How to Spend 24 Hours in Lunahuana, Peru

Rio Cañete
Rio Cañete | © Pete Cable / Flickr
Brandon Dupre

Lunahuana is a small town in the south of Peru that has gained a reputation as one of Peru’s most desirable locations for thrill-seekers. Don’t let the small town fool you. There are enough outdoor activities to keep you busy for a week, so jamming it all into a day may not be possible. Whatever you do in your time here, make it one of the following unmissable activities.

River run

If you come during Peru’s summer months of December through March, when the country gets the most rain, the river that runs past the town gets pretty epic and has some of the best rapids anywhere in the country. The river has sections from class five to three and is perfect for beginners and experts alike. There are a number of tour operators in the area with plenty of experience and quality gear. Whether it’s your first time or your most recent time, river running is always fun. It’s a great idea to do this in the morning when the sun is not as strong, and you’ll have the rest of the day to explore the town.

Lunahuana has some of the best rafting in Peru

Ziplining

Ziplining Lunahuana

Pisco and wine tasting

After an adventure-filled day, you’re going to want to sit down and chill, which is where the pisco and wine tasting come in. The area further south of Lunahuana has some of best pisco and wine in Peru, and there a couple of vineyards near Lunahuana that offer artisanal wine and pisco tasting in a relaxed atmosphere. The vineyards aren’t as crowded as the ones you’ll find in Ica, which makes them more personable and relaxing, the perfect way to spend your evening.

Lunahuana has vineyards to visit

Inca ruins

If you can’t wait until Cusco to check out some Inca ruins, or you’d rather skip some of the more adventurous options on offer, look no further than the Incahuasi ruins on the outskirts of Lunahuana. The site is largely overlooked and offers most visitors a crowd-free look at a mostly intact Inca ruin. The ruins were once an Inca military base and date back to the 15th century. You can rent bikes and ride to the ruins, or take a taxi.

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