Dakar 2012 Hits Arequipa, Peru this Thursday!!
1.5 million people are expected to visit Peru during the final legs of the Dakar Rally, which began on Jan 1st in Argentina’s Mar del Plata and will end in Lima’s main square, the Plaza de Armas. An estimated 500,000 spectators are expected to gather during the Peruvian part of the route.
The Course
Why all the excitement? The Dakar Rally 
(formerly the Paris to Dakar Rally) is an off-road endurance automobile race that has taken place annually since 1978 and is open to both professionals and amateurs. Each day riders tackle 500 to 560 miles of tough terrain replete with dunes, rocks, camel grass, and more. This year’s race will pass through Peru for the first time! Riders will race for over 9,000km through Argentina, Chile and Peru, crossing from the shores of the Atlantic to the Pacific in a period of 14 days.
After the grand start in Argentina, riders, drivers, and crews raced through dunes, canyons, and the formidable Andes before reaching Chile. In Chile the racers have been continuing along a route between the ocean and Andean Range, tackling the dunes of the Atacama Desert, the world’s driest. They’ll be in Peruvian territory between Jan 12th and 15th 2012.
1st Peruvian Stop: Arequipa
100 million spectators worldwide will turn 
their eyes on Arequipa this Thursday and the Dakar comes racing in! They will spend the night in Arequipa on Jan 12th in a 9ha camp. In fact, camps have been implemented in the principle stops of the race- Nazca, Pisco, and Lima- meant to promote the regions’ gastronomy as well as culture through shows.
The course is kept secret for as long as possible so that the competitors cannot prepare for its challenges as happens in other off-road races. Thus, public spectator zones are generally announced a couple of days before on the race’s official page.
So far, we know Arequipa will have four observation points on January 12th and 13th to be able to watch the 400 vehicles and motorcycles pass: The first point is located on Kilometer 19 of the Uchumayo, the second in the town of San José an hour from the city of Arequipa, where you can watch the vehicles pass from midday Thursday 12th. The third is located on Kilometer 18 of the Access Road to Matarani (in Islay Province two hours from the city of Arequipa) a privileged point from which people can watch the racers pass from 11:00am to 11:00pm. Finally the fourth point is in Tanaca, in Caravelí province, where one can see vehicles pass on Friday, January 13th from 4pm on.
Spectators are advised to avoid dangerous zones such as curves and mechanic stops, and always stay behind the security barriers. Go early to find an ideal spot- an elevated site of some distance to the track are idea.
While You’re In Sunny Arequipa…
Not only does Pirwa Park Hostel Arequipa 
offer you comfortable and economical lodging during your stay (why yes, that is us to the left!), but our travel agency Pirwa Travel Service also operates a variety of excursions. Intrepid adventures can climb the three glacial peaks of Chachani Volcano or to the crater of sandy and iconic El Misti Volcano, or even downhill bike along its slopes! Are the volcanoes not extreme enough for you? Arequipa also boasts the worlds deepest canyons, Colca Canyon and Colca Canyon, where you can watch the massive condors soaring, trek along original Inca trails, soak in the hot springs, or even raft the forceful rapids which carved these geological wonders!
If you’re looking for a more tranquil adventure, watch the graceful grazing vicuña of the Cañahuas Plains, explore the Toro Muerto Petroglyphs, or visit the serene Santa Catalina Convent complex. Tour the famously distinct mestizo-baroque architecture of Arequipa, rendered in volcanic sillar rock, stopping to see the famous Ice Maiden mummy, an incredibly preserved adolescent Inca sacrifice. The Pirwa Travel Service team is anxious to show you all that Arequipa has to offer, with tours and excursions to suit every taste!