1.5 million people are expected to visit Peru during the final legs of the Dakar Rally, which began on Jan 1^st 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 12^th 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 12^th. 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 13^th 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!

Going in (Relative) Comfort

Flying carries little backpacker street cred, and buses are so much more affordable, so during your travel planning stage it’s probably occurred to you that you’ll be taking a bus or two as you hop from city to city. With more expensive companies like Cruz del Sur, you can look forward to some help during your twenty-hour sit-fest: snacks, some coffee or tea, blankets and pillows, movies. But for those of you opting for budget buses or mid-range options, make sure to pack smart, because this is where you’ll test your backpacker mettle:

• Toiletries There’s usually a stop along the way designed for you to be able to stretch your legs and buy overpriced food and snacks. This is your chance to bust out your soap and toothbrush so that you can
  

  

  arrive in your destination city in a slightly-less-shameful state. For the rest stop and for the bus bathroom, bring your own toilet paper. In fact, for almost anywhere you go, bring your own toilet paper, because if you’re backpacking, it won’t be anywhere that you are.

• Small Bag This is where you store the things you don’t want to worry about losing, in a bag small enough to fit under the seat. There’ll be storage for larger bags.
• Ear Plugs I like to go to bed very late or wake up very early before traveling (oh fine, I have to do this because I don’t pack), because the more I can sleep on the bus the faster it’ll go. If there are movies you can sit back and let the western movies and 80’s action flicks make the time pass. If not, consider earplugs, because hours upon hours of Andean music can grate after a while no matter what your tastes.
• Change for Snacks/Rest Stop Bathrooms No one wants to change your bills, so bring coins and avoid the hassle.
• Clothing for All Weather Since many trips are in the 12-20 hour range, you’ll be treated to hot days and cold nights. My first bus in Peru was Lima to Cusco with a roof-top window that couldn’t close…friendly local passengers better prepared than I offered a blanket to help me through it. During subsequent trips I prepared for the worst with sweaters galore and was treated to a sauna. Prepare for both extremes, and if you bought some Andean blankets or such for souvenirs, this is a good time to have them with you.
• Snacks and Drinks Some buses will give you snacks, some won’t. Regardless, take some things with you if you’re not up for buying papas rellenas and other street fare during bus stops. (Remember if you’re not accustomed to local food yet, you might be apt to get ill from food bought off street vendors, as someone who’s gotten food poisoning several times and in several varieties, I can attest that the 20-hour trip makes it all that much worse.

Remember that Pirwa Hostels have in-house travel agencies in every local, so if you need help choosing a company or planning your routes, feel free to stop by and get some information. Pirwa has hostels and B&Bs in Lima, Arequipa, Cusco, Nazca, Machu Picchu, and Puno, and for those of you traveling around the country there are deals for staying with us throughout- For example, if you stay with us in each of our cities, you’ll get a free night’s stay in whichever of those cities you choose! Check our page to keep up to date on our promotions.