Left: Taullicocha lagoon at the Santa Cruz trekking route, Ancash
According to the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), revenues increased for 73% of tour operators in 2024, signalling renewed stability across the sector. For PROMPERÚ, this reinforces the importance of positioning adventure tourism as a strategic pillar for Peru’s tourism development, with a focus on diversification, higher-value travel and sustainability. From hard to soft adventure PROMPERÚ’s latest profile of international adventure travellers highlights clear demand trends. Trekking, hiking and mountaineering remain core pillars, with participation in trekking and hiking rising to 90% in 2024, up from 78% in 2019. Mountaineering has also seen strong growth, increasing from 27% to 54%, while high-altitude mountaineering rose from 18% to 54%, underlining Peru’s growing appeal among travellers seeking physically demanding experiences. At the same time, soft-adventure activities continue to gain traction. Boat excursions attract 42% of adventure travellers, while camping and glamping reach 17%, reflecting demand for experiences that combine nature, comfort and accessibility. Nature-based experiences show particularly strong growth. Visits to natural areas and reserves reached 96%, while wildlife observation continues to rise. Mammal observation increased from 35% to 61%, birdwatching from 45% to 48%, and flora observation from 35% to 45%. Activities linked to rivers, lakes and waterfalls now engage 70% of adventure travellers, highlighting a shift towards immersive, biodiverse environments. Peru’s 78 protected natural areas, including Paracas, Tambopata and Pacaya Samiria National Reserves, and Manu National Park, play a central role in this offer. They enable travellers to explore pristine ecosystems while learning about conservation efforts led by communities and the national protected areas authority. Adventure in Peru, Velásquez notes, is “deeply connected to environmental protection and cultural respect”.
Promoting adventure & nature In response to the demand upswing, PROMPERÚ is ploughing investment into adventure and nature, with a “360-degree strategy” including “promotional campaigns, participating in specialised fairs, business conferences, as well as organising press trips and familiarisation trips focused on this segment”, says Velásquez. Developed in close collaboration with public and private-sector partners, initiatives focus on high-value experiences
such as trekking and high-mountain climbing in Áncash; marine wildlife observation in Piura and Ica; rainforest exploration and birdwatching in Amazonas, Madre de Dios and Loreto; and surfing in Piura, Tumbes and La Libertad. Key source markets for these activities, Velásquez notes, include the US, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Australia and Latin America, particularly Brazil, Chile and Argentina. Sports tourism also plays an increasingly important role, with Peru participating in international events linked to trail running, cycling and surfing, including the Andes Race, Ultra Trail Cordillera Blanca, BikingMan and Beyond the Ultimate, as well as the World Surfing Conservation Conference 2026. Peru’s long-term growth strategy for adventure tourism is grounded in sustainability. Promotion prioritises operators with recognised authorisations, certifications and strong sustainability practices, ensuring quality, safety and responsible travel. Initiatives such as Law No. 27280 (Ley de Rompientes), which protects the waves along the Peruvian coast, further support the sustainability of surfing and marine activities. Several adventure and nature destinations, including Huascarán National Park, Paracas National Reserve and the Titicaca National Reserve, hold the Green Destinations seal, while sites such as Manu and Huascarán National Parks, Chan Chan and the Nasca Lines carry UNESCO World Heritage status. Together, these efforts are helping Peru to consolidate an adventure tourism offering that benefits local communities, protects natural and cultural heritage, and delivers authentic, responsible experiences aligned with evolving global travel demand.
TOP 5 MUST-DO PERU
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (Cusco): A world-class journey blending high-altitude trekking, archaeology and breathtaking Andean landscapes. Huayhuash Mountain Range (Ancash): With glacial lakes, snow-capped peaks (6,000+ metres high), and challenging multi-day routes, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Trekking in the Colca Canyon (Arequipa): One of the deepest canyons on the planet, known for its Andean condors, multi-day descents, and dramatic volcanic landscapes. Wildlife encounters in the Peruvian Amazon: Spotting pink dolphins in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve (Loreto) or macaws in the clay licks of Tambopata National Reserve (Madre de Dios). Kayaking in Lake Titicaca (Puno): A unique activity to explore the highest navigable lake in the world from a different perspective.
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