El Valle de Majes is a little-explored setting, but with an exquisite tourist potential that translates into archaeological remains, the beauty of its countryside, a pisco route and the adrenaline rush that rafting promises.
The wonders of Arequipa are not limited to the circuit in its old town or trekking in the Colca or a summer vacation on the beaches of Camaná, because the region has much more to offer and the Majes Valley proves it.
The panorama is a fruitful land where corn and rice grow. But the grape plantations are the ones that take over the landscape and its harvest is the base of the Arequipa pisco of pure strain. A total of 14 wineries make up the valley, so it is essential to visit the classics La Tinaja de Oro, Monje Blanco or Majes Tradición.
However, one of the greatest treasures is in the town of Uraca-Corire, where more than 2,500 stone blocks –in an area of 5 km2– were carved by the Wari civilization. Carved with geometric motifs, as well as birds and fish, they are part of the Toro Muerto petroglyphs. The entrance? S/ 5. But there are more findings. In the neighboring town of Aplao, dinosaur footprints up to 90 cm – and other fossils – are etched into the ground.
The Jurassic Park of Querullpa exhibits sculptures of gigantic reptiles on a real scale and in fiberglass. And for the brave, canoeing is enjoyed with its grade II and III rapids. These are just a few reasons to break with the traditional itinerary in Arequipa