Lunahuana

Lunahuana is a river valley town centered on its Plaza de Armas in Canete Province, about 150 km south of central Lima in Peru. The trip takes roughly 2.5 to 3 hours by bus or car. Buses run from Lima to Canete, including Soyuz, and a colectivo continues up the Canete river valley to Lunahuana, with the total cost about S/ 20-35. A private taxi or rental car makes it easier to reach wineries and rafting outfitters spread along the valley. The valley is known for its pisco bodegas, vineyards, river rafting, fishing restaurants and adventure activities. Visitors can tour small pisco producers, sample pisco and wine, and see how grapes are turned into spirits. Rafting runs on the Canete river, with the season generally strongest between December and April when water levels are higher, and companies typically operate daily from about 9AM to 5PM. Other activities include kayaking, cycling, quad biking and zip lines. A full day from Lima starts with a departure around 6:30AM, arrival in the valley before 10AM, a rafting session or bodega tour in the morning, a lunch of river shrimp, known locally as camarones, and other regional dishes at one of the valley restaurants, and an afternoon of pisco tasting or a walk in the plaza before an early evening return. Camarones are a local specialty in season, and dishes often include causa, ceviche and fried fish. The best rafting season is December to April, while the rest of the year is drier and quieter, good for tastings and walking. Because distances between activities can be substantial, a taxi hired for the day is practical. Sun protection, swimwear for rafting and cash for small venues are useful, and the return journey should be planned around the last colectivos and buses.