The Minister of Foreign Commerce and Tourism, Eduardo Ferreyros, led the Peruvian delegation that met in Paris for the presentation of the 2018 Dakar Rally, which will celebrate its 40th edition and will have Lima as its starting point on January 6th.
"The Dakar Rally will return to Peru to the delight of its participants and fans worldwide. I am here representing a happy country that will welcome you with open arms and will host you during six stages in the cities of Lima, Pisco, San Juan de Marcona, Arequipa and Puno", said Ferreyros.
The Dakar Rally, the most important rally raid in the world, will tour the south of Peru. Participants will have to show their skill and dexterity in the challenging stretches offered by the Peruvian geography, from the heat of the dunes on the coast, through the valleys of the Andes and up to the height of the plateau at 4,000 meters above sea level.
The starting point will take place from the only capital city in South America that has access to the Pacific Ocean and it will end on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Those attending this race will see with their own eyes the natural wonders that Peru offers.
Lima will be the starting point of the race, just like happened in 2013. Participants will be able to take advantage of the city to adapt to the time zone and to be ready for January 6th, when the race starts. To do that, they could go to the three restaurants on the list of The World's 50 Best Restaurants, which are in this city. In addition, they can visit places such as the center of the city -UNESCO heritage- and do activities such as paragliding over the cliffs of Miraflores. Bars in Barranco are a good place to end a hard day's work.
The second destination of the Dakar will be the city of Pisco. This place is well known for the wineries where Pisco is prepared, Peruvian flag drink made from 100% grape. Another reason why Pisco is famous is because of its dunes. The desert gets lost on the horizon and is the ideal place to do sports such as sandboarding or riding in buggies. For nature lovers, visiting the Paracas National Reserve and the Ballestas Islands is an experience that cannot be missed.
The great desert of Pisco joins San Juan de Marcona's desert, at the southern end of the Ica region. On the way to this port city you can visit the Lagoon of Huacachina, a natural oasis surrounded by palm trees. On the other hand, San Juan de Marcona is very close to the mysterious Nasca Lines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. Another great attraction is the gastronomy of the area. The great variety of dishes and the richness of the Peruvian seafood make food a delight for tourists.
Arequipa will be the next stop of the 2018 Dakar Rally. This beautiful department in southern Peru has attractive beaches for visitors during January and February. Also, the city is located at the foot of the Misti volcano, and its houses made of ashlar help people recognized Arequipa as the 'White City'. With impressive natural landscapes, it also has one of the deepest canyons in the world: Colca. All this, as well as a rich regional cuisine, make this a unique destination for travelers.
Before leaving Peru, the race will go through Puno. This city is one of the most visited by foreigners, who are amazed by its ancient customs, its dances, crafts and the impressive Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, at about 4,000 meters above sea level. Participants will farewell to Peru after going through the dunes of the coast, the mountains of the Andes and the cold Peruvian highlands. It will be a fascinating and unique experience for visitors
Dakar Route 2018 in Peru:
1st stage: January 6 / Lima - Pisco
2nd stage: January 7 / Pisco - Pisco
3rd stage: January 8 / Pisco - San Juan de Marcona
4th stage: January 9 / San Juan de Marcona - San Juan de Marcona
5th stage: January 10 / San Juan de Marcona - Arequipa
6th stage: January 11 / Arequipa - La Paz (via Puno)