This past weekend the 2018 edition of the iconic Dakar Rally got underway in Peru, sending drivers off on one of the most challenging and difficult motorized races in the entire world. The event is always a test of stamina, skill, determination, pushing competitors to their absolute limits. The video below takes a look at what to expect from the race, which is 12 days in length and starts in Lima, Peru, and finishes in Cordoba, Argentina. As always, it looks to be quite the adventure.
Showing posts with label Peru. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peru. Show all posts
Video: The Rhythms of Peru
For many people, the first thought that comes to mind when you think of Peru is Machu Picchu, the mountaintop fortress that was built by the Inca. That place is indeed spectacular, but the country has so much more to offer. From snowcapped peaks in the Andes to the Amazon Basin, Peru is a country filled with opportunities for adventure. In this video, we travel there to get a look at these places first hand, leaving the more well-trodden places behind to explore other destinations far off the tourist track.
RHYTHMS OF PERU from Nathaniel Connella on Vimeo.
Video: The Boiling River of the Amazon
For decades explorers and researchers heard stories of a boiling river that existed deep within the Amazon, but no one was able to locate it to verify its existence. However, geothermal scientist Andrés Ruzo went in search of the place and found it. With waters hot enough to kill a human being, this place holds a mystical presence amongst the indigenous people that inhabit the area, and as you'll see in the video below, it is one of the most amazing natural wonders imaginable. It is also coming under increased threat from loggers and developers, so now Ruzo fights to protect it as well.
The Mystical Boiling River of the Amazon from Great Big Story on Vimeo.
Video: Machu Picchu 101 with National Geographic
Machu Picchu is one of the most famous and visited ancient sites in the entire world, and if you haven't seen it yet, it needs to be on your bucket list. Still, there is a lot to learn about this place, and this video from National Geographic can help us understand what makes it so special. The short clip talks about the history of Machu Picchu, what it meant to the Inca people, and why it is so fascinating even to this day.
Video: Drones Over Peru
The stunning and diverse landscapes of Peru are on display in this video, which was shot using a drone to get some of the best vantage points possible. In the short clip you'll see mountain, canyons, deserts, and other spectacular vistas. If you're needing an escape from the daily grind today, sit back and enjoy this clip. It is four minutes of bliss.
High Above Peru from Andreas Giesen on Vimeo.
Video: Unclimbed - Reaching the Summit in the Himalaya (Part 5)
Discovery Channel Canada has released the latest episode of its Unclimbed series, which follows mountaineers Gabriel Filippi, Elia Saikaly, and Pasang Kaji Sherpa as they attempt to make several first ascents in the Himalaya this fall. In this episode, Gabriel and Elia travel to Peru to continue their preparation for the challenges they'll face in Nepal. This training expedition is overshadowed a bit by a previous attempt in the Andes, with the ghosts of that past climb impacting their current situation. If you've been watching this ongoing series, you'll definitely want to catch up with the team in this latest installment.
Adventurers to Attempt Atlantic to the Pacific Crossing of Amazon
The duo, who are planning on starting the expedition today, hope to create a four-part documentary series about their journey, which will look at the way various changes to their environment is impacting the lives of the Amazon people. Severe deforestation, climate change, and other factors have become a severe threat to the lifestyle of these tribes, potentially ending a way of life that has existed relatively unchanged for centuries.
Reza and Pip will be traveling by bike and boat across the Amazon. They'll start at the mouth of the mighty Amazon River in Belem in Brazil and eventually ending in Lima, Peru. Most of the journey will be done on bike (both are accomplished adventure cyclists), but they will take a boat up the Purus River in order to cross one very remote section of the route.
Dubbed the Transamazonica expedition, the plan is to follow a road of the same name that was built in the 70's to help open travel and commercialization of the rainforest. That road covers some 4000 km (2485 miles), and has been a major boon for companies who have logged and developed the Amazon Rainforest. The hope is that this expedition will help raise awareness of the challenges that are currently faced by the people living in the rainforest basin, which is undergoing significant changes.
It should certainly be interesting to follow Reza and Pip's adventure, which you can do on both of their websites linked above.
Video: Explorer Louis-Philippe Loncke Discusses Lake Titicaca Exepdtion At TEDxFlanders
Last year, explorer Louis-Philippe Loncke, along with Gadiel Sanchez Rivera aka "Cho", spent 38 days circumnavigating Lake Titicaca by kayak. That body of water, which falls on the border of Peru and Bolivia, is considered the highest navigable lake in the world, and yet no one had ever completely paddled its shores before. Recently, Lou-Phi appeared at TEDxFlanders to share his story about that expedition. The video below is his presentation. It offers all kinds of insights into what they found on their journey, and the logistics of kayaking in the Andes.
Video: The Wonder List Visits Machu Picchu
CNN produces a television show called The Wonder List, which takes viewers around the globe to visit some of the most interesting and iconic places on our planet, while telling stories of interesting people, cultures, and locations. For those of us who love travel, it is an interesting escape on a weekly basis. But thanks to the elections process here in the U.S., the final episode won't air for awhile yet. So, we get a preview of that episode in this wonderful video, that takes us to Peru on a journey to Machu Picchu. As you can imagine, the sights along the way are spectacular.
The Wonder List: Peru - Behind The Shot from Philip Bloom Reviews & Tutorials on Vimeo.
Video: Scenes From Machu Picchu
One of the most spectacular displays of ancient architecture found anywhere in the world, the mountain fortress of Machu Picchu needs little introduction. But this beautiful video takes us high into the Peruvian Andes to share some amazing views of this spectacular place. The wonderful music gives the clip a tranquil feeling that makes it a joy to watch, so just sit back and take it all in.
And if you haven't been fortunate enough to visit Machu Picchu yourself just yet, my friends at Mountain Travel Sobek can make that journey are a reality. Check out all of their options for visiting Peru and start thinking about your own adventure in the Andes.
Machu Picchu from irenaVision on Vimeo.
And if you haven't been fortunate enough to visit Machu Picchu yourself just yet, my friends at Mountain Travel Sobek can make that journey are a reality. Check out all of their options for visiting Peru and start thinking about your own adventure in the Andes.
Video: Urban Mountain Biking Through the Streets of Cusco, Peru
We all love a good mountain bike video. It's always fun to watch someone bombing down an amazing trail or riding along a beautiful ridge. This video is not like that, although it is a lot of fun none the less. In this case, we follow pro riders Aaron Chase and Chris Van Dan as they take to the streets of Cusco, Peru on what has to be one of the gnarliest urban rides ever put down on film. It is 3+ minutes of these two men taking their bikes to some pretty unique places. Strap yourself in for this one, it's a lot of fun.
Video: Traveling Along La Ruta de los Gringos in Peru
Peru is a country with a surprising number of unique environments and landscapes. Ranging from the dense Amazon Rainforest to stark deserts, to the snowcapped peaks of the Andes, it is a land of startling contrasts. All of those settings, and more, are captured nicely in this video, which was shot over a three-week journey through the South American country. It is a wonderful travelogue that documents all of the fantastic things to see and do there, reminding us why Peru is a top destination with adventure travelers the world over.
Perú - La ruta de los gringos from Guillaume JUIN on Vimeo.
Russia's MiG hopes to sign contract with Peru on advanced MiG-35 fighter supplies
Russia’s aircraft manufacturer RSK-MiG hopes to sign a contract with Peru on supplies of advanced MiG-35 fighter jets, the corporation’s director-general, Sergei Korotkov, said on Monday.“We hope that Peru will purchase new jets. This is our priority. Now they are working out this issue because they understand that the aircraft manufactured 20-26 years ago end the service due to service life rate," Korotkov said.
He declined to specify when the contract might be signed. Korotkov said the contract would include “more than 10 jets”.Peru is considering proposals from several countries, he said, adding that it had rejected several ones to “more closely” study the MiG’s.This year the corporation will conclude a deal for upgrading the second batch of MiG-29 fighters, Korotkov said.According to open sources’ data, at present, Peru’s Armed Forces have 15 MiG-29 fighters of modified versions. All jets were manufactured at the end of 1980’s.The MiG-35C fighter jet is a fourth-generation multirole aircraft and a further development of the MiG-29K and MiG-29M.
Video: Machu Picchu in 4K!
4K continues to be all the buzz in video. For those who don't know, it is a much higher standard of resolution than what we currently get with HD video, and while it naturally creates massive file sizes, it also captures images in stunning clarity. The video below was shot using a 4K camera. It is 4+ minutes of splendor shot in Peru, particularly around the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. The results are quite spectacular. I personally can't wait until I can start viewing these videos in 4K myself. Really impressive stuff.
Video: A Mountain Biking Adventure In Peru
Mountain biking films don't come much prettier than this one. It is 13 minutes of pure bliss, show off a spectacular riding adventure in Peru. If this doesn't want you to get out of your chair, and on to your bike, I don't know what will.
Thanks for sharing Kate!
Thanks for sharing Kate!
France, Peru Sign Bilateral Agreement for Airbus Spy Satellite
Peru's defense ministry has awarded a contract to Airbus Defence and Space for construction and launch of Lima's first Earth observation satellite, according to the French defense ministry.
The bilateral agreement signed April 24 between Peru and France covers supply of the optical high-resolution spacecraft, a ground control segment for data reception and image processing, as well as a comprehensive training program.
Peru's investment in the project amounts to €150 million ($207 million). The satellite is expected to be launched in 2016.
France says the deal has been in the works since November 2013, when Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian met with Peruvian President Ollanta Humala during a visit to Lima.
“The willingness of France to develop the strategic partnership with Peru has been the subject of ongoing contacts between the two governments,” the French defense ministry said in an April 24 statement, citing a May 2013 visit to Peru by Kader Arif, head of France's ministry of veterans affairs.
Video: Mountain Biking Peru, GoPro Style
If you need further proof that the mountain biking in Peru is spectacular, than look no further than this video. It features Ali Goulet, Chris Van Dine and Aaron Chase on an adventure in the South American country that was captured on GoPro of course. The 4-minute clip is a bit older, but still a fantastic look at mountain biking in the Andes.
New Farthest Source Of The Amazon Discovered
Since 1971, the Apurimac River has been considered the furthest source of the Amazon, and many explorers and adventurers have operated in the region under that assumption. According to this new report however, the Mantaro River, located in southwest Peru, now holds that distinction.
The researchers who have asserted that the Mantaro is the new source used satellite imagery and topographic maps to study the Amazon and it's numerous tributaries. With GPS tracking points, the team determined that the Mantaro is actually about 10% longer than the Apurimac, which would make the furthest source.
But as I mentioned, there is some controversy afoot. The Mantaro doesn't flow for parts of the year, thanks to a dam that was built in 1974. When defining a "source," most geographers feel that a river must flow uninterrupted. The researchers behind this new finding say that the Mantaro would flow all year if it wasn't for the dam.
Does it really matter where the true source is located? Most would probably say no. But if you're one of the many adventurers who has attempted to travel the length of the river, or explored the Amazon Basin, it means quite a lot. This revelation could invalidate certain past expeditions that paddled the entire river for instance.
Personally, I happen to enjoy that we're still discovering things about our own planet. It is stories like this one that remind us that exploration is important, even in the 21st century. Now, who wants to be the first to go upstream and actually visit the source? I'm in!
Video: A Mountain Biking Adventure In Peru
If you're looking for yet another reason to visit Peru, check out this fantastic video which was shot on GoPro cameras by friends Ali Goulet, Chris Van Dine and Aaron Chase. The three men recenly visited the South American country where they had a chance to ride some gnarly mountain biking trails while interacting with the local culture. The result was this fine short film that may inspire you to want to follow in their tire tread.
Amazon Express Update: End In Sight
According to their latest dispatch, West and company are expected to reach Belem, the last major city before the end of the paddle, on Monday, December 3. Belem sits approximately 77 miles (123 km) up river from the point where the Amazon empties into the Atlantic. At this point, they don't expect to pull into the city at all, but instead paddle past it. Taking their current speed into account, it seems likely that they will then wrap up the expedition on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week at the very latest. By the time they are done, they'll have kayaked in excess of 4000 miles (6437 km) through some of the most remote and isolated regions on Earth.
These past few weeks have not been particularly easy ones for the team. As they've paddled further down the river, the current has gotten slower, making it more difficult to cover adequate mileage each day. On top of that, the conditions have gotten windier, which always makes paddling tougher, and they are now dealing with the effects of tides as well. As a result, they're only managing about 3-3.5 mph (4.8-5.6 km/h) in the mornings. In the afternoons the winds die down, allowing them to go faster, but that is also when the tides are at their highest, so that time of day presents its own set of challenges. Needless to say, it has been exhausting work and the crew is ready to finish up and head home.
It looks like next week they'll get to do exactly that.