Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Looking for a quick summer getaway from the city that doesn't involve crowded beaches? Here are two great options.

Adapted from El Comercio

NOR YAUYOS-COCHAS RESERVE: Serene Valleys and Gorges

The Reserva Paisajística Nor Yauyos-Cochas has a natural beauty composed of canyons, waterfalls and snowy mountains on the shores of the river Cañete. In this place, located southeast of Lima, the visitors will find deep valleys and gorges with beautiful lakes, such as Wayo, where they can fish for trout. Other activities that are ideal there are hang gliding, paragliding, rock climbing, canoeing, hiking and mountain biking.

The weather in the area is hot and this is the best time to visit because there is no rain. However, at night the temperature drops considerably. The local cuisine offers dishes based on trout, as well as Pachamanca, barley Patasca, fried guinea pig with beans and cheese with potatoes.

To get there from Lima: Take the South Panamerican Highway to Cañete and then take the detour to Lunahuaná (from there, it is a three hour drive approx.). You can stay in the Yauyos Lodge: yauyoslodgeperu.com. To travel by bus, call: 339-3563.

MARCAHUASI: Amongst Giant Rocks

Arriving in San Pedro de Casta in Huarochiri you breathe in clean air. It is a humble place, with adobe houses and very friendly people, accustomed to receiving tourists who leave for Marcahuasi. There we bought everything we needed for the journey.

We took off on horseback; others do it on foot or donkey. We left the village behind and shortly after entering the reserve, the first place that catches our attention is the amphitheater: a rock formation that protects hikers (who choose to camp there) from the wind. When we began to feel the height and vegetation was scarce, we arrived at the Fortress, a strange formation that looks like a grand temple. Then, we found a huge 35 meters high wall called Las Mayoralas, until we reached the most striking natural sculpture, Monument to Humanity, which resembles a human profile.

The theories that have been woven around this place vary: from formations due to wind and erosion, until the Daniel Ruzo’s hypothesis, which says that members of the Masma culture built these forms over 10,000 years ago. One can walk through a part of Marcahuasi in one day, but camping is advisable to take it easy.

How to Get There From Lima: The fare to Chosica is S/.4.50.
From Chosica. The bus to San Pedro de Casta charges S/.10. The trip lasts 4 hours.
Entry. You must pay S/.10 to enter.
Transport. Renting a donkey or horse costs between S/.13 and S/.20.
How to Get There. Go along the Central Highway and take the detour for Santa Eulalia. After crossing the Autisha bridge you will find San Pedro de Casta

Translated from Spanish by Diana Schwalb

tags : Nor Yauyos-Cochas, Lima, Peru Marcahuasi

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7 Comments

# Josef Baz says :
23 January, 2010 [ 09:26 ]

Nice article. Specially the one about Yauyos. I would like to coment though, that I beleived that the rainy season in the sierras, was from November, until April. So, is this really a good time to visit ? Also, anyone knows, how is the road condition ?
cheers

# Pabel Alvarado says :
24 January, 2010 [ 01:17 ]

Beauty picture and great article, I would like to visit places like Yauyos Conchas and Marcahuasi in my free time. 

Thanks Diana Schwalb to share with us this article.

# david palomino meneses says :
10 February, 2010 [ 06:08 ]

Well I found this web page and I think that´s u great for me
thanks so much for the information

# TOM says :
3 May, 2010 [ 05:08 ]

Can anybody tell me about temperatures in MARCAHUASI at night? (in June)

Tom

# Joshua says :
14 September, 2010 [ 09:26 ]

@ TOM: The temperatures at Marcahuasi at night are extreme.  I would venture they are well below freezing.  My party and I were completely unprepared for this, and despite sleeping in all of our clothes (which included multiple layers) and double socks, one of us actually contracted hypothermia and all four of us were concerned about frostbite on our toes (which had completely lost feeling around midnight). Please be careful and pack your gear accordingly. Nontheless, this is a spectacular place and despite the harrowing bus journey and nearly freezing to death, we had a smashing time. Not for the faint of heart ;-)

# dan says :
31 May, 2011 [ 10:57 ]

Your not alone Joshua lol! I was there last weekend completely unprepared. I stayed at Daniel Russo's abandoned cabin with three layers of pants and one sweater over my thin shirt. I never slept for the whole night with my cousin who had 3 sweaters (a dumb and dumber moment later occurred) Anyways long story short, I ended up having to unfortunately spoon with my cousin to keep warm throughout the night and breathing under my sweater as well as closing my sleeves and bringing my arms inside my clothing to constantly create friction for heat was what saved me other wise i'd have ended up a dead icycle. Be prepared with more than 3 layers of clothing including socks and be sure to have wind proof equipment because the wind and altitude is what drops the temperature to -20

# Neil says :
15 June, 2011 [ 03:01 ]

What about carrying a -1° sleepeng bag?
Could that work?

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