In Huarochirí you can see its beautiful natural landscapes. Among its main attractions are:
Archaeological remains and Huanano waterfall: the Huanano Machay archaeological complex is made up of stone constructions in the form of caverns and underground passageways. The Huanano waterfall has a beautiful free fall of approximately 30 m. Palakala Waterfall: impressive waterfalls. The walk can take approximately three hours.
The province of Huarochirí is located in the department and region of Lima. This was initially baptized with the name of Santa María de Jesús de Huarochirí at the time of the Colony. Before the Conquest, Huarochirí was divided into four ayllus belonging to the Hanan Yauyos that were subdued during the Inca expansion of Pachacútec.
The two most important archaeological sites in the province of Huarochirí are the Marcahuasi plateau, with the three citadels that, according to archaeologist Julio Cesar Tello, belonged to the Huanca culture, and the City of Chuya, located in Chaclla. During the Colony, most of its territory included the jurisdiction of the corregimiento of Huarochirí.
Among its main magistrates are: Diego de Carvajal Vargas y Marroquín, Diego de Ayala y Contreras (1612), Antonio Barreto de Castro, Francisco Álvarez Gato (1699), Martín Zamudio de las Infantas.
In Huarochirí, the climate is harsh and cold, characterized by dominance of solid precipitation (hailstorms, snowfall), negative temperatures (up to 25 degrees below zero) and a very dry atmosphere, with strong winds.
However, despite these inclemencies, it is a paradise for mountaineering entrepreneurs and the place where the condor, the largest bird on the planet, rules.
At the tourist level, the province of Huarochirí has interesting attractions such as:
Marcahuasi is a rock formation that dates back many years, the exact date is not available, but what is known as the best landscape of all is available, its environment is one of the freshest in the area, it is possible to do ecotourism and the joy of the different rocky spaces to camp and spend the afternoon contemplating these formations made by the wind and water.
It is a nice place for an afternoon in the company of loved ones, to walk a bit and contemplate what years of training have left over time, the climate is a bit intense, therefore it is advisable to bring a good sunscreen, glasses and if necessary a hat.
Also known as angel whistle, the Huanano waterfall is a small waterfall on the green zone of Huarochirí, at the end it makes a small well where some people can cool off a bit in the same waters, the important thing is that they wear appropriate clothing to take a good bath, the sound it gives off and the spray produced by the air make the environment very fresh and pleasant.
It has become common for visitors to want to take a bath in its waters, therefore and as a recommendation, it is worth taking a good cloth, bathing suit and change clothes, of course the camera, cannot be missing.
It is considered a work of local architecture, the main church is built on solid ground, with stone walls and a waving national flag, this church is one of the most beautiful in the same town, all kinds of masses are celebrated there, for saints, sick and for the protection of the people.
Its well-preserved garden is one of the most valued tourist attractions, since there is not a single visitor who can't wait to take a photo in front of it to take home the memory of the visit to the church and, of course, the blessing. of God.
The canyon is a rocky opening several meters high where it drops a beautiful and striking waterfall as well as a loud waterfall, forming a small lake rich for showering. This canyon is one of the most sought after for its easy access, for the freshness of its waters and especially for how clean it is.
To visit this canyon it is essential that travelers bring swimsuits, towels, clothes to change into, some food and above all the desire to enjoy, without leaving aside the need for a camera to capture the great views and beauties of the place. This canyon in turn has jungle spaces where you can easily do ecotourism if the visitor wishes.
Leaving a little from the natural to enter the cultural, the town has the house of the puppeteer available, a small house where two people with a long artistic career make a presentation with puppets made by themselves, the cost of entry varies, for adults between 8 to 10 soles, and for children it goes between 5 soles, depending on the age of the visitor.
The functions are diverse, sometimes they are presented until Sundays, to be more sure, the hours are from Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until 2 p.m. Those who have gone to their presentations have not had any complaints since they have a great time watching a show full of laughter.
he city of Matucana is one of the few Lima cities that still preserves in its territory, a good portion of natural settings that can be visited.
The district of Matucana, located in the province of Huarochirí, is located at about 2,398 meters above sea level. It has a dry and temperate climate. Its lands are fertile, and corn, wheat, barley, oregano and broad beans are grown there. In this town, you will be able to locate the Antankallo Waterfall, where the traveler can enjoy a bath in the open air, while observing the panorama.
Matucana offers the different natural scenarios that it presents, above all, for adventure tourism since its geographical features allow the practice of trekking, mountain biking, camping, rock climbing, among others. One of the main natural attractions of Matucana is the Antankallo Waterfall, which is reached after passing through the Quebrada del Río Chucmayo; Antankallo is a rainfall of approximately twenty meters; The journey to the waterfall requires a walk of approximately one hour, during which time you reach a wooden suspension bridge, which is the access road to the site, and where you must pay (s/2.00 for adults and s/1.00 for child), to be able to continue towards these.
Another must-see natural site if you visit Matucana are the twin Orcococha Lagoons which, according to the nearby inhabitants, would have been made by the same ancient residents of the valley, even before the time the Incas arrived on these lands. In fact, close to these lagoons it is possible to observe the remains of an archaeological complex
One more attraction of the city of Matucana is the Face of Christ, that is a whimsical stone formation that seems to recreate the face of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is why it gets its name.
Located in the northwest of the province of Huarochirí, at 3500 meters above sea level. The Japani Ruins has a temperate climate and radiant sun almost all year round. To get to it, it is necessary for the tourist to ride a horse because most of the way is uphill, making your itinerary a unique experience.
Callahuanca is one of the districts of the Huarochirí province and is part of the Santa Eulalia valley. It stands out for its famous custard apples, which, it is said, are the most delicious in Peruvian territory.
During your tour you will come across the Matríz Church and the Characán Mountain.
This district is the ideal place for those who like adventure, cyclists, walkers or simply to rest.
In Callahuanca you can carry out various tourist activities such as trekking, cycling, camping and observation of flora and fauna and its characteristic demonstration plots where we can also carry out rural tourism.
You can also see a variety of birds among which there are pepites, rattlesnakes, hummingbirds of the mosquito bird type and the amazilia, chiguacos, kestrels and eagles (parabuteo unicinctus),
As you can also see foxes, pumas, deer and alpacas, among others.
Located between the districts of San Bartolomé and Tupicocha, the Zárate forest is the last green paradise in the province of Huarochirí, with green mountains and ravines laden with water. In all its majesty, you can contemplate an ancient refuge of trees such as the gigantón cactus, quinual, hawthorn, taro, quishara or chachacomo. There are also animals such as the wild cat, vicuñas, weasels, skunks and the vizcasha, which can surprise the traveler during their journey.
The Zárate Forest is a reserved natural area that has an area of 500 hectares. It includes a great biodiversity of flora and fauna, it is considered one of the best places in Lima for trekking in contact with nature.
This forest is a natural relic, one of the few that survives in the central zone of Peru, which is made up of a variety of ecological floors, which originate a great variety of vegetables from the western slopes.
The Zárate Forest is part of the so-called dry cloud forests. Its main characteristics are its high humidity, the frequency of fog during the summer (December to March) and the dryness in winter. Its temperature decreases according to the altitude; The annual average in the lower part is 15 °C and for the middle part it is 12 °C.
In approximately five hours of walking, you pass from 1,850 meters above sea level. at 3,600 meters above sea level.
Yuracmayo is located at 4,100 meters above sea level (m.s.n.m.), in the province of San Mateo. This place invites all fans of adventure sports to climb the great limestone walls, which can reach up to 80 meters in height.
Yuracmayo is the perfect place for adventure sports, camping and being in contact with nature.
Tourists can also enjoy the flight of the condor, which can be observed with some luck in the sky that adorns the canyon formed by the nearby Blanco River.
It should be noted that the Municipality of San Mateo sometimes organizes some national windsurfing championships in this area.
For those who enjoy the landscape while crossing the most beautiful trails, there is also a hiking trail to cross the entire area, the river and the rock walls.
The trekking route is 10 km in total and starts very early. You can get there in one or two hours and the level of difficulty is moderated by the rough terrain.
Arriving by bicycle is also one of the most fun ways to get to know the landscapes of Yuracmayo.
It is the best known in Matucana and with the best marked path, even a part is paved. At the beginning of the walk you pass by some houses with murals about the main attractions of Huarochirí (province whose capital is Matucana). Then the climb begins, which is not very steep and is therefore recommended for those who want to start walking. I totally recommend going in April and May, because in the other months the amount of water drops considerably. Compare the first photo (instagram) that corresponds to the month of May with the photo below from the month of July, the waterfall changes considerably.
Approximate distance: 3 kilometers from Matucana, Approximate slope: 450 meters. It is reached around 2700 m.s.n.m.
It is the easiest hike because there are no steep climbs. In the months of April and May it has a lot of water, the photo was taken in 2013 just the day that it was time to clean the ditches and they had diverted the water that normally goes to the waterfall. Most of the trail is flat. Leaving Huariquiña (annex of Matucana) you walk next to the train tracks to the imposing bridge, you go down and then a little climb.
It is the last hiking route I did in April 2017. I arrived by chance because I was actually looking for the Velo de la Novia waterfall, but they told me that the path there was closed due to a landslide. To get to La Tranca, you must go to the Huariquiña annex (by car, motorcycle taxi or on foot) and then go up the “Piedracaca” hill, as the locals call it because stones always fall from there. The path zigzags until it reaches one of its edges where there are several eucalyptus trees and a ditch. Good point to rest, especially since you can already see the waterfall and there is a short and easy stretch, not very steep.
It is located at km 67 of the Central Highway and belongs to San Jerónimo de Surco, Huarochirí. It is only three hours from Lima, but if you knew about the impressive landscape that you will discover before arriving, you can be sure that you would travel up to a whole day because you would know that it would be worth seeing the almost 20-meter descent of its cold waters. .
The cost of admission is two soles. In this place you can take long walks in which you will not observe anything other than high precipices and green landscapes that adorn its trails. In addition, the nature of its surroundings allows you to camp. Its climate is warm as are the people who inhabit it. But it also reaches very low temperatures.
At km 69 of the Central Highway, a dirt road leads to the town of Ayas. From there there are two ways to get to Huacapune (3,800 masl). The first requires a greater effort, since it implies the abrupt ascent to Tompongo Hill, on whose summit are the archaeological remains. The other is longer and calmer, since the path stretches to the bottom of the ravine and passes by the petroglyphs of Peña Culebra (a reptile carved on a cliff can be seen). In both cases you have to walk about 5 hours.
In Huacapune, more than the exterior structures, the large number of underground enclosures, with small-sized rooms, is surprising. The view is excellent, and you can see the entire Yanajune ravine, and, on the other side of the Rímac valley, the Huacre hill (4,470 masl).
65 km. from the city of Lima is the valley of the Rímac river, the site where the town of San Jerónimo de Surco is located in the province of Huarochirí. This town has many tourist attractions, among which are the city church dating from the colonial era, waterfalls and archaeological remains.
The Tumbapaccha waterfalls are located a 15-minute walk from the Huanano Machay caverns, which are pre-Inca constructions of the Ayacuchana Huarpa Culture. Upon arriving at the place, you can feel the magic and mysticism that the fall of the Tumbapaccha waterfall reflects, making whoever goes feel small before such an expression of nature.
The waterfall is a 20-meter-high waterfall, which is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, visions that can be enjoyed throughout the excursion through this valley. When visiting this waterfall, you have the opportunity to have lunch on the banks of it since there are restaurants that offer their services next to the impressive landscape.
Located in the Province of Huarochirí, Valle de Rímac, Region of Lima Provinces-PERU, left bank of the Rímac, at 11°54’17.0″S 76°30’14.4″W (-11.904716, -76.504010).
It is not actually a "cave" proper. It is a central railway tunnel that many years ago was partially obstructed by a landslide. The Central Railroad Company (then ENAFER) could not clean it up and opted to open a new tunnel on one side of it. The covered tunnel has thus been transformed into a cave with a depth of more than 150m that serves as a refuge for a colony of bats.
You have to do a not very big ascent but it is steep, the access has already been described. Next to the "Cave" is the tunnel of the FFCC currently in use and "rails above" (north east) just a few meters from the other tunnel. Nearby there is an esplanade (somewhat far from the train tracks). A water pipe passes through the upper part but you have to be careful because we are not sure of its potability. The presence of "pepsis" wasps shows us the presence of tarantulas (these wasps hunt them to lay their eggs on corpses).
Beautiful lagoon with whitish waters that is formed by the melting of ice from the Andes mountain range with which it is surrounded. The site is a pleasant place that is part of different tourist circuits scheduled in the province.
This is a group of caves that, it is believed, would have housed the first populations of the place 10,000 years ago. On the site, remains of the lithic works that they made have been found: between spearheads and others.
Formerly the Pariacaca Snowy was considered an Andean deity. This is a prominent snow-capped mountain from which water emanates that gives life to the surrounding fields.
The province of Huarochirí is also important for the festivities that it presents, among which it is worth highlighting:
It is a festival that takes place every second Saturday of the month of May. This is celebrated with special emphasis in the town of Eduardo de Habich in the district of Surco.
Festival that is celebrated the first days of August; It is a scenic representation that dates back to the Inca empire and that is mixed with costumbrist celebrations.
Celebration that brings together the entire population every August 4 to share as a people in different activities, such as social dances, serenades, among others.
Events that take place in the first days of October with special emphasis on San Pedro de Casta where the famous ditch cleaning takes place.
The implements and other things to take to the town depend a lot on the area where the visitors go, but what should not be missing in the travelers' bags for the total and full enjoyment of Huarochirí will be mentioned below.
There are bus lines that go from the capital to Huarochirí, the most common are 4405, 4410, 4416 and 4417, these four are the ones that are most seen on the way to the town, therefore the traveler can choose the one they like best. and depending on your budget.
The main cost varies depending on the bus line that the client chooses, in some cases the ticket is an average of 10 to 20 and even 30 soles, it all depends on the route selected and of course the tentative date of trip.
Taking into account how close it is to the capital of Lima, the stipulated time is approximately 32 minutes, this is because the road goes directly to the place and there are no detours to take.
Once you decide to visit Palccoyo Mountain, you could add the best destinations to combine the history and experience for your trip to Peru. Peru offers the most beautiful destinations, culture and naturals. we recommend to extend your holidays and choose these best destinations and prepare your itinerary:
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