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A side of her that shines under a clear blue sky surrounded by turquoise lagoons, waterfalls, and sacred mountains. This part of her is perfect for those looking to revel in nature’s beauty, rest, and relax. This part is Huancaya, a natural treasure tucked into Lima’s highlands.
Huancaya is relatively new on the tourist map. Part of the Nor Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve, it boasts one of the two most impressive high Andean landscapes and is the origin of the Cañete River – one of the most important on the central coast. The incredible thing about the place is its numerous waterfalls and its lovely Polylepis forests, guarded by the Pariacaca Mountain, a deity from Inca times.
During the six-hour journey from the city of Lima to Huancaya, you will traverse the coastal desert and make your way into the abundant Andean scenery. The adventure begins aboard a 4×4 truck that takes you across dunes and to the Huaca Malena, an archaeological site that has been occupied by different cultures over the centuries, including the Wari and the Inca.
Archaeology will accompany you throughout the three-day journey, as each of Huancaya’s districts house their own gems – from Inca stairs to Colonial bridges. This area was of great importance during the Inca Empire due to its surrounding mountains and impressive lagoons; thus, the famed Qhapaq Ñan – or Inca Trail – passed through the area.
After a socially turbulent time, Huancaya has been reborn and shines with its own, unique light, earning recognition as one of the best natural landscapes Peru has to offer.
Cover photo: Flickr