The Huayllay Stone Forest is a rocky area, almost entirely (90%), of volcanic origin. It has an extension of almost 7000 hectares, of great beauty and uniqueness. It is considered one of the 7 wonders of Peru, thanks to its more than 4,000 rock formations that resemble profiles of humans and animals, where adventure sports can be practiced, mainly rock climbing.
The large rock monuments were formed by rocks and also sediments, because this area was part of the seabed in the Paleozoic. Thanks to the erosion of the wind and water, for more than 70 million years, capricious monuments have been formed, imitating the silhouettes of people and animals.
The Huayllay Stone Forest has an outstanding tourist movement, mainly by national visitors, but in recent years the visit of foreign public has increased due to the Ruraltur, an event that takes place in the month of September focused on to adventure and nature tourism.
For those who come to this wonder of Peru, they can take the opportunity to have a relaxing refreshment in the thermal baths of the place; They can also see the fauna that inhabits the place such as deer, vicuñas, wild cats, skunks, hawks and partridges. In the flora, the queñuales, huamampintas, putagas, among others, stand out. Another of the great peculiarities of this place is its spectacular starry sky at night.
This wonder of Peru is located in the district of Huayllay, in the province and department of Pasco.
The area has a sub-humid and semi-frigid climate. The average annual temperature is 6°C. The rainy season is between September and March. Due to the rocks that store heat, they also generate the existence of various microclimates.
The Huayllay Stone Forest is located at 4,310 meters above sea level.
The Huayllay Stone Forest is considered one of the Seven Wonders of Peru, which is why it is a must to travel to Pasco and practice climbing on its huge human-shaped rocks.
This natural wonder has more than 4,000 rock formations, most of which resemble profiles of humans such as the walker or the thinker, and animals, including the turtle, the alpaca, the condor, the elephant, the zebra, the dog , the snail, etc.
In an extension of 6815 hectares, the Huayllay Stone Forest houses more than 480 rocky figures of great beauty and uniqueness, formed by ancient volcanic chimneys shaped by the erosion of the wind, water and the melting of glaciers.
The fauna has also adapted to this unique ecosystem. When you visit, you will find wild guinea pigs, deer, vizcachas, skunks, Andean foxes, llamas, alpacas, guanacos, vicuñas, wild cats, and different species of rodents.
The Huayllay Stone Forest has become one of the favorite places for adrenaline lovers. Mountain bikers, for example, cover a route that goes from 4,100 masl to 4,500 masl, which represents quite a challenge. The stone forest is also perfect for other extreme sports such as rock climbing and trekking. Its privileged location, contact with nature and the challenge of the route make adventurers have a unique experience.
This national sanctuary keeps testimonies of the passage of man for 10,000 years. The evidence is the presence of more than 500 cave paintings throughout the forest, belonging to different moments in the history of ancient Peruvians. The vast majority of the paintings are related to the domestication of Andean camelids. Thanks to them, archaeologists have managed to determine that, in the area, the domestication of llamas and alpacas would have begun around 6,000 years BC, but their incorporation as pack animals would date back to 4,500 BC.
Visiting this majestic stone forest is definitely a good option to rest, live adventures, and spend a pleasant moment with friends, family, or your partner. Here, you can do different leisure and adventure activities. For example, you can start touring the place, discovering the unique shapes of the volcanic rocks. As for the route, you will not have any kind of inconvenience, since the path is well signposted.
Also, during the walk you can take the opportunity to learn about the varied fauna and flora that this wonderful territory has. Within the flora you can find Huamanpintas, which stand out for their beauty and health benefits.
On the other hand, within Huayllay you can carry out adventure plans such as rock climbing in some of the largest. Without a doubt, this activity will allow you to enjoy high doses of adrenaline. Definitely, it is an experience that will remain in your memories for a long time.
Finally, you cannot miss visiting the hot springs where you can spend a moment of complete relaxation, immersing yourself in the warm waters of these hot springs. It is said that this natural wonder is the product of the underground river that runs through the center of the volcano. Therefore, these waters are recognized for their health properties, thanks to minerals such as sodium, sulfate, calcium, magnesium, among other substances.
This wonderful sanctuary is recognized for being a destination with natural, archaeological and historical wealth. But, it is also a space dedicated to peasant culture with the Ecotourism Festival of Rural Communities and Ruraltur Tourists. This event, which began in 1996, aims to generate coexistence between the rural communities of the sector and national and foreign tourists.
Within the event several gastronomic, craft, cultural and sports samples are held. In the same way, guided tours are carried out through the rock forest and through its archaeological remains. All this is done in order to strengthen experiential, adventure, mystical tourism, and ecotourism in the region.
It is also possible to do activities to recharge energies such as meditation in the Magnetic Center, which is led by an expert on the subject. So if you are looking to relax and renew energy, this is a very good option. Cheer up to participate!
Currently, the Sernanp, in charge of the care and maintenance of the Sanctuary, manages three main tourist routes:
Every day from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to 5 p.m.
If you want to get to know this mysterious stone forest, then we show you the best route so that you can enjoy an unforgettable visit.
As previously mentioned, Huayllay is located in the department of Pasco. Therefore, the best option is to get to Cerro de Pasco. From Lima you can take a direct route with Santa Ana, Selva Central and Turismo Carhuamayo.
Later, from Cerro de Pasco you can take a collective taxi that goes to Huayllay. The tour lasts an average of 30 minutes.
On the other hand, in Cerro de Pasco you can find different places to spend the night, since this city has a wide range of hotels of all prices. But, it is best to book both the tickets and the hotel in advance to travel without problems.
Finally, you cannot stop trying the exquisite gastronomy of this part of Peru. For example, there is the Pachamanca, a delicious combination of meat and boiled potatoes marinated with fine aromatic herbs. There is also the Mondogo, made up of lamb giblets and corn.
To visit the Huayllay Stone Forest, keep in mind the following recommendations:
If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu entrance tickets in advance, so you will enjoy your Vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.
