The perfect setting for the best photos! The Nor Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve is located in the mountains of Lima and Junín, and was created in 2001. It was created with the aim of protecting one of the most beautiful landscapes in Peru, and conserving both the ecosystems and the activities of the communities, maintaining a balance between the two, in addition to protecting the historical and cultural legacy of the area. Its beauty contemplates not only green fields and crystal clear skies, but also waterfalls and lagoons that give it a unique landscape beauty. And as if that were not enough, the reserve is also home to important archaeological sites that teach us more about our ancestors and their cultural diversity. A true jewel of our high Andean territory!
Located in the districts of Tanta, Miraflores, Vitis, Huancaya, Alis, Laraos Tomas and Carania in the province of Yauyos, department of Lima and the district of Canchayllo in the province of Jauja, department of Junín.
221,268.48 hectares.
The climate is very changeable in the Nor Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve and depends mainly on altitude. In the Nor Yauyos area, the rains are more severe as the altitude increases. In the Cochas Pachacayo area the climate is very cold and sub-humid.
In the last two decades, the Nor Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve has become a favorite destination for nature lovers who find in this captivating place and its great biodiversity a branch of paradise in the Andes.
And for those who are looking for scenarios and ideal moments of solace and tranquility, as well as to recharge their energies and put aside the overwhelming stress of the city, the Nor Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve more than meets those attributes typical of Eden.
In the town of Laraos is the deepest cavern in South America. It is located at 4,400 meters above sea level. and presents a vertical difference of 630 meters. On the other hand, in the same town there is also the Qaqa Mach'ay cave, which is the highest in the world at a height located at 4,930 meters above sea level. with 125 meters deep.
The main tourist and recreational area is located in the areas surrounding the populated centers of Vitis, Huancaya and Vilca; and the area that includes Marcatupe and the Piquecocha lagoon. All these towns are located along the Cañete River. Among the most common and recommended activities are walks, sport fishing, mountaineering, speleology, bird watching and bike rides.
In the long list of places to visit, the Huancaya and Vilca waterfalls stand out; the Piticocha, Mullucocha and Paucarcocha lagoons, in Tanta; the archaeological sites of Huamanmarca, in Carania, Huaquis, in Miraflores, Vinchos and Andas in Canchayllo; the impressive terraces of Laraos, Carania and Vitis, where you can see four different types of terraces. Likewise, it is recommendable to visit the cave paintings of Cuchimachay in Tanta and Quilcasca in Laraos.
Likewise, it has more than 40 diverse archaeological remains that represent a high cultural diversity in the area. In addition, various samples of terraces are recorded that are part of the living heritage that remains within the place, since many of these structures are still used to date.
Also, you can see part of the old Inca trail (or Qhapac Ñan) that crosses all of Peru. In the Nor Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve, a branch has been identified that connects Pachacamac with Jauja, perfectly demarcated with rock edges and rammed earth roads.
The main attraction of the Nor Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve are its beautiful landscapes embraced by mountains and irrigated by rivers with turquoise waters, its beautiful lagoons, deep canyons, impressive tutelary snow-capped peaks such as the Pariacaca.
The main tourist and recreational area is located in the areas surrounding the populated centers of Vitis, Huancaya and Vilca; and the area that includes Marcatupe and the Piquecocha lagoon.
All these towns are located along the Cañete River. Among the most common and recommended activities are walks, sport fishing, kayaking, mountaineering, speleology, bird watching and bike rides.
In the long list of places to visit, the Huancaya and Vilca waterfalls stand out; the Piticocha, Mullucocha and Paucarcocha lagoons, in Tanta.
The Nor Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve has more than 40 archaeological remains that represent a high cultural diversity in the area. Not only do these remains stand out themselves, but in a special way, various samples of terraces are recorded that denote great agricultural work in the area.
Among the archaeological sites, Huamanmarca stands out, in Carania, which is accessed from Huancayo, through a four-kilometer long archaeological path that has several stone steps, one of them in the shape of a snail; Before reaching the chullpas, there is a kind of defensive wall where there are no natural obstacles.
The stone constructions are located in rocky areas with a pronounced slope and great abysses; its strategic location served the ancient Yauyo settlers to defend themselves from their enemies.
The buildings show an Inca influence, and had a reservoir in the upper part located parallel to the main road, which carries water from the Huilla lagoon, located at the foot of the Kipala snow-capped mountain.
In the lower part of the citadel, you can see the platforms of Carhua, and the Inca laboratory of Huaytuya, as well as mortars where minerals were processed, vestiges that confirm that the ancient inhabitants shared agricultural activity with mining.
Other important archaeological sites are Huaquis, in the Miraflores district; Vinchos and Andas in the district of Canchayllo.
Likewise, the impressive terraces of Laraos, Carania and Vitis dazzle, where you can see four different types of terraces. It is also recommended to visit the cave paintings of Cuchimachay, in Tanta and Quilcasca in Laraos.
These advanced samples of pre-Inca and Inca engineering are part of the living heritage that remains within the site, since many of these structures are still in use to this day.
In the reserve you can see part of the ancient Inca Trail or Qhapac Ñan that crosses all of Peru. A branch has been identified that connects Pachacamac with Jauja, perfectly demarcated with rock edges and rammed earth roads.
In the town of Laraos is the deepest cavern in South America. It is located at 4,400 meters above sea level and has a vertical drop of 630 meters. On the other hand, in the same town there is also the Qaqa Mach'ay cave, which is the highest in the world at a height located at 4,930 meters above sea level, with a depth of 125 meters.
Fossils and other very old remains have been found in the Pumacocha cave, which represent a great attraction for fans and researchers.
The tutelary snowy peak or apu Pariacaca is a symbol of identification and cultural and natural belonging, as well as the central figure in the configuration of the settlements of the population of Yauyos, important aspects that achieved the categorization of the first Landscape Reserve of Peru.
Over time, the Pariacaca apu has meant a milestone of identification and cultural belonging, as well as the central figure in the configuration of the settlements of the population of the province of Yauyos.
This snow-capped mountain has had an influence on the worldview and daily life of the various populations surrounding the Apu, located in the district of Tanta, since ancient times, especially those located within the Nor Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve.
Within the area of the Apu Pariacaca is one of the sections of the Inca Trail network that linked Cusco with various destinations of the ancient Tahuantinsuyo, such as the Sanctuary of Pachacámac, south of Lima. This 40-kilometer section includes the Saqsha pass, at 4,745 meters above sea level, to the town of San Lorenzo de Quinti.
The route is considered by historians as the most important pilgrimage path that leads to the tutelary snowy peak, linking cultural and religious practices around the Pariacaca apu. All kinds of pilgrims traveled along this ceremonial path, those who went up from Pachacamac (on the coast) and those who descended from Xauxatambo (in the mountains), heading to the sanctuary of Pariacaca.
Gastronomy
During their stay, visitors will be able to taste typical dishes such as cream of beans, green chupe prepared with potato, cheese, egg and huacatay; as well as the chapana sweet prepared with ground cassava.
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