When we talk about Puno, the first thing that comes to mind is Lake Titicaca. However, this department has hidden corners that have a special magic. Today, we bring you a new place to visit on your trip to southern Peru: the Tinajani Canyon. Keep reading and discover this wonderful destination!
If you are in Puno visiting Lake Titicaca or heading to Bolivia, you have to get to know this natural attraction that is becoming increasingly popular due to its very particular geological forms. It is the Tinajani Canyon, a tourist attraction where natural, cultural and mysticism that surround its ravines and stone forest come together. redBus shows you the main information on this site.
The Tinajani Canyon has an area of 250 hectares and is located at 3953 meters above sea level. This is formed by three large ravines, Queñuacuyo, Pacobamba and Huarachani. With this, the natural landscape takes on unpredictable figures with very particular configurations. It is an ideal destination for those who like to practice adventure sports such as rock climbing, paragliding, hiking and horseback riding, among others.
Within its vast territory you can find huge stones that have been carved and molded thanks to the wind and the various meteorological circumstances. The different shapes of these stones can be interpreted in various ways by visitors. Among these can be found human figures, lizards, granite ghosts and winged sphinxes. These rocks can measure from 50 meters to more.
The reason why the Tinajani Canyon has such particular rock configurations is because millions of years ago the area was covered with water and there was a lot of volcanic activity. Thus, changes in temperature and wind phenomena gave way to the Tinajani Canyon being the natural wonder that it is today.
In addition to having an enviable natural wealth, it was also the territory of Quechua-speaking inhabitants of the Qaluyo culture. This population was settled in the valley of the Pacobamba River, which is very close to Tinajani. What can be seen of this culture are the tombs and chullpas that are still found within the territory of the Canyon.
Thanks to residents who still participate interacting with the Canyon, very popular traditions and festivities are maintained. Thus, in July the Music and Dance Festival is held at the foot of the Tinajani. This event brings together not only hundreds of dancers from all over the region, but also national and foreign visitors who come with the desire to see the culture of the highlands in action.
The Tinajani Canyon is a perfect place for those who love to explore impressive natural landscapes. In its more than 200 hectares you will find imposing and gigantic sandstone rock formations that give this space its characteristic reddish color.
These formations are accompanied by the Pacobamba, a river with calm crystal clear waters that runs through the ravines of the canyon. The landscape that you can see in this place will leave you speechless!
Scientific studies have revealed that, in ancient times, this place was the bottom of a huge lake and that its rock formations are the product of the work of water and wind. However, as in all places in Peru, the Tinajani Canyon has several legends about its origin that give the place a more magical touch.
One of them says that the Inca Pachacútec was worried about the great drought that devastated this region of our country. To find out where this drought came from, he consulted fortune-tellers, who told him that it was the product of the devil, who was walking around these places. To put an end to this situation, Pachacútec ordered the creation of three stone jars, which would serve the devil to purify himself and leave the place. However, many say that the devil is still present in the Tinajani Canyon and that it resounds on rainy nights.
Another of the legends about this place is the one that tells that, many years ago, there was neither sun nor moon and the canyon was inhabited by giant men, who made their lives in it. But the day the sun came up, the giants were completely petrified and turned into these huge rock formations that we can now see.
The Tinajani Canyon is located 150 km north of Puno and 4059 meters above sea level.
To get here, you will have to travel to the city of Ayaviri, from where the detour to the canyon leaves. The section between Ayaviri and the canyon is only 14 kilometers long, which you can do by transport or on foot, since it is a flat terrain perfect for a simple walk.
After your visit to the canyon, we recommend you make a stop at Ayaviri, where you can recharge your batteries with a delicious cancacho: a typical local dish made with roasted and macerated lamb meat. A perfect closure for your visit to the Tinajani Canyon!
The temperature of the Canyon ranges from 19°C to -2°C, so it is recommended that when you go to visit you wear warm clothes and also a light polo shirt. The ideal season, likewise, is between April and October.
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.
