Archaeological monuments and impressive landscapes are home to this central area of Lima, full of waterfalls, lagoons, among other natural attractions.
The province of Huarochirí, Lima region is one of the favorite places of the people of Lima to do tourism and get to know the weekend during the winter season. This is due to its excellent climate, exquisite food and optimal natural landscapes for hiking through the heights.
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.
Undoubtedly one of the tourist attractions of Huarochirí is the nature it offers, an ideal destination for trekking and mountain biking.
Pure fruit ice creams, especially avocado and cherimoya, abundant fruits in the region will be your favorites.
Tour the fish farms in the towns around the central highway and discover more about trout farming.
Access to the river for bathing or spending the day is no longer as easy as it was a few decades ago, as the vast majority are now privately owned by country clubs and recreation centers.
Destinations that you should not miss in Huarochirí
The city of Matucana is one of the few Lima cities that still preserve 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 m.a.s.l. It has a dry and temperate climate. Its lands are fertile, and corn, wheat, barley, oregano and beans are grown on it. In this town, you can locate the Antankallo Waterfall, where the traveler can enjoy a swim 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 accidents 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 Chucmayo River Gorge; Antankallo is a precipitation of water of approximately twenty meters; the journey to the waterfall requires a walk of approximately one hour, during which time you reach a hanging wooden 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 natural site not to be missed if you visit Matucana are the Twin Lagoons of Orcococha which, according to nearby residents, would have been made by the same ancient residents of the valley, even before the time the Incas arrived in these lands. In fact, near 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 capricious stone formation that seems to recreate the face of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is why it gets its name.
Callahuanca is one of the districts of the province of Huarochirí 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 the Peruvian territory.
During your tour you will come across the Iglesia Matríz and Montaña de Characán.
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 in the northwest of the province of Huarochirí, at 3,500 meters above sea level. The Japani Ruins have a temperate climate and radiant sunshine almost all year round. To get there, it is necessary for the tourist to travel on horseback because most of the way is uphill, making your itinerary a unique experience.
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 streams loaded with water. In all its majesty, you can see a thousand-year-old refuge of trees such as the giant 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 his tour.
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 plants 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 altitude; The annual average in the lower part is 15 °C and for the middle part it is 12 °C.
In an approximate five-hour walk, you go from 1,850 m.a.s.l. at 3,600 meters above sea level
Over 4100 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.), Yuracmayo is located, 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 high.
Yuracmayo is the perfect place for adventure sports, camping and being in contact with nature.
Tourists can also delight in the flight of the condor, which can be seen 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 scenery 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 moderate due to the rough terrain.
Arriving by bicycle is also one of the most fun ways to get to know the landscapes of Yuracmayo.
At a tourist level, the province of Huarochirí has interesting attractions such as:
The province of Huarochirí is also important for the festivities that it presents, among which it is worth highlighting:
Go along the central highway to Chosica. At kilometer 36 you will find two paths: follow the road towards your destination and the other is a detour to Santa Eulalia. Approximate arrival time is 2 hours.
You can do it with a tour or by taking a bus to Chosica, then take another one to Huarochirí. The journey is approximately 2 hours.
Do not forget to bring: shoes for long walks or mountain trekking. Cap or hat and sunscreen are basic implements to protect you from the sun's rays. In almost all destinations you will find a store with what you need to spend the day: water to hydrate yourself, cookies, mountain bread, cheese, fruit.
A traveler's advice is to pay attention to the indications whether you go with a tour guide as well as the signs of the established trails.
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
