There are places to which you always return, one of them is the Viñak Refuge, located at the top of the Lunahuaná mountain range, five hours south of Lima. It promises silence, disconnection and peace on the outskirts of the capital.
We all have a place in the world. That place that disconnects us from the routine, from a city on the verge of deafness and madness due to so much vehicular traffic. Santiago de Viñac is part of this handful of earthly paradises located in the Sierra de Lima. A quiet and almost hidden district in the middle of the mountains, at 3300 meters high, in the province of Yauyos.
Without going too far from Lima, five hours away, leaving behind the Panamericana Sur, passing Cañete and crossing the Lunahuaná Valley, is this small town of farmers and ranchers who wake up with the sunrise.
If you like unexplored places, lost in the middle of the mountains and that seem frozen in time, you should travel to Santiago de Viñac, a district in the province of Yauyos, located at 3,300 meters above sea level and about five hours away by road. winding and dizzying slopes.
If you like unexplored places, lost in the middle of the mountains and that seem frozen in time, you should travel to Santiago de Viñac, a district in the province of Yauyos, located at 3,300 meters above sea level and about five hours away by road. winding and dizzying slopes.
Five hours after leaving the cold city, the mountain sun from the heights welcomes us. The 3300 meters high where the Viñak Refuge is located seem to leave us breathless. But it is there that the powerful muña mate makes its appearance, to rescue us and make the welcome even warmer.
A weekend at the Viñak Refuge means disconnecting or, better, reconnecting with nature. Breathe the cold and pure air of the mountains while enjoying the silence. It is breakfast, lunch and dinner with a 360º panoramic view of the Lima mountains. It is pampering yourself and being pampered by the staff who are always willing to serve you. It is the smell of mountain bread in the morning, of hot coffee and good Peruvian flavor.
From May to November there is no chance of rain so it is the best time to visit Viñac. Between January and March is the rainy season, so in February the shelter closes for maintenance.
It should be noted that this year is atypical. It rained until May, so the greenery of the mountains remains. In a few weeks everything will be golden because the frost season begins. But it's still beautiful.
Santiago de Viñac is about five hours from Lima, in the Lima province of Yauyos. To get there you must go along the South Pan-American Highway, cross Lunahuaná, Pacarán and take the detour to San Jerónimo. We enter a U where the road ends and thus we enter a trail with sharp curves, which challenges the most experienced driver and requires the use of a 4×4.
The trail section is 40 km. but due to the state of the road it may take you a couple of hours. If you are not sure of the route, ask for the mobility of the Viñak Refuge that can take you to the door of the accommodation if it has spaces.
Consider snacks and drinks for the trip (round trip). The mobility of the hotel only stops at two established points to stretch the legs and use the hygienic services.
Along with accommodation in comfortable rooms, with hot water and heating, the Viñak Shelter programs include meals: two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners. Infusions and water for the entire stay. As well as two glasses of wine or whiskey to consume in one day and per person.
They also contemplate a guided walk, a horseback ride and a bike ride for each person. There are options for beginners, intermediate and advanced in each case. For the evenings, they offer an outdoor fire pit and a heated Jacuzzi, which is open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
My recommendation is that you take at least one activity the first two days so that you get to know the town. Leave good time to enjoy the silence, rest in the hammocks and read a good book by the fireplace. Watch the sun go down submerged in the outdoor Jacuzzi. You don't know how relaxing it can be!
