Mountain Biking Imperial Valley
Peru Travel: Lima Weekend Getaways
Peru’s capital city, Lima, is a fascinating place but for Limeñosand visitors looking to escape the traffic-clogged streets there are many fun weekend getaways available. While in the busy city, it is easy to forget that you’re just a stone’s throw away from the foothills of the Andes and other stunning landscapes. If you have a little time to explore magical Peru there are excellent hikes, archeological sites, white water rafting, and horseback riding waiting for you. Here’s the run down on Lima’s weekend destinations and a map for orienting yourself: http://filer.livinginperu.com/dl/maps/MapaLima.pdf
Pachacamac: Spend a half-day at this ancient city south of Lima. Built more than 1000 years ago, the site features dozens of buildings. Archeologists are still uncovering the large ruins. There is a small museum, restaurant, and gift shop. Catch a bus from Panamerican Sur and asked to be dropped off at “las ruinas.”
Lunahuaná: In the valley south of Lima, is Lunahuaná, the most popular place for white-water rafting on the Chillón river. The river is the highest from November to April (level 4-5) and lowest from May to October (level 1 -2). You can also try kayaking on the river. If the rapids are too extreme for you, there are great hikes and horseback riding along the river, as well as the archaeological complex, Incawasi. There are many accommodations and a few places to camp. Local festivals include “Festival de la Uva” on the first Sunday in March and “Festival del Nipero” during the first week of October. From Lima, take a bus headed to Pisco or San Vincete de Cañete, a 3 hour journey. From Cañete it is about 40 km further to Lunahuaná, you can take a combi to Imperial, then another bus to Lunahuaná.
Yauyos and Huancaya: Three hours past Lunahuaná there is camping near beautiful waterfalls and lakes. Hike to the waterfalls or rooms available in Yauyos. 50 km away is Huancaya with many small waterfalls and vegetation.
Canta: Set in the green rolling hills of the Chillón valley, Canta remains green all year round. The pretty Andean town is an excellent rural getaway. It is dry and sunny during the winter, but expect rain and colder temperatures during the rest of the year. There is a 2-3 hour hike to the pre-Inca ruins of Catamarca. Camping is possible through the high mountain pass of La Viuda (4,784 m) or accommodation is available in Canta. Public transport runs from Lima to Canta and takes about 3 hours.
Obrajillo: 3 km from Canta is the town of Obrajillo, a charming town of winding streets and colonial mansions. Accommodation is available in the town, or you can camp along the river. See Canta, for how to get to Obrajillo.
Petroglyphs of Checta and Santa Rosa de Quives: Combine a trip to the petroglyphs during a trip to Canta. The rock art at Checta is found on the side of the road from Canta to Lima, and is thought to be thousands of years old. Visitors can find the petroglyphs carved into the boulders that cover the dusty hillside above the green valley. Further down is the town of Santa Rosa de Quives, birth place of the patron saint Santa Rosa de Lima. See Canta, for how to get to Petroglyphs of Checta and Santa Rosa de Quives.
Chosica, Mantucana, and Surco: A popular escape from the Lima, it takes about 1 hour to reach. Sitting higher than Lima, it is a nice place to catch the sun. There are a few restaurants overlooking the central park and you can also catch buses to other destinations in Lima. From Chosica, public transport takes visitors further up the valley to Santiago de Surco and Mantucana. Both have a typical Andean look and feel. Visitors can hike into the hills and enjoy the fresh air and scenery in peace. Few people come here despite the trails being very well maintained. You can hike up to the cordillera of the Andes and tent by the lakes and peaks. Catch a bus to Chosica from central Lima or Ave. Grau.
San Pedro de Casta and Marcahuasi: San Pedro de Casta is the closest town to Marcahuasi, home to just 300 families, it is a small farming village. Head up the trail to Marcahausi, a granite and diorite volcanic plateau with fascinating rock formations. The hike is about 3 hours up hill, but you can rent donkeys or horses or bring your own mountain bike. It costs S/. 10 for foreigners to enter the trail, but it is free to camp in the massive amphitheatre or pay another S/. 10 for a room in San Pedro de Casta. Take the bus to Chosica where you can get a transfer to San Pedro de Casta.
San Bartolomé: A small rural town, surrounded by beautiful countryside. The area is beside a river where you can enjoy the country and delicious cuisine, or walk to nearby Bosques de Zárate for beautiful flora and fauna. Take a bus from Chosica to San Bartolomé for about 3 hours, or take a train from Lima Centro.
Cieneguilla and Antioquia: Just 20 km east of Lima, Cieneguilla is warm, sunny, and dry all year round. A popular place to camp, horseback ride, and eat traditional food. Try pachamanca, a meat and vegetable dish slow-cooked in an earthen pit, buried with wood and hot stones. While Cieneguilla only takes an hour to get to and is easy to reach its neighbor Antioquia is a bit harder to reach. Antioquia is a town splashed with bright paint and beautiful drawings. Take a bus from Av. Javier Prado (east side of the street) to Cieneguilla. To get to Antioquia you have to find a cab driver willing to make the journey.
Lomas de Lachay and Huacho: Lomas de Lachay is a national reserve filled with wildlife, especially birds. Facilities include a visitor center, trails, camping, and picnic spots. In pre-Columbian times, the area was used to cultivate diverse produce, and there are still archaeological remains associated with agriculture. Buses depart from Carlos Zavala and Montevideo or at Parque Universitario. Once in Huacho, take a taxi or ask the bus driver to detour to Lachay, and walk 3 km to the entrance of the park.
Chancay: Learn about the Hari Krishna religious movement in Chancay Castel (El Castillo de Chancay). You can stay the night in a converted salon. The community of Hari Krishna is located at km 75 of the Panamerican Norte. Lomas de Lachay is nearby. Take a bus from Acho.
Ica, Pisco, Huacachina Oasis, Paracas National Park: Ica is a small town 3-4 hours south of Lima. It is famous for its vineyards and Pisco production. Huacachina is a nearby oasis in the middle of sand dunes. It is a relaxing place to spend the weekend and you can try sandboarding or dunebuggying through the desert. Nearby, Paracas National Park where you can hike around or take a boat tour of the Ballesta Islands where you can see wildlife and the Candelabra geoglyph. Many buses from Lima head south towards Ica on the way to the Nazca Lines.
Chincha: Inside the Ica region is Chincha, known as the heartland of Peru’s Afro-Peruvian population. Enjoy spicy meals and desert hillsides looking out over the sea. The nearby town of El Carmen is famous for its African-descended population and host a yearly celebration filled with music and dance. In the area are a number of Spanish haciendas, and the ruins of Huaca Centinela.
Churín: A 6-hour journey from Lima, Churín is famous for its spas, cheese, and forests. The road to Churín passes rock formations and sub-tropical vegetation. A few kilometers before Churín there is a village called Chiuchín where you will find spas and can hike to a beautiful lake 4,500 m. If doing the hike consider renting a horse to carry your belongings. If you enjoy mountain biking there is a 12-km route from Chiuchín to Huancahuasi. Buses leave from Av. Carlos Zavala
Islas Palominos: Take a day trip off the coast in Callao, Lima’s port neighbor. Known as the Little Galapagos Islands, there are a few tour companies that will take you out to the islands in the Callao Bay. You can see sea lions, birds and other wildlife.
Rúpac and Huaral: These well-preserved ruins are worth a weekend-long excursion. First get to Huaral, a one hour trip from Lima, take an omnibus or a taxi to the village of La Florida (45 km from Huaral). Las Pampas is another village about 30-minutes from La Florida.
Southern Beaches: During the summer months, many Limeños head south to the circuit of beaches that line the Pacific. Take a day trip, or stay the night further south in Las Salinas, Chilca, Asia, Cerro Azul, or Pucusana. The quality of the beaches and accommodations vary. Simply hop on a bus heading south along the Panamerican highway.
About the Author
This guide to weekend getaways near Lima, Peru was written by a Peru travel expert at Peru For Less available to help you custom design your exciting http://www.peruforless.com/packages/specials.php”>Peru vacations.
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