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Just
six hours from the city of Lima lies the town of Huancaya,
which offers visitors a natural environment away from the
smog and traffic of the city, with bucolic surrounding countryside.
Despite the fact it is the largest town in the area, Huancaya
is one of the few places in Peru that has not been spoiled
by modernization. One can stroll through its cobbled streets
and feel like one has gone back in time, as even the modern
constructions have been done in the traditional style, maintaining
architectural harmony with the adobe mud-brick homes and sweeping
wooden balconies.
On the outskirts of the town, surrounded by splashing waterfalls
and turquoise lakes, visitors can camp out and enjoy the breath-taking
landscapes. Tourists can take a dip in the crystal-clear waters
and go fishing in an ideal environment. Nearby lie the towns
of Vitis and Vilca. Vitis lies just 15 minutes from Huancaya
(6 km beforehand, on the road up from Cañete). This
small town lies on top of a small mountain saddle and is surrounded
by gullies and steep hillsides. Nearby lies Lake Piquecocha,
a taste of things to come in the rest of the valley.
From Huancaya, the road to Vilca (28 km) crosses through the
gorges of Paccha, Huinsa and Potente, heading to the largest
and most striking lakes in the area: Huarimanca, Cuchupasca
and Huallhua. These lakes, which unfold one after another,
are linked up by thundering waterfalls which make them unique
in their beauty. A peculiar phenomenon in the area is that
the waterfalls do not splash, but rather, the water pours
gently into the lakes. It is believed that this is due to
the fact the stones on the riverbed are permeable, allowing
the water to seep through, thereby masking the true force
of the flow of the Cañete River. The turquoise waters
are as beautiful as they are treacherous for this very same
reason: in some parts, this creates underwater currents which
can drown unwary swimmers. Visitors are advised to swim in
shallow areas and preferably in places recommended by the
local population.
Just 3 km from Vilca lies Lake Paparrucha, around which the
Cañete River flows through a dense eucalyptus forest,
a common tree species in the area. With a little luck, on
a clear day, visitors will be able to catch a glimpse of Mount
Pariacaca.
But there are greater surprises in store. The lake is also
home to vast quantities of trout. Ever since the lake was
stocked with fish from the central Andean Mantaro Valley in
1938, trout have multiplied at a staggering rate, despite
the fact that a few years ago the fish almost disappeared
from the lake due to overfishing. The locals worked together
to prevent the fish from disappearing from the area's rivers
and lakes. Today, fishing is controlled in the area to ensure
there is fish for local consumption and restaurants.
Huancaya and its surroundings form part of the Nor-Yauyos-Cochas
Reserve, which features a wide diversity of flora and fauna,
such as the vizcacha rodent, puma and fox, as well as birds
and reptile species which are native to the area. The region
also features archaeological sites and ideal routes for trekking,
mountain climbing and biking. The rivers also provide some
excellent whitewater rafting, while the whole family can go
on horseback rides and taste the dairy products for which
the area is famous. |
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