An intense 3 days, combining adventure, landscapes, wildlife & culture.
Explores the hidden Andean gem of Nor Yauyos - Cochas Reserve in Lima & Junin provinces.
Travel from coastal desert to highlands and back again in private 4x4.
Overview
Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve protects some of Peru’s most spectacular high Andean landscapes, with numerous waterfalls and emerald-blue lagoons that make up the headwaters of the Cañete and Cochas-Pachacayo Rivers.
This remarkable environment is home to endemic flora and fauna, including Andean foxes, llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, Andean ducks, condors and herons.
Starting and ending in the city of Lima, we base ourselves in the sleepy town of Huancaya, an ideal place from which to explore the area.
Along the way, we see the contrasting coastal desert, including the stark sand dunes at Asia, which we can traverse in our four-wheel-drive vehicle.
And, like so much of Peru, there is evidence of various pre-Hispanic cultures to be discovered.
Culinary highlights include Peruvian trout which is fished from the area’s many lakes and rivers; and Lunahuana shrimps, delicious freshwater crustaceans found in the Cañete River.
Nor Yauyos 3-Day Itinerary Outline:
Day 1: Transfer in private vehicle to Huancaya, via Huaca Malena & Asia Sand Dunes. Overnight at Villa de Arma Hotel.
Day 2: Full-Day Nor Yauyos Reserve Excursion: Vilca, Tanta & Pariacaca Mountain. Overnight at Villa de Arma Hotel.
Day 3: Visit Laraos; Transfer to Lima.
Prices
Below prices are per person, based on two people sharing a room in a 3* hotel.
| Itinerary | Length | Prices From |
|---|---|---|
| Nor Yauyos | 3 Days | £945 / $1,171 |
You may well wish to stay longer in Nor-Yauyos: if so, just let us know, and we can arrange.
Itinerary
Nor-Yauyos 3-Day Tour: Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Lima - Huancaya: Huaca Malena (L,D)
Today, we pick you up at your hotel in Lima, in a four-wheel-drive vehicle to begin the adventure.
We drive down the PanAmerican Highway, stopping at the little-visited Huaca Malena, a pre-Inca ceremonial centre developed from 700 to 1100 AD.
The trip continues with an adrenaline-pumping ride through the sand dunes around the seaside resort of Asia.
The hotel is located beside a river.
We then head inland and uphill, through the towns of Cañete and Lunahuana, to reach Huancaya, located at 3,554 m (11,660 ft) above sea level.
This place is a natural retreat known for its beautiful emerald staggered lagoons.
During the afternoon, we have time to rest, acclimatise and enjoy the views.
Dinner and overnight at Villa de Arma Hotel, or similar.
Day 2: Huancaya: Vilca, Tanta & Pariacaca (B,L,D)
After breakfast at the hotel, we take off on our full-day, off-road tour of the Nor Yauyos-Cochas Reserve.
The headwaters of the Cañete River.
Highlights include:
Vilca: a spectacular area of waterfalls and lagoons.
Tanta: a picturesque, friendly, high-Andean village, beside the Warki River
Nevado Pariacaca: a beautiful, snow-capped mountain, 5,750 m (18,865 ft) above sea level. It has been worshipped as an apu (mountain god) since Inca times and is still a site of pilgrimage.
There will be countless opportunities to enjoy the Reserve’s rich vegetation and stunning geography, including during an alfresco picnic lunch.
We return to our Huancaya hotel in the afternoon.
Dinner and overnight at Villa de Arma Hotel, or similar.
Day 3: Huancaya - Lima; Laraos (B)
After breakfast, we visit the district of Laraos, where the influence of the Incas can be seen in the typical andenes (terraced farmland).
It remains a farming community to this day. Like so many places in Nor Yauyos, has a lake (Laguna Cochapampa) and waterfalls nearby.
After this, we drive back to the city of Lima, where we leave you at your chosen hotel.
Inclusions
INCLUDED In nor-yauyos 3-day price
English-speaking tour guide.
Two nights’ accommodation in Huancaya.
Meals as stated. (B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner)
Private transfers between Lima & Huancaya.
Excursions as stated.
All entrance fees.
Not INCLUDED In nor-yauyos 3-day price
Expenses of a personal nature.
Alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages during meals.
Meals not stated in the programme.
Airport departure taxes.
Tips for driver & guide.
Additional optional visits.