Explore Huarochiri

1 Marcahuasi in Lima

Marcahuasi is in the Sierra de Lima. It offers a mysterious stone forest with figures such as the 'Monument to humanity'. Many like to camp there.

Marcahuasi in Lima

Huarochirí important historical place

Huarochirí is one of the Lima provinces that has no direct connection to the sea. In this sense, it is part of the Lima sierra whose main characteristics are low altitude and climates that are not as cold as in the case of the regions found in central Peru.

It belongs to one of the slopes of the Cordillera de Pariakaka. Note that Pariakaka is one of the main deities that are narrated in the compilation text of myths and legends, which has Francisco de Ávila as a compiler in the year 1598 and translated by the author José María Arguedas since Gods and men of Huarochirí, was compiled in Quechua where a certain genealogy is narrated about Andean mythology and some legends and myths about the beginning of man, the main tool for this being orality.

The Lima province of Huarochirí is one of the largest and up to now it still has residents who use Quechua to communicate. It is for this reason that it houses a lot of knowledge and tradition of ancient Peru. Throughout its territory of more than 5,657 square kilometers, it is home to 32 districts. The capital of Huarochirí is in the city of Matucana, which is also known as the City of the Eternal Radiant Sun.

As we mentioned, this province has many tourist attractions, from constructions made by ancient settlers to natural destinations that are a delight for lovers of sunsets and landscapes whose main point is snow-capped mountains and lagoons. It will also be possible to find a varied gastronomy where some traditional dishes that lasted until today prevail.

Where is Huarochiri?

It is located in the central eastern sector of the entire Lima region. On the west side it borders the Junín region, it also borders the Lima provinces of Canta, Yauyos and Cañete. It has a territorial surface of 5,687 square kilometers and houses a population of more than 72,845 inhabitants. Huarochirí has an urban and a rural area where the Quechua language predominates.

How to get to Huarochiri?

Huarochirí is a 5-hour bus ride from the Peruvian capital. This places it 201 kilometers away. The trip is through a large part of the south of Lima, then we enter through Mala to the Andean roads that will take us to Huarochirí. The first part of the way is paved road, the second part is a trail road.

However, if we follow the Central Highway and leave from El Callao, passing through Ate, Chosica and Chaclacayo; the journey becomes shorter; it takes only 2 hours and 30 minutes. This trip is made through a paved road.

Brief history of Huarochiri

One of the benefits of Huarochirí is that it allows you to discover many natural landscapes that vary continuously due to the presence of mountains, waterfalls, waterfalls, and rivers that surround and cross this beautiful place. In this sense, it is normal to find some traces of settlers who lived in part of this region for more than 3000 years. It was even recorded that the Chavín Culture managed to expand to this region.

During the Inca period it was also of vital importance since the current province of Huarochirí is a territorial part of the Mantaro Valley and is very close to the area known as Jauja or Xuaxa. In this valley or region, the presence of three imposing curacazgos was recorded, such as the case of the Huancas, the Chuya curacazgo and the Jauja curacazgo. The importance of the Huanca tribes during the war between the Huáscar and Atahualpa brothers for the mascaypacha is well known. Being supporters of Huáscar and providing support to his younger brother, Huáscar. Also, if we go back further, we can find that it was an important place of worship and knowledge since different legends and myths were collected from this place that explain the appearance of the human being and some main deities.

During the colony it was a Corregimiento under the same name of Huarochirí. After Peruvian independence. The province of Huarochirí was created the same year of the Peruvian liberation, 1821. This was under the protection of the military forces of José de San Martín. At that time it was only made up of 11 districts.

Tourist attractions in Huarochirí that are mandatory places to visit

• Lots of waterfalls, in some three districts you can find more than 5 waterfalls. All of them of regular size. Although the largest of these waterfalls reaches an altitude of 20 meters.
• Marcahuasi, It is part of the most beautiful valleys that can be found in Peru. Although it is located at more than 4,000 meters above sea level, it is very attractive due to its granite quarries.
• Bat tunnel, It is very close to the Rímac valley. It is a railway tunnel that is no longer used. It serves as a bat colony.
• Huacapune archaeological complex, This place is located on top of Tompongo Hill. In case you decide to visit this place, you will have to prepare to walk for at least 5 hours.

Climate

In Huarochirí it is quite cold, the etymology of its name also refers us to it. Huarochirí, would come from two Quechua voices. The first is “Huaro” which refers to people or population, while “chiri” would mean cold. Putting both voices together, it can be understood that this place could be called “People or population who live in the cold” or “people of the cold”.

As we mentioned, the climate is quite frigid, since it is located near 4,800 meters above sea level. It often hails and temperatures don’t usually reach 14°C. This frigid climate is also due to its high altitude and the constant rains that fall during the rainy months that start in November and end in March.

Discover more places about Huarochiri

In Huarochirí you can see different valleys crossed by rivers of great importance for the hydrography of Peru. Most of these have as tributaries the snow-capped peaks that can be seen once we move away from the city of Lima. This generates beautiful forests such as those of Puyas de Raymondi, queñoa forests, the beautiful valley of Antioquía and even some sectors where cave paintings can be found.

In general, there are several archaeological sites that you can visit throughout the province of Huarochirí. This affects the importance of the area. Other surprises that you can find in this place is the presence of a rich gastronomy such as pachamanca, green soup, patasca and those typical of the Peruvian highlands such as corn with cheese, fried guinea pig and more. In general, visiting Huarochirí is one of the best decisions you can make.