Explore Yauyos

1 Huancaya in Lima

Huancaya is 232 kilometers from Lima. It has incredible landscapes of the mountains of Peru. The Cabracancha waterfalls and the forest of love stand out.

Huancaya in Lima

The province of Yauyos

The province of Yauyos is one of the largest of the ten that make up the department of Lima. It covers an area of 6,901.58 square kilometers, divided into 33 districts.

The districts are: Alis, Ayauca, Ayaviri, Azángaro, Cacra, Carania, Catahuasi, Chocos, Cochas, Colonia, Fungi, Huampá, Huancaya, Huangáscar, Huantán, Huañec, Laraos, Lincha, Madeán, Miraflores, Omas, Putinza, Quinches, Quinocay, San Joaquín, San Pedro de Pilas, Tanta, Tauripampa, Tomas, Tupe, Viñac , Vitis and Yauyos.

Yauyos has a population of 27,501, according to an official census in 2007. Much of its territory extends in a mountainous geography where rivers, snow-capped mountains, lagoons and more abound. The official languages are Spanish, Quechua and Jaqaru (of the Aymara family).

Location

The province of Yauyos is located 209 kilometers by road from the city of Lima. It is located southeast of the department of Lima, in a mountainous geographical area where the Nor Yauyos Cocha Landscape Reserve stands out.

Snowy peaks such as Pariacaca, Colquepucro, Chuecon and Ticlla stand out.

The province limits to the north with the province of Huarochirí, to the east with the departments of Huancavelica and Junín, to the south with the department of Ica and to the west with the province of Cañete.

The city of Yauyos, capital of the province, is located at an altitude of 2,874 meters above sea level.

How to get?

To get to the city of Yauyos (capital of the province of the same name) from the city of Lima you must follow the following route:

• From any part of the city of Lima you must take a public transport bus or taxi to the district of La Victoria (Avenida 28 de Julio).
• Public transport buses cost approximately 50 Peruvian soles. The journey from Lima to Yauyos is direct and takes approximately 7 hours.
• The city of Yauyos is 54 kilometers by road from the tourist town of Huancaya. This route can be done by bus or collective taxi. The cost is approximately 10 soles (almost 2 hours trip).

History

Archaeological evidence indicates that groups of families inhabited the caves of Yauyos thousands of years ago. Before the Inca period, the region was inhabited by the Hatun Yauyos, ethnic groups whose main city was in Ñaapahuasi. Their language was Jaqaro, of Aymara influence and which is still spoken.

In 1450 A.D. The Yauyinos make an alliance with the Incas led by Prince Túpac Yupanqui. This alliance served the Incas for the conquest of the Huarcos (in present-day Cañete) and later the Chimú kingdoms (on the north coast). In the Yauyos region, the Incas built two Inca roads ‘qhapac ñan’ that linked the city of Cusco with the coast of Peru.

In the 16th century, the Yauyinos opposed the conquest of the Incas. The Spanish fought them with battalions led by Hernando de Soto and Diego de Agüero. Then the Yauyinos besieged Lima where they were defeated. Already in the viceroyalty of Peru (end of the 16th century) the city of Yauyos was founded as well as various ‘Indian reductions’.

After the Independence of Peru in 1821, the province of Yauyos was founded under a supreme decree issued by General José de San Martín. Starting in the 19th century, the first districts and municipalities of the region were created.

Currently the province of Yauyos has 33 districts.

Yauyos tourist attractions

These are the main tourist attractions in the province of Yauyos:

• Huancaya – This town is famous for being in the heart of the Nor Yauyos Cocha Landscape Reserve. It offers enchanting landscapes where it is possible to practice adventure sports. It is the tourist center of the region. For this reason, it has lodgings and restaurants with acceptable service. It is 233 kilometers from the city of Lima.
• Nor Yauyos Cocha Landscape Reserve – This area protected by the Peruvian State has a landscape and natural wealth where the following stand out: the Papacocha, Cajahore, Huancacruz lagoons, the circuit of waterfalls (Chin Chan and Pucacha) as well as the eucalyptus forests and mountainous landscapes of great beauty. The reserve is open from 9 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon.
• Huamanmarca archaeological site – This archaeological complex is located in the district of Carania, province of Yauyos. It is made up of stone structures that date back to 1,200 AD. approximately. They belong to the Yauyos culture, although there are also Inca structures, such as the Huaytuya laboratory. The archaeological site is 4 thousand meters above sea level.

Climate

The climate in the province of Yauyos varies according to the district and altitude, although it is generally cold temperate. The city of Yauyos, the capital, has a temperature that varies from 21ºC. up to 1ºC. The rains are more intense in the months of December to April. The rest of the year the climate is dry with little chance of rain and cold nights.

More things you should know

The most important festivity in Yauyos is the festival of San Juan whose central day is June 24. The towns where this festival acquires greater dimensions are in Huancaya and Huangáscar. It also highlights the Fiesta de Quinches that takes place every December 8. All the festivities have dance shows, musical bands and, in some cases, bullfights.

On your trip to Yauyos you may suffer the symptoms of altitude sickness such as nausea, fatigue and headache. To reduce these symptoms drink plenty of water and avoid greasy foods. Remember that altitude sickness is a common condition for people who are not adapted to high altitude geographies. The symptoms usually disappear on their own as the visitor acclimatizes.

During your visit to Yauyos, do not forget to take light, warm clothing, resistant shoes, a poncho in case of rain, sunscreen, a hat and the medicines you think are necessary.