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Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve

Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve

Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve
4.5
What people are saying
mariedragon
By mariedragon
Enchanted land of amazing waterfalls, turquoise lakes and deep canyons
5.0 of 5 bubblesOct 2019
We came to Nor Yauyos Cochas Reserve from Huancayo, roughly a 4-hour drive (with many photo stops) to get to the village of Huancaya, located at the heart of the reserve. We decided to go on a tour and not public transport as we wanted to be able to make stops and photos along the way, which was totally worth it. The drive is now easier as the road is paved almost all the way, except from the turn off to Huancaya and Vilca. We crossed two high passes at 4600m and 4700m, the scenery along the way was spectacular with many lakes, llama herds, scenic villages (especially Tomas) and incredible Uchco Canyon. As soon as you enter the Nor Yauyos Cochas reserve you enter a magical land of towering canyons and never-ending waterfalls. We visited the areas of Huancaya and Vilca, spending two nights in the small scenic village of Huancaya. The only thing that lets the area down is the lack of proper accommodation, if we had found something comfortable we would certainly have stayed longer, unfortunately given my fragile back and awful mattresses, this was not an option. We came on a week day when the area is deserted. I would not recommend coming at weekends and certainly not during national holidays as the area apparently gets jam packed with Peruvian tourists. Strangely there is no entrance fee to enter the actual reserve, but you have to pay S/10 soles in Huancaya and another S/10 soles in Vilca. Both control points were closed though when we visited as there were virtually no other tourists around. To get to Lima from Huancaya you first have to take a car/combi to Magdalena (1h30 of driving along magnificent scenery within a narrow canyon), which leaves between 6 and 7am, then another combi to Cañete (2h30 of hair-raising driving along the beautiful Cañete river). Apparently there are sometimes direct buses from Lima to Magdalena. From Cañete it is a 2-hour drive to Lima, many buses offer the journey. The Nor Yauyos Cochas Reserve, despite being little-known to foreign tourists (as it is barely mentioned in most guidebooks) offers unique, magnificent scenery, which easily rivals that of any more famous sites in Peru. The scenery is truly spectacular and surprisingly varied from endless rows of cascades, to deep turquoise trout-filled lakes, huge canyons and quaint villages. The boat ride on Lake Huallhua is definitely worth it, as well as the incredibly beautiful hike from there back to Huancaya (the opposite shore from the jetty is best). Another highlight is the drive from Huancaya to Vilca, where the vastness of the landscape takes another dimension. In the small village of Vilca you will find a series of cascades and some great viewpoints.
Best views in Lima
5.0 of 5 bubblesFeb 2019
Tips to get there: apparently only one bus will get you close to Huancaya district, this is where you really want to go. The bus is called Rochaz, is located in a small office on the other side of the street from Flores bus service. The bus Rochaz (50 soles) will take you straight to Magdalena in a 7 to 8 hour trip, the bus is somewhat comfortable, very economic quality. Once it drops you in Magdalena, you can catch a ride to Huancaya for 20 soles or if in luck Rochaz will cover your ride to Huancaya. Huancaya is very small, it has local accommodations and 3 small hotels (30 soles a bed). From Huancaya you can catch a guide (70soles) that will take you to see some lakes and rivers. There's a local restaurant that almost every local will tell you to go to, a must try is the grill trucha (best fish ever meal). The lakes, rivers, mountains and wildlife, is spectacular. I went on Feb and during the day it was nice to walk around, but once the evening strikes, it gets freezing cold. I heard that in Summer is even colder at nights, so make sure you take winter jacket. I would have gladly stay a week, but due to my travel extend I only stayed 2 nights, which is enough to view the lagoons. Hotels offer warm water, but it only lasts 3 minutes, no wifi, no phone signal unless is claro (no data). I didn't need repellent, but for Summer maybe? - leave at 7 am or you won't be able to find cars from Magdalena to nearest location to catch a bus.

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4.5 of 5 bubbles217 reviews
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Jules H
Miraflores, Peru176 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
From Lima to Yauyos the trip is pretty rough (7 hours away and the road is not still good) but the landscape worth the sacrifice to get there.

I do not recomend Mystical Trekking operator because most of the time we spent unpleasant moments and they did not offer everything we read at their web page.

After all the negative situations we had, I definetely recomend this spot the most if you like to camp and spend some time with nature and breathe fresh air far away from chaos and the traffic of Lima.
Written 11 July 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Victor C
Charlotte, NC24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2019 • Couples
Tips to get there: apparently only one bus will get you close to Huancaya district, this is where you really want to go. The bus is called Rochaz, is located in a small office on the other side of the street from Flores bus service. The bus Rochaz (50 soles) will take you straight to Magdalena in a 7 to 8 hour trip, the bus is somewhat comfortable, very economic quality. Once it drops you in Magdalena, you can catch a ride to Huancaya for 20 soles or if in luck Rochaz will cover your ride to Huancaya. Huancaya is very small, it has local accommodations and 3 small hotels (30 soles a bed). From Huancaya you can catch a guide (70soles) that will take you to see some lakes and rivers. There's a local restaurant that almost every local will tell you to go to, a must try is the grill trucha (best fish ever meal). The lakes, rivers, mountains and wildlife, is spectacular. I went on Feb and during the day it was nice to walk around, but once the evening strikes, it gets freezing cold. I heard that in Summer is even colder at nights, so make sure you take winter jacket. I would have gladly stay a week, but due to my travel extend I only stayed 2 nights, which is enough to view the lagoons. Hotels offer warm water, but it only lasts 3 minutes, no wifi, no phone signal unless is claro (no data). I didn't need repellent, but for Summer maybe? - leave at 7 am or you won't be able to find cars from Magdalena to nearest location to catch a bus.
Written 22 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marc v
Amsterdam, The Netherlands36 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2016 • Solo
It was a bit difficult to get to Huancaya (car from Huancayo leaves only at 4.45 am from parque de los sombreros),but totally worth it! There are waterfalls everywhere just as well as beautiful lagoons. There are (cheap) hospedajes in Huancaya and you can take a rowing boat on one of the lagoons to get a better view of some waterfalls. Totally recommended!
Written 15 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pierre W
Brussels, Belgium23,502 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2018 • Solo
Combis leave to Nor Yauyos and Canete from Huancayo at 6 am 12 noon and 4 pm from Raez 1390 in El Tambo. There are also combis to Laraos from Los Manzanas 1035.
Part of the road from Huancayo is still unpaved, they are working on it, but it is a safe road on the altiplano.
At Vilca, the municipal hostel has OK rooms and trout meals.
It is well worth hiking corn the whole way from the upper lake 2 km above Vilca to the road junction at Tinco Alis, 35 km, as the views and environment are magnificent all along.
Laraos is an interesting village, good rooms from the Hospedaje Katita. An excellent steep hike climbing above the Yuncalara waterfall through the canyon then further up a quenual forest.
From Magdalena combis depart regularly to Canete. But they drive way too fast along the (new, paved) dangerous road. The terminal is in Imperial not San Vicente de Canete.
Written 25 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mariedragon
Huaraz, Peru335 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
We came to Nor Yauyos Cochas Reserve from Huancayo, roughly a 4-hour drive (with many photo stops) to get to the village of Huancaya, located at the heart of the reserve. We decided to go on a tour and not public transport as we wanted to be able to make stops and photos along the way, which was totally worth it. The drive is now easier as the road is paved almost all the way, except from the turn off to Huancaya and Vilca. We crossed two high passes at 4600m and 4700m, the scenery along the way was spectacular with many lakes, llama herds, scenic villages (especially Tomas) and incredible Uchco Canyon. As soon as you enter the Nor Yauyos Cochas reserve you enter a magical land of towering canyons and never-ending waterfalls.

We visited the areas of Huancaya and Vilca, spending two nights in the small scenic village of Huancaya. The only thing that lets the area down is the lack of proper accommodation, if we had found something comfortable we would certainly have stayed longer, unfortunately given my fragile back and awful mattresses, this was not an option.

We came on a week day when the area is deserted. I would not recommend coming at weekends and certainly not during national holidays as the area apparently gets jam packed with Peruvian tourists.

Strangely there is no entrance fee to enter the actual reserve, but you have to pay S/10 soles in Huancaya and another S/10 soles in Vilca. Both control points were closed though when we visited as there were virtually no other tourists around.

To get to Lima from Huancaya you first have to take a car/combi to Magdalena (1h30 of driving along magnificent scenery within a narrow canyon), which leaves between 6 and 7am, then another combi to Cañete (2h30 of hair-raising driving along the beautiful Cañete river). Apparently there are sometimes direct buses from Lima to Magdalena. From Cañete it is a 2-hour drive to Lima, many buses offer the journey.

The Nor Yauyos Cochas Reserve, despite being little-known to foreign tourists (as it is barely mentioned in most guidebooks) offers unique, magnificent scenery, which easily rivals that of any more famous sites in Peru. The scenery is truly spectacular and surprisingly varied from endless rows of cascades, to deep turquoise trout-filled lakes, huge canyons and quaint villages.
The boat ride on Lake Huallhua is definitely worth it, as well as the incredibly beautiful hike from there back to Huancaya (the opposite shore from the jetty is best).
Another highlight is the drive from Huancaya to Vilca, where the vastness of the landscape takes another dimension.
In the small village of Vilca you will find a series of cascades and some great viewpoints.
Written 29 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

German t
Lima, Peru13 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2015 • Friends
The place is really beautiful, but it is very far from any civilized place, and it is difficult to find a decent accommodation.
If you like adventure tourism , don`t miss "Huancaya" it is one of best attractions of the Andes in Lima region. And it is full of fat trouts too .
Written 13 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jose V
Palma de Mallorca, Spain7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2015 • Business
Few places in Peru, have this amazing natural beauty & landscape. A little hard to get there (about 8 hours from Lima), but the place is breathtaking. Great for camping, and some outdoors... go between april and november (dry season)
Written 7 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Allen T
Washington DC, DC162 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2018 • Couples
The Yauyos National Reserve is a really beautiful area of Peru. The main city is Huancaya, about 7 hours from Lima, and 4-5 from Lunahuana. I recommend this trip, but you need at least 3 days given all the driving, and I think a 4 day trip is ideal. You will see sweeping views of the valley, waterfalls, lakes, and ancient rice terraces.

The roads are mostly asphalt, but there are areas that are dirt and I think you need a 4x4, or at least an SUV. Although it’s possible to go with a sedan, I don’t recommend it at all.

You will not have cell service for most of the drive, so plan your route in advance so you won’t need to depend on GPS or google.

I recommend you stay in Lunahuana the first night to break up the drive, but you can also proceed to Hotel Villa de Armas. It’s the nicest, cleanest hotel in the area with WiFi and a nice restaurant.

Keep in mind that the southern tip of the reserve, near the terraces of Laraos, is about a 4.5 hour drive to the stunning “Pelo del novio”. Most attractions and lookouts are 1-2 hours away from each other, so even if you drive 7 hrs to get there, you will spend more time in the car. I think to see the whole reserve, you’ll want to drive with key staging points and stay at different hotels. If you stay at the southern tip, and drive 4-5 hrs to the north, you’d have to drive another 4-5 hrs to return. So, maybe work your way through with a mix of hotels and hostels. There will not be luxury options so you might have to rough it.

Keep your gas tank full because there are not many gas stations, although most small towns will sell gas by the gallon and you can hand pour the old fashioned way.

Despite the hassles, the trip is worth it and you will see a part of Peru that few people venture to.

The Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve is a protected area in Peru located in the Lima Region, Yauyos Province and in the Junín Region, Jauja Province. It lies with the Peruvian Yungas and Central Andean wet puna ecoregions.
Written 2 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ValvaMG
Toronto, Canada284 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2016 • Friends
I've read it was the best landscape in Lima province, so we went there camping last weekend: it was amazing! It was extremly cold at night but if you have the appropiate gear or you stay in a house, it'll not be a problem.
Written 3 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Enrique M
London, UK15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2016 • Solo
Like most of Peru the landscape is grand but the infrastructure dire. Nor Yauyos is a stone's throw away from Lima but you might have to drive back to Lunahuana to get a decent bed for the night. It is a shame, really. Don't stay in Huancaya, too long. Keep going to Vilca; a true gem. The village is on the foothills of a small mount that blocks the flow of the river forming a forest on the waterfall that has formed around it. You can go for a swim in the ponds formed under the trees or explore the surroundings. But don't expect places to eat or sleep.
Written 24 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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NOR YAUYOS-COCHAS LANDSCAPE RESERVE (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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