LOCATION
Marcahuasi Plateau (3900 - 4008 m) is located 84 km east of Lima (6 hours average) and 3 km east of the town of San Pedro de Casta (3180 m) in the province of Huarochiri ( Lima region).
GETTING THERE
Travel from Lima to Chosica
The route of Chosica to this place will take three to four hours. Sure you'll love the amazing depths that you will see during the trip.
First Option, can take buses that take you directly to Chosica to the park Echenique, the trouble is that sometimes depending on the day, demand, or if rates rise holiday.
Second Option, between the junction of the Avenida Javier Prado Arequipa on the side of Ex Film Orrantia private transport are taxis as a community. This option raises travel costs but is most comfortable.
Travel from Chosica to San Pedro de Casta
Arriving at the place you should Chosica Echenique Park, near the bus station there's a rustic, where there are buses and private cars destined to San Pedro de Casta. From San Pedro to the plateau is 4 km on foot. Significantly, there is no water on the plateau. From San Pedro there are three routes to climb on foot or donkey's 800 meters that separate the people of the plateau, the most common are:
Travel from San Pedro de Casta to Marcahuasi
Upon arrival you can choose two options for uploading, you must first go to the square of the town. Once entry fees paid, you sign a book with your details and those of your companions, this is done in the case of an unforeseen happens, the entry you are entitled to medical care and transportation for emergency.For the climb on foot you can do is say 4 hours, the truth that with the weak and the dwarves did more time or hire a donkey or horse.
Our trips are almost always good warriors, trekerazos and backpackers, but this time we were with the children, if we knew we were going to climb to nearly 4000 m (higher than Machu Picchu), along a rugged and desolate we'd gone on a donkey finally we did to bad for the long route and the dwarves wore at the height of circumstances.
Short Route: requires more effort. Login to the plateau by the Monument to Humanity and The Cabins. Minimum of 2:30 hours walk.
Route Amphitheatre: more extensive but less steep (except in the last section). Minimum time walk: 3:30 pm.
Fortress Road: leads to the highest point of the plateau and the archaeological remains found there. For this route is preferable to hire a driver. The cost per mule is S /. Horse-13 ($4) and S /. 15 ($5)
DESCRIPTION
Marcahuasi is one of the magnetic centers in the world. There, the action of time and weather have huge blocks of stone in a series of enigmatic forms and figures that form a unique landscape. Among the main rock formations are Amphitheatre, The Maze and The Monument to Humanity. On its formation are woven the most diverse theories, from scientific to esoteric.
WEATHER
For being more than 3900 meters, the climate of the plateau is cold and dry. There is great variation in temperature between day and night, and between sun and shade. During the months of May to November is the dry season (no rain) and in the day there is a strong solar radiation with clear blue sky, especially in the months of June through August. If you want to camp, should bring the appropriate equipment according to the season, both clothing and tents, sleeping bag, stove, flashlights and food. Always keep this in your travels.
The rainy season starts in November slightly, accentuating between December and March in this period is the green mantle over the plateau and the lakes filled with water. However, the visit is not recommended for filing a muddy and slippery path.
ATTRACTIONS
Among the most salient forms that we see in the stone forest Marcahuasi may include:
Monument to Humanity: It is approximately 25 meters and, according to the angle at which you observe, takes a different face. Is the symbol of Marcahuasi.
Dolmen: Also known as "mushroom."
The Prophet: Human profile resembling that of a prophet.
The Alchemist: Profile of a man hiding.
Seals: A group of rocks which are similar to these animals.
CAMP
Recommended places to camp within the plateau are:
The Amphitheater: This great depression or crater is the ideal place for camping protected from the cold night.
The Fort: Situated opposite the town of San Pedro de Casta. Is very near the place called Santa Maria, the highest point of the entire plateau.
LODGING
In San Pedro de Casta accommodations are rustic, whose price varies according to the services offered from S /. 5 to S /. 20. Only the City Hotel has a private bathroom but no hot water. While traveling through Lima and was always kept an additional money for this purpose or in any case carry more than one sleeping and good warm clothing, caps, boots, backpacks, fed water and lemon drops.
WHERE TO EAT
In San Pedro's restaurants are simple and humble. The dishes are prepared with local products such as the suck, the patasca, pachamanca with potatoes, huatia (prepares for the patronal feast), the guinea pig fried or stewed and papaseca (dried potatoes). It is also presented porridges of maize, flour and pumpkin.
SERVICES
In San Pedro de Casta only one community phone. References: There is no specific service guides, but people who know about some traditions and interpretations of the place. What you get in San Pedro de Casta are carriers that lead visitors to the plateau in their pack animals.
The entrance to the plateau of Marcahuasi has the following tariff:
• National Visitors: S /. 5.00
• Foreign visitors: S /. 10.00
• Students: S /. 3.00
ANECDOTES
The climbing is hard if you're not used to walking, you have to carry water bottles, way up there are some sections where you can find water.
At the height of these waters are icy, ice cream try not to take anything for the climate and the height you can play against.
THE DESCENT
Nico had a great time not affected him live up to the point that just enjoyed the next morning. Joaquin was like a flame in puna, happy life running, until we told her we will be on the short road and Nico horse would fall into things. We climbed up to 4200 m.s.n.m. until Chullpas area, the pace picked up big, as usual, and smiled down. In Chullpas we stopped to eat cheese with crackers and water. It's a hard road at times, but have not done the photos of the Monument to Humanity and landscapes have not been seen in our memories, how valuable is to go, walk and live. Nico pity to go horse has lost some views, that it the short way is rough, it is known, but there are narrow and rocky trails, always go down and beware the cacti and plants that have thorns on the size and thickness of a toothpick. What else is priceless.
