Discover Oroya

Oroya combines specific nature-related features in the area with nature and river themes in Camanti and the wider region. For planning your trip, it helps to keep the geographical scale in mind: a natural area named Oroya, the conservation forests in the Camanti District, and a river in the wider area are distinct topics.

Nature in Oroya and Camanti

The Oroya–Saqra Cumbre sector is classified as a natural site in Oroya and offers natural conditions for observing flora and fauna. Howler monkeys (Aoluatta semiculus), maquisapas (Ateles chamek), amphibians, and reptiles live in the Camanti conservation forests; macaws are easy to spot there. For nature enthusiasts, these are two distinct points of interest: the natural conditions for observation in the Oroya–Saqra Cumbre sector and specific animal species in the forests of Camanti.

Conservation Concession and Wildlife

In 2022, SERFOR reported on a conservation concession held by Asociación Camanti Sostenible, covering 15,447.54 hectares in the Bosque Protector del Cusco, in the Camanti District and Quispicanchi Province. The concession’s forests are home to, among others, dwarf brocket deer, giant anteaters, giant armadillos, giant otters, and spectacled bears.

Riverside Landscape and the History of the Río Araza

In the Puente Oroya sector of the Camanti District, a 0.84-kilometer-long strip of riverbank was demarcated along both banks of the Río Araza. It is at least 8.00 meters wide on the right bank and 4.40 meters on the left bank. The history of the bridge is also linked to the river: the disused La Oroya Bridge, also known as Puente Viejo, was swept away by the Río Araza during a flood in December 2020.

River Landscape in the Wider Area

In the wider region, in the Esperanza–Santa Elena sector, the Río Nusiniscato carries temperate, refreshing water down from the mountain slopes. Natural pools and waterfalls lie along its course, and the surrounding area is densely vegetated. The natural pools and waterfalls there are described as suitable for swimming. If you plan to swim there, check the current access situation in advance. The Nusiniscato thus offers a different nature-focused experience from the flora and fauna found in the Oroya–Saqra Cumbre sector.

Cocoa and Accommodation

On June 19, 2023, a workshop was held in the Oroya sector for local producers on improving and pruning cocoa plants. The event offers a specific insight into local cocoa production and covers practical work on the plants.

Kuporo Cusco Lodge is located on the Interoceánica Sur at kilometer 185 in Camanti, Quispicanchi, Cusco. Part of its property was formerly used for the construction of the old and current Oroya bridges, as well as for cultivation. The lodge therefore combines a specific location in the district with a history of land use.

Discover more destinations: Colcapampa, Calca, Quillabamba, Sicuani, San Pedro, Urubamba, Huaro, Santa Teresa.

For the main travel overview: Cuzco.