Discover Satipo: Petroglyphs, Waterfalls and Culture

If you are considering Satipo for a trip with an overnight hotel stay, specific nature and cultural attractions can help you plan. These include the Huanacaure rock carvings, the Cerro Satélite viewpoint, the Cataratas de la Resistencia and an ornithological collection. Satipo brings together archaeological rock art, a viewpoint, waterfalls and an ornithological collection.

Petroglifos de Huanacaure: Rock Art and Directions

The Petroglifos de Huanacaure are located on the left bank of the Río Satipo, near Puente Blanco, in the Satipo district. A dark brown rock bears 42 bas-relief carvings; the rock may be granite. They are estimated to be approximately 3,500 years old. This estimate is compared with finds at Centro Poblado Paratushiali. The age is therefore an approximate estimate, not a precise date of creation.

The directions are given in two sections. From Plaza Mayor de Satipo to the turnoff for Centro Poblado Pampa Mandarina is 10.5 kilometres and about 20 minutes. From there, it is a further 6 kilometres and approximately 8 minutes to the ticket office at Puente Blanco. Both sections follow an unpaved road; access is specified for private cars. The travel times are estimates. Check road conditions before setting out.

Mirador del Cerro Satélite de Satipo

The Mirador del Cerro Satélite de Satipo construction project is considered the first bamboo building of this scale in the city of Satipo. A bamboo canopy completed in 2022 offers tourists, walkers and sports enthusiasts a place to rest while enjoying the scenery. If you plan to stop there, check its current condition before your visit.

On 28 April 2022, the city administration reported improvements to the access route and the area around the viewpoint. These were intended to help revive tourism in the province.

Waterfalls and Nature

The Cataratas de la Resistencia in the Satipo district comprise seven waterfalls ranging from 8 to 22 metres in height. The Cataratas de la Resistencia comprise seven waterfalls that are 8 to 22 metres high, while the Huanacaure petroglyphs consist of 42 bas-relief carvings and are estimated to be approximately 3,500 years old.

Another nature activity awaits you at Fundo La Jungla: arborism is practised in a reserved section of forest on a pineapple-growing plantation. If this activity is important to your plans, check current operating conditions in advance.

Cultural Highlights in Satipo

The collection at Museo Callegari focuses on the ornithology of the central jungle region. It includes cock-of-the-rocks, eagles, falcons and toucans, among other birds. This gives the collection a different cultural focus from the archaeological carvings at Huanacaure: the museum centres on birds, while the petroglyphs highlight rock art and its estimated age.

Iglesia San Francisco de Asís is also one of Satipo’s cultural attractions. Together with the ornithological collection, it broadens the cultural perspective beyond the rock carvings.

Planning Your Trip to Satipo

For your trip, there are several different highlights to choose from: Huanacaure combines rock art with a clearly described route in two sections; the Cataratas are a group of waterfalls with specified heights; and Museo Callegari focuses on a collection devoted to birdlife. The Mirador complements these attractions with a bamboo construction project and a resting place. This helps you choose Satipo as a destination for a hotel stay based on the interests you want your trip to reflect.

Discover more destinations: Puerto Prado, Huancayo, Provincia de Tarma, Tarma, Chanchamayo, La Merced, Concepción.

Return to the regional travel overview: Junín.