Yauyos Province: Culture, Terraces and Landscapes

Yauyos Province brings together cultural history, thousand-year-old terraces, birdwatching and water activities, offering something for a range of travel interests. You can plan your trip around the places and experiences that matter most to you. Laraos is known for its Andean terraces, the town of Yauyos offers tourist walking tours and the Huangua viewpoint, while cultural sites and Laguna Huallhua are among the attractions to visit in Huancaya.

Culture and historical sites

The Danza de las pastoras yauyinas from Yauyos Province in the Department of Lima was declared part of Peru’s National Cultural Heritage by a resolution of the Ministry of Culture on December 14, 2023. In Huancaya, Negrería is celebrated on January 1. Both traditions offer a tangible cultural point of reference for your trip.

The Andean terraces of Laraos consist of thousand-year-old, pre-Inca terraces. As an agricultural and archaeological landscape, they offer a different perspective on the province’s history from the Ñaupahuasi archaeological site, which was the ancient capital of “JATTUM YAUYOS.” The terraces include a tourist walking route: the descent from the entrance to the Huachucho area takes about 15 minutes on foot.

Landscape and nature watching

In and around the Cañón de Shutco, you can watch various bird species, including Andean condors, Andean cocks-of-the-rock, buzzards, oilbirds and hummingbirds. Sightings are not guaranteed. The Bosque del Amor de Vilca is a 16-hectare forest near the town of Vilca in the Huancaya District of Yauyos Province. It is part of the Puente Centenario – Bosque del Amor – Laguna Papacocha tourist route.

Together with Nevado de Pariacaca, Nevado de Llongote forms part of the Nor Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve. There are unmarked trails at Nevado de Llongote; trail markings may change. Before visiting, check locally which trail markings are currently in place.

Walking tours and activities

Tourist walking tours are offered in the town of Yauyos, introducing visitors to the town’s ancient history, traditions, agricultural production, handicrafts and typical dishes. As program details may change, check the current schedule in advance. At Laguna Huallhua de Huancaya, visitors can go out on paddleboards, kayaks or boats.

Trip-planning tips

The Huangua viewpoint is about 500 meters from the main square in the town of Yauyos and sits at an elevation of 2,922 meters. The Museo Municipal and Casa de la Cultura de Huancaya are located around Huancaya’s central square. Before visiting, check locally for current opening hours.

This can help you focus your search on the experiences that matter most to you when choosing a location.

Discover more destinations: Chunguy, Huaral Province, Nieve Nieve, Cañete, Barranca Province, Huaral, Canta Province, Canta

For the broader travel overview: Lima.