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Trip Report

Lima Peru Day Trips

Different places to visit which are not too far from Lima.

  • Marcahuasi+ 12
  • Marcahuasi
  • Marcahuasi
  • Lima Peru Day Trips
abbie
About Me:I am a student from the UK and I have recently completed my year abroad where I spent my first semester studying in Granada, Spain, and my second semester in Lima, Peru. I love to travel whenever I can and particularly love hiking in the m... read more

South AmericaPeru2 days / March - April - May - June 2022

Highs & Lows

A night under the stars in Markahuasi

Nothing

Itinerary Overview

I lived in Lima for 5 months, and on weekends I went to different places that normally did not have to be very far from the city, in order to take advantage of all its surroundings and be able to see as many places as possible. Choosing nearby places makes it easier to go and thus make it worth going just for the weekend. Lima is a wonderful city with a beautiful coastline and incredible food, the variety in terms of flavors is exceptional and the entire gastronomic offer is very wide. The places I visited that are not far away include Obrajillo, a wonderful little town in the mountains, which represents the Peruvian culture to perfection, Pachacamac, a place where you can take walks while being surrounded by all the fauna of the area, this it is very close to Lima, Marcahuasi, a great place to camp in the mountains, Paracas, where you can see penguins and sea lions, and Huacachina, an oasis in the desert. 

  • 1 Night: Marcahuasi
    Day Trips From Lima Peru. Marcahuasi Peru Adventure: Camping Under Starry Skies in the High Andes
  • 1 Night: Obrajillo
    Nature, animals, mountains
Marcahuasi - Day Trips From Lima Peru. Marcahuasi Peru Adventure: Camping Under Starry Skies in the High Andes
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Marcahuasi Day Trips From Lima Peru. Marcahuasi Peru Adventure: Camping Under Starry Skies in the High Andes

Marcahuasi - Day Trips From Lima Peru. Marcahuasi Peru Adventure: Camping Under Starry Skies in the High Andes - null
Marcahuasi - Day Trips From Lima Peru. Marcahuasi Peru Adventure: Camping Under Starry Skies in the High Andes - null
Marcahuasi - Day Trips From Lima Peru. Marcahuasi Peru Adventure: Camping Under Starry Skies in the High Andes - null5+

We decided to take our tents and set up camp in the Andes, in a popular camping location called Marcahuasi. We arrived in the afternoon after a shaky drive up to the campsite. We went in a friend's car but you can hire one to take you if needed. The altitude there is high so you don't want to eat too much, but there is a town to stop in along the journey to get something to eat if you need. Other than that bring all food and drinks because there's nothing once you get to the campsite. We spent the evening stargazing at the beautifully clear sky, and sitting around the fire because it was cooooold. We went in June, so it was freezing. The next day we went on a hike through the rocky terrain, and did a ritual to thank Pachamama and the spirits of the mountains with a man called Nachi, who led the ritual. 

Obrajillo - Nature, animals, mountains
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Obrajillo Nature, animals, mountains

Obrajillo - Nature, animals, mountains - null
Obrajillo - Nature, animals, mountains - null
Obrajillo - Nature, animals, mountains - null4+

For this trip we first had to take the subway to the center of Lima, since from this place all the transport that connects with nearby places leaves, from the square we took two buses to Obrajillo. This is a small and picturesque town, apparently in the middle of nowhere, its colors that evoke a lot of life stand out, relax you and make you feel in the present moment. There are many horses, sheep and other

animals wandering around, it's like being in the countryside. After arriving at this place we hiked the first day to see some waterfalls, it was an incredible experience because we were able to see all the water sources in these areas up close and on the second day we took a bus tour of many different lakes. The second day we went by bus because the height was very high and we were not acclimatized, but if you were going to stay longer you could walk.

Q & A

  • What would you have changed?

    I never went to Arequipa or Huaraz, (both not close to Lima but well worth seeing according to people I've met)
  • Restaurant recommendations?

    If you're ever in Barranco, go to Burrito Bar! The best burritos ever
  • Tips you would give a friend?

    Try picarones if you like sweet desserts. They were so good and I miss them dearly.
  • Packing tips?

    Bring clothes for alll weathers. Lima has mild temperatures during winter, (which is when our summer is in Europe), but you still need a good jacket for the colder days/evenings.
  • Transportation Tips?

    Collectivos are cheap and you just need to ask around a bit to make sure you get the right one.
  • Any surprises?

    How cold Marcahuasi was at night! You need to bring so many layers.

Lodging