31 Jul VISIT THE NEAREST NORTH AND CELEBRATES INDEPENDENCE DAY HOLIDAYS
Without any plans for the Independence Day holiday’s long weekend? It’s not necessary to travel very far from Lima or spend so much money for quality tourism.
The northern provinces of Lima, offer us various attractions, from archaeological remains, rich cuisine and beautiful natural landscapes, a few hours from the capital.
Here we present some of the most interesting places offered by the nearest north. There are options for all tastes and pockets. You can go either by bus or private car. Do not wait any longer and get ready the backpacks for an adventure that will make you feel more proud of having been borned in Peru. Happy Independence Day!.
1.HUARA ISLANDS
The chain of islands and islets that compose, since 2009, the “Sistema Nacional de Islas, Islotes y Puntas Guaneras” (National System of Islands, Islets and Guano Points), a natural area that protects and preserves representative samples of the biological diversity of the marine-coastal ecosystems of Peru.
Among the islands, Huampanú, Loberas and Mazorca are the most outstanding. The first of them is surprising because of its extraordinary geological formation that shows it as an improved replica of «The Cathedral» of the Paracas National Reserve, which unfortunately no longer exists due to its destruction by the 2007 earthquake. The one in Huampanu has two arches that duplicate the famous rocky vault size and invite to immortalize them with all possible photos.
2. BANDURRIA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
It is located in the district of Huacho, province of Huaura, in the area called “Playa Chica” at kilometer 141 of the Panamericana Norte highway.
The millenary city of Bandurria was discovered on March 3, 1973, when a flood brought out a series of mummies and archaeological remains. The studies of the Peruvian archaeologist Rosa Fung allowed to establish the dating of the site and to describe to Bandurria like a fishing village.
Bandurria, next to the areas known as “Playa Chica” and “Albufera el Paraíso”, was a settlement that developed in the period known as late preceramic (4,000 to 2,000 b.c.), so its age is around 5,000 years old. Despite its millennial importance, this archeological site is somewhat unknown to Peruvians.
3. ECO TRULY PARK
Located in Huaral, 63 km from the capital, the Eco Truly Park, is an ecological and vegetarian community, property of the Hare Krishna. Their houses are shaped like cones and are offered as lodgings to meditate, make retreats and learn more about the life’s philosophy of this movement.
4. THE CHANCAY CASTLE
The “Castillo de Chancay” began to be built in 1922 on the initiative of Doña Consuelo Amat y León, great-granddaughter of the Viceroy Manuel de Amat y Junyet and wife of the three-time mayor of Chancay. It is located in the province of Huaral on the seafront of the district of Chancay, an hour and a half from Lima by car. A detour through the Panamericana Norte highway will take you to this spectacular place of medieval style.
The visitor can visit the Castillo de Chancay every day from 9 in the morning until 7 at night and it is for the exclusive use of guests. The visit includes the Castle facilities, guided visit to the following museums: Memories room (castle history), Visit to the museum (ceramics, mantles, mummies, looms), Visit the hunting room (stuffed animals) and panoramic view of the place of the Sinking of the Covadonga vessel (During the war with Chile).
5. LAS LOMAS DE LACHAY
The landscape that is seen when leaving Lima, by the Panamericana Norte highway, is desertic. Hard to imagine that only 105 kilometers away, there is a hidden oasis.
Las Lomas de Lachay is a protected area, located in the District of Huacho, in the province of Huaral, was created on June 21, 1997 and covers an approximate area of 5,070 hectares. It preserves a rich flora and fauna with numerous endemic species.
6. LA ENCANTADA LAGOON
At the entrance to Huacho there is an oval that distributes four tracks, you must take the one that faces east and continue straight for 15 minutes until you see the sign announcing the entrance to “La Encantada”, exactly at the 146th kilometer of the Panamericana Norte highway.
La Encantada lagoon has an approximated area of 4 km of warm, blue-green and calm waters, has “totoral” areas and basic facilities for the visitor’s comfort and is ideal to share next to your loved ones, walking along the shore, swimming in its refreshing waters, taking a boat ride, and why not, camping in its surroundings or taking a horse ride.
Currently, the practice of water sports such as kayaking, ATV, airhead slide and flyboard has been implemented. In the case of the flyboard, it is necessary to put on some boots that will be connected to a jet ski through a hose, from which a great jet will emerge that will elevate the user.
7. SACRED CITY OF CARAL
Located 206 km from Lima, Caral is considered the oldest civilization in America with an antiquity of 3000 years BC. To the date, 21 settlements belonging to this civilization have been discovered, which developed on the shores of the Supe River.
Currently in Caral you can see six pyramidal buildings and circular squares where religious and social ceremonies of high importance were performed.
The interesting thing about the project led by Ruth Shady is that, in addition to the archaeological research, work has been done with the people of Supe so that they can exhibit their handicrafts and promote the progress of the region.
CURIOUS FACT:
THE “EL PARAISO” BEACH
This beach is located at the 136th Kilometer of the Panamericana Norte highway, before reaching the city of Huacho.
This place owes its name to the impressive spectacle of resident and migratory birds that take the wetlands near the beach as their temporary residence or stop. Its waters are calm, it has an approximate extension of 3 km. and its temperature ranges are between 17ºC and 19ºC. Paradise awaits you.
“EL PARAISO” ALBUFERA
The “El Paraíso” Albufera is one of the most important wetlands of the central coast of Peru. This paradise for wildlife is home of 33 species of plants, 5 of fish and 125 of birds, with a variety of wild ducks, herons and flamingos, emblematic birds of Peru. This life scenario has an approximated area of 690 hectares. At Prados de Paraíso we are committed to promoting the care of the environment and sustainable development.