The most beautiful natural sites to discover Central Cordillera

These natural turquoise pools are nestled in the hollow of a small canyon and of an incredible purity that has made them so successful. On the other hand, the trip to get there and back (over a day, usually on tour) is rather tedious: waking up at dawn and between 4 to 5 hours of driving there and back. In fact, it is necessary to join the province of Huancaraylla and the small community of Circamarca. Be careful, in principle, swimming is prohibited by the authorities who are trying to protect this small jewel of growing popularity and a little invasive. After the rainy season, the pools no longer have the announced colour. The rest of the year is a real geological highlight.

This small lake, 2 km from Jauja and 3,900 meters above sea level, is sheltered by reeds where herons and cranes nest. Unfortunately, the shores have been invaded by noisy and popular restaurants on weekends, which blurs its wild beauty. You can still canoe, pedal boat or fish here. It is flanked by the Cordillera Oriental, which, seen from the other side of the lagoon, resembles the figure of a reclining man whom the locals call "the sleeping Indian". Around it, the neighborhoods of Paca, Pancan and Chunan.

At 18 km from Huancavelica, nature has torn strange and titanic figures from the rock to draw a forest of bewitched stones. The rock formations are attributed to volcanic emanations and cemented ashes. We are at an altitude of 3,800 meters. The area of the place is actually quite small, but the wind-blown Andean moorland landscapes all around add to the walk, which can easily be done in half a day from the small town.

There are three pools here with a slide and diving board: enjoy the benefits of the hot springs against the backdrop of the mountains. Be careful, the water is between 18°C and 22°C. On your way out, don't miss the pretty square where the mamas wash their clothes. To go back down, take the staircase decorated with statues representing the characters celebrated in the city throughout the year. Other baths can be found in the Parque Ecológico Seccsachaca or Villa Cariño: caves, caverns and two open-air pools.