Marcahuasi is a stone forest located just a few hours away from Lima.
It is said that within the depths of this Peruvian Wonder lie hidden the secrets of humanity.
Located on the east side of Lima and at more than 12000 feet above sea level, it is famous for the many stories told about it that were passed across the generations.
Here in Marcahuasi you are going to charge your soul, and olso recharge with positives energies all your body.
Marcahuasi is not just a destination, is all the way up to there, the road, the smells, the nature, everything make the experience.
Driving in to the Andes, you can feel the clean air.
Marcahuasi is comparable to the immemorial civilization of the Masmas that created modern humanity, or with the ancient Egyptians and their astonishing ruins.
Come along with us and discover monumental stone forms that will take your breathe away. You will rub your eyes in disbelief once you’ve learned about the mysterious nature of these formations of land.
Posted By : ValerieH1930
I booked this trip as a solo female traveler. Ending up finding and messaging the trip operator Carlos on WhatsApp +51945273204 with questions. Ended up with two other people also on the tour with me. Carlo was super helpful and communicative. You leave around 5am and then take an entirely enjoyable 2.5-3 hour car ride into the mountains to marcahuasi in a very comfortable Land Cruiser. You’ll pass through countryside towns, grab breakfast at a nice little tienda that serves big slices of local avocados (which I can attest are some of the best avocados I’ve ever had) with egg or cheese on a sandwich. Option to get some homemade quinoa drink. Half of the journey is on dirt road, Carlos is an excellent driver and I never felt nervous. He provides fruits as a snack like orange, guanaba and banana for half way through the hike. You’ll be at something like 4,000m (13,000 feet) at the highest point but DO NOT be worried about elevation sickness. I got out of the car and immediately felt out of breath but Carlos assured me that its normal for the first 20 minutes and then the body acclimates, which mine did. He also said that not one person has ever had an elevation sickness problem on one of his tours to Marcahuasi, so travel on with confidence. He provides trekking poles. You go on an absolutely spectacular 3 hour hike. The energy at this location is very special, and if you are looking for what could be a spiritual experience on top of a hike through ancient grounds, this is it! all I can say is this location in Peru is not to be missed, I was so impressed that I wrote this whole long thing hoping you too will go. We returned back around 330-4pm
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Posted On : 2024-06-16 19:54:57 
Posted By : 371awildac
The ride was rough but definitely worth it for the views. Our tour guide Carlos was very nice and knowledgeable. Breaks was included and it was so simple but delicious.
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Posted On : 2024-06-15 14:31:32
Posted By : Carl_F
Early start 5:15 AM. Breakfast at a little roadside cafe - bun cut in half, a thick slab of avocado and a little salt. It was delicious. Lots of switchback to get up to Marcahuasi. Driver/guide was Carlos who let us walk at our own pace. Weekdays are the best days to visi. It was very quiet, just a light breeze, the sun, and some birds, including Andean condors soaring overhead. Lovely little lagoons, pre-Incan ruins, and rock fromations that evoke people and creatures (like the turtle rock photo). Be warned, use sunscreen, wear long pants and don't rush as you are at over 12,000' up.
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Posted On : 2024-06-13 21:51:09 
Posted By : George_W
Other reviewers have said so many good things about this tour and tour operator, and I back those up 100 percent. Carlos was our driver, and he navigated the mountain roads with incredible expertise. Abraham was our second guide, and he did a fantastic job making sure everyone on the tour (4 of us) had a great experience. I will say that if you are not in good physical shape, you may consider another tour. Hiking at 13000+ feet is a once in a lifetime experience. I highly recommend this tour to anyone thinking about it.
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Posted On : 2024-05-29 13:19:17
Posted By : I4374EPbryanm
Was a spectacular day with Rodrigo! Enjoyed everything from the ride through the cliffs to the hike to Marcahuasi 🙌 The views were absolutely breathtaking, not for the faint hearted 😂 highly recommend, you will have some nerves on the drive over but it’s completely safe
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Posted On : 2024-05-28 11:25:40
Posted By : Jim_D
Four tourists sitting in a four wheel drive vehicle with our driver/guide. Started at about 5am. About three+ of driving to get there on some of the roughest road to be found. Breakfast consisting of slices of avocado in a biscuit. Once there the views were spectacular and the ruins were interesting. It’s a big pile of boulders to climb over. The ride back was 4+ hours of brain jarring and back breaking rough road plus navigating Lima traffic during rush hour. Our driver/guide, Marcus was a good driver without a doubt and I assume he made the best of the situation under circumstances he has no control over. If we had known how much driving was involved in this tour and what we would actually see and do, we would not have gone. The description in Viator for this tour was sadly lacking in sufficient detail. If you go I would recommend taking a couple bottles water, hiking sticks, snacks, good hiking boots, a hat, and sun block. I’m probably generous at three stars. Certainly not a tour I would do again.
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Posted On : 2024-05-26 19:16:56
Posted By : alexandratravelsnow
We had a nice avocado sandwich breakfast on our way to the park. Very long, but beautiful drive! The guide is a very good driver. The people who live in the villages that we passed by really like him aswell. He even helped a local by picking her up in the car because else she had to walk all the way up the mountain to pick some flowers. Another local even gave him a bag of potatoes because he also helped her a few times before. Really tells a lot about his character :) You will feel safe with him and the park is also very special. Highly recommend going there to see some beautiful nature outside of Lima!
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Posted On : 2024-05-24 08:33:28
Posted By : PamelaK1964
I don't even know how to put into words what an amazing time I had on this excursion.
It was a long day with a very early start, but every minute of travel to get to and from Marcahuasi was worth it. My guide Carlos made this entire experience one I will never forget. He is very knowledgeable, a very good driver, and genuinely a wonderful person. He talked me through my fears and allowed me to experience a place so beautiful I can not stop thinking about it. The drive on the way up is scary if you are affected by heights (no guard rails, driving along a straight drop off to the bottom of the valley) and I knew this from reading other reviews, but I wanted to see it so badly I talked myself into it and I am so glad I did. Carlos has a lot of experience driving these roads, and there is absolutely no reason for concern. I was fortunate that I was the only one on his tour that day, and we didn't see any other hikers the entire trek, so it was perfect. Marcahuasi is a magical place, but I really think Carlos is the reason I enjoyed it so much. He recognized my fears and weaknesses and helped me achieve my goal. I can't thank him enough.
If you are trying to decide if this tour is for you, I say do it. It's a once in a lifetime experience that will stay with you forever.
BTW, Carlos is also an amazing photographer 🤩
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Posted On : 2024-05-21 08:19:24
Posted By : Micaela_O
Carlos was an absolutely INCREDIBLE tour guide. So knowledgeable and passionate about this area. He was easy to get chat with and made sure everyone felt comfortable at all times. I can’t recommend this experience enough. Truly once in a lifetime. Thank you Carlos!!
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Posted On : 2024-05-19 20:39:50
Posted By : WaiYin_P
A magical tour of a relatively unknown stone forest in a mountain plateau with breathtaking views! Coupled with an experienced adventure guide - Carlos is simply the best guide with his encouraging demeanour and timely help. If not for Carlos I’m not sure if I could complete the hike!
This tour should come with a health warning of sorts. The hike is at 4000m above sea level which means your body feels heavy and heart beats faster and hikers would benefit form walking poles which the guide can provide. The drive there is vigorous -imagine a bouncing 4WD ride for about 2 hours each way- and you get the picture! But the view is super worth it, together with what you might discover about yourself as you navigate the terrain.
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Posted On : 2024-05-15 11:14:18
