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From
the Andes down to the river, sea or lake into which Peru's
rivers flow, the waters cascade down cliffs and mountainsides,
forming spectacular waterfalls. Some of these lie near roads,
while others take hours of hiking to reach amidst dense forest.
Huánuco
is famed for its beautiful landscapes, and largely so for
its waterfalls. At Pichgacocha (Five Lakes), the stream
tumbles down two waterfalls with 30 and 60-meter drops between
one lake and another. Other well known falls are the Velo
de Angel (25-28 meters), the Sirena Encantada (70 meters),
on top of Pacsapampa, and which its owes its name to the
charming surrounding landscape, and San Miguel (100 meters),
where one can swim in the pools formed nearby.
In
the department of San Martín, nature has been prodigious:
Ahuashiyacu is a 35-meter waterfall which is easily reached,
while Huacamaillo is made up a set of seven impressive falls.
Other waterfalls include the Gera and Tunun Tunumba, which
only be reached with the help of guides.
Near
the capital city of Lima lie the waterfalls of Pala Cala
and Zárate. The town of San Jerónimo de Surco
is the gateway to the twin waterfalls of Pala Cala, with
15 and 20-meter drops. Zárate, near the town of Llancha,
is a 40-meter waterfall, and visitors will need to be in
shape to be able to reach it. The 30-meter-high waterfall
at Huallhua is found in the department of Lima, but is reached
via the town of Pachacayo in the department of Junín,
which is also home to the waterfalls of Tirol (35 meters),
at the gateway to the jungle, and Parijaro, without a doubt
the most impressive falls in Peru, as the waters drop 297
meters in the area of Cutivireni, the refuge of the Asháninka
jungle tribe. |
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