The Huayllay Stone Forest : An Offbeat Destination in Peru

Introduction

When one thinks of tourism in Peru, images of mystic Machu Picchu often come to mind. But, this South American country offers much more than just ancient Incan ruins! Not considering its other tourist attractions could result in missing out on the opportunity to learn more about this beautiful place. One of Peru’s lesser known destinations is the Huayllay Stone Forest.

Geography 

The Huayllay Stone Forest is located in the central Andean region of Peru on the Bombon Plateau at an altitude higher than 4,000 meters above sea level. What makes this place unique and worth a trip off the well-beaten tourist path is its strange rock formations. The otherwise unassuming landscape plays host to these giant columns which portray animal and human shapes and surprisingly jut out of the ground as if rooted there. 

History and Background

This beautiful Huayllay Stone Forest National Sanctuary was once part of the ocean floor some 70 million years ago. When the ocean parted way and uncovered this section of land, it was left exposed to other natural elements which helped in the creation of the Stone Forest. Rain beating down, wind chipping away at cracks and glaciers slowly eroding away at the rock are all responsible for leaving behind these protruding memorials. 

The Peruvian government officially declared this a protected area in 1974 in an attempt to conserve these geological oddities. There are over 4,000 formations spread out over a 6,800-hectare area. In 1997, it was named a National Zone of Tourist Interest which means the government had every intention of investing in its development as such. Not having forgotten the zone’s potential, it was again remembered in 2001 when the government announced that it was also a Cultural National Patrimony.

Tourism

Despite its longstanding status as a National Sanctuary and Patrimony, the Huayllay Stone Forest is still not well known by tourists, neither local nor foreign. There are some small festivals that take place to celebrate supposed UFO sightings, but even these do not draw many visitors. This, of course, makes it the perfect place to visit for those who are tired of shoving through large crowds of people and standing in hour-long lines just to buy entrance tickets. 

This Stone Sanctuary is for the most adventurous of spirits who don’t mind sharing their surroundings with numerous llamas that freely roam the area. There are several hiking trails waiting to discovered, the shortest of which are anywhere from 4 to 6 hours in length. In addition to hiking, the area also allows rock climbing and mountain biking. And after a long day of exhausting physical activity, tourists are welcomed into the natural hot springs the protected zone has to offer. Though the nearby towns offer simple accommodations, there are many visitors who choose to camp instead. 

Habitat & Biodiversity 

As with many geographical regions throughout Peru, the Huayllay Stone Forest is filled with unparalleled flora and fauna. Roaming amid the tall, geological columns are scampering viscachas (from the chinchilla family), bounding vicuñas (relative of the llama) and soaring hawks. Other small mammals also abound, from foxes to skunks. The plant life is typical of the high altitude: brush and flowering evergreen shrubs. Perhaps of interest to plant enthusiasts is the Polylepis, a small, endangered tree that is unique to the Andean mountains. 

Written By: Amber Pariona, Peru.