THE ENIGMATIC TINAJANI CANYON

 

 

 

When we talk about Puno, the first thing that immediately comes to mind is its majestic Lake Titicaca and its picturesque floating islands, but in this region of the high plateau located in southern Peru there is another somewhat unknown place that was hidden for a long time called the TINAJANI CANYON which has a special magic. 

 

  

 

This is the perfect place for travelers who enjoy discovering stunning natural landscapes. In the more than 200 hectares that this unique area encompasses, we can find imposing and gigantic sculptures of whimsical shapes made of sandstone, hence the characteristic reddish color that distinguishes them from the rest of the landscape.

 

  

 

This unique landscape is crossed by the Pacobamba River, which, like a haven of crystal-clear and tranquil waters, flows silently at the edge of these stone giants that, like mute witnesses, lie petrified by the passage of time; without a doubt, this landscape will leave you breathless.

 

 

 

 Scientists have discovered that this place was submerged underwater millions of years ago, and that the action of water, and later the wind, gradually shaped these strange figures. One of the most widespread legends of the area tells of giants who lived their lives normally here, and that when an eclipse occurred, these giants were petrified and transformed into these unusual rock formations.

 

 

To get to this place you must arrive in Puno, a city located 1,290 kilometers south of Lima. After arriving in Puno, you have to go to the city of Ayaviri (150 kilometers from Puno). From Ayaviri the road diverts and after a 14-kilometer walk you reach this unusual canyon. The trail is easily accessible with most of the terrain flat.

 

  

Armando el cronista