Travels around the world 2009-2024
Exploring our beautiful planet

Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve

September 27, 2019  —  Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru

The Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve protects a mix of magnificent snowy mountains, bright blue-green lakes, canyons, and rivers.

It's not a hidden gem, but since getting there is not easy if you don't have your own wheel, you don't see many tourists.

Day 1

Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from San Mateo de Huanchor to Tanta - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
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Day 2

Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Road from Tanta to Vilca - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
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Days 3 and 4

Visiting the villages of Vilca, Huancaya and Vitis... Check the next post.

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Day 5

Route from Huancaya to Huancavelica - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Route from Huancaya to Huancavelica - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Route from Huancaya to Huancavelica - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Route from Huancaya to Huancavelica - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Route from Huancaya to Huancavelica - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Route from Huancaya to Huancavelica - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Route from Huancaya to Huancavelica - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Route from Huancaya to Huancavelica - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Route from Huancaya to Huancavelica - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Route from Huancaya to Huancavelica - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Route from Huancaya to Huancavelica - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Route from Huancaya to Huancavelica - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Route from Huancaya to Huancavelica - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Route from Huancaya to Huancavelica - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
Route from Huancaya to Huancavelica - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru

In the last hour before reaching a mountain pass at close to 5000 metres, I was hearing thunder behind me, and I could see some thick dark clouds on the horizon. I stopped at the highest point on this journey, thinking I can take a 15 minutes break for some photos. Ouch! The rains catch on in just a few minutes.

At this altitude, it's actually snow falling from the sky. The ground quickly turns to mud and driving the motorbike become more perilous. I can choose to backtrack knowing that I have at least a 3-hour drive before reaching a place to shelter. I can also choose to continue on my way not really knowing what's coming, but also how many hours will be needed before I reach civilization.

I chose to go on. From that moment on, I spent the next hour in the snow and mud with a very bad visibility. Since my helmet's visor is constantly fogged up, I have to leave it open, but that way, the snow hits my face and it's really hard to keep my eyes open. So much fun!

Route from Huancaya to Huancavelica - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru

After this arduous hour, the snow change to rain since I go down in altitude. Finally, I can see in front of me. However, I will enjoy two more hours of rains. Even with my rain gears, I ended up being wet and shaking from the cold.

When I finally arrive in a small village, I am lucky enough to find that it has a hotel. My host welcomes me somewhat surprised since I travel with a motorbike, and especially because I am stuttering so much from my shaking and the fact I am numb.

I am starving and the one restaurant in the village is closed. I ask my host to help me and he takes my hand and brings me to a private house where he asks the family to make me a meal. I eat an excellent llama steak with vegetables.

All is well that ends well.

Route from Huancaya to Huancavelica - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
The snow is getting close.
Route from Huancaya to Huancavelica - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
10 minutes later, the visibility is almost zero.
Route from Huancaya to Huancavelica - Nor Yauyos-Cochas Landscape Reserve - Peru
I continue on my way.