Marcahuasi day trip from Lima: Stone forest hike at 4,000m

Hike a high-altitude stone forest and watch the landscape transform on the drive back down

A day trip from Lima to Marcahuasi, a plateau at over 4,000 meters above sea level famous for monumental rock formations that resemble faces, animals and figures. You drive through the Rimac valley and Andean foothills, take a two-hour walk across the meseta, and return the same day with a guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese. Breakfast is included. Children from age 8 are welcome. The full outing runs 10 to 12 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Journey and exploration of Marcahuasi

• Drive from Lima to Chosica
• Drive from Chosica to Santa Eulalia
• Stop for light breakfast in Santa Eulalia
• Drive from Santa Eulalia to Callahuanca
• Drive from Callahuanca to San Pedro de Casta
• Visit Autisha bridge for photos
• Hike for two hours on Marcahuasi plateau
• Return drive from Marcahuasi to Lima

The experience

The drive from Lima toward Chosica follows the Central Highway along the Rimac valley, where the city gradually gives way to dry hillsides and rock formations typical of Lima's lower sierra. From Chosica the route continues into quieter terrain, passing small farms and rural settlements as the climate grows warmer and drier. You stop in Santa Eulalia for a light breakfast before the road begins to climb toward Callahuanca, where chirimoya trees line the terraced slopes and the valley opens into wide views. The landscape shifts again as you approach San Pedro de Casta: the road ascends past agricultural terraces and rocky ridges, and at the midpoint you cross the Autisha bridge, an emblematic span surrounded by deep canyons and geological formations that offer views across the terrain.

Marcahuasi itself sits on a plateau above 4,000 meters, a high-altitude meseta ringed by giant stone formations that resemble sculptures: faces, animals, and figures that seem to emerge from the rock. The two-hour walk across the plateau takes you through these formations in silence and clear air, with panoramic views that stretch to the horizon. The rock shapes are what draw people here. The operator describes them as monumental and mysterious, and the walk itself is the core of the day.

The return journey descends from 4,000 meters through mountain ranges, deep ravines and small Andean villages that retain their rural character. As you drop in elevation, the air warms, agricultural zones reappear, and the landscape gradually shifts back toward the warmer valleys that surround Lima. The full outing takes 10 to 12 hours from pickup to return. A guide travels with you throughout in English, Spanish or Portuguese, and the operator includes hotel pickup from Lima.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Lima.
• breakfast in Santa Eulalia.
• a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese throughout the day.
• access to the Marcahuasi plateau and the two-hour walk among the stone formations.

Before you book

Days and timesDaily · 05:00 and 05:30

AgesAges 18+ · 12 to 17 years · 8 to 11 years · Under 8 — No ticket type: can't be added to a booking

Meeting point and pickupPickup optional · ends where it starts

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomeNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Go Touch Peru experiences

Is this one for you?Book this if you're ready for a full day commitment with an early pickup and high-altitude hiking over 4,000m. The guide handles all logistics and transport, so you just show up.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

12 to 17 years; 8 to 11 years. Under 8: no ticket type, they can't be added to a booking.

What is the two-hour walk at Marcahuasi actually like?

The walk crosses the Marcahuasi plateau at over 4,000 meters, moving among giant stone formations that resemble faces and animals. The terrain is a high-altitude meseta surrounded by these rock shapes, with clear air and views that extend to the horizon. It is not a technical climb (the walk itself is the main activity), but the altitude and the two-hour duration mean moderate fitness is needed.

How much time do I spend driving versus walking?

The full day runs 10 to 12 hours. Most of that is driving: the route from Lima to the plateau takes several hours, with stops in Santa Eulalia for breakfast and at the Autisha bridge for photos. The walk at Marcahuasi itself lasts two hours. The return drive descends through the Andes back toward Lima.

What happens during the drive up to Marcahuasi?

The drive follows the Rimac valley from Lima through Chosica and into the Andean foothills, passing dry hillsides, small farms and rural settlements. You stop in Santa Eulalia for a light breakfast, then continue climbing through terraced agricultural slopes toward Callahuanca. Near San Pedro de Casta, the road crosses the Autisha bridge, a landmark surrounded by deep canyons and rock formations where you can stop for photos.

What should I know about the altitude?

Marcahuasi sits above 4,000 meters (over 13,000 feet). The climb from Lima is gradual (you pass through Chosica and the lower sierra before ascending into the high plateau), so your body has time to adjust. Moderate physical fitness is recommended. The operator notes the tour is not suitable for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or spinal injuries.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese; hotel pickup from Lima; and breakfast in Santa Eulalia. You pay one price for the full day.