Turquoise Waters of Millpu tour from Ayacucho: swim natural pools

Swim in turquoise pools surrounded by canyon walls and mountain flora

This full-day tour from Ayacucho takes you to the Turquoise Waters of Millpu, a river canyon at 3,600 meters elevation where natural pools hold water so clear and blue you can see the riverbed. A 3.5-hour journey through the highlands brings you to the site; private transportation and an English-speaking guide are included. The turquoise color is most vivid from May through November, and the gentle water makes swimming possible at multiple pools along the canyon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Turquoise Waters Millpu

• Travel 3.5 hours to Millpu
• Explore turquoise natural pools
• Swim in refreshing waters

The Experience

The drive from Ayacucho takes 3.5 hours, climbing into the highlands between the towns of Circamarca and Huancaraylla in Víctor Fajardo Province. Private transportation means you travel at your own pace without waiting for other groups, and the route itself winds through terrain where the flora and fauna shift as you gain elevation. By the time you reach the Turquoise Waters at 3,600 meters, the landscape has opened into high-altitude canyon country.

The river pools are the draw: water so clear and colored that it looks unreal, with gentle currents that make swimming possible rather than just wading. The canyon walls rise around you, and the pools sit at different points along the river, so the day unfolds as a series of stops where you can enter the water, move downstream, and find another pool. The refreshing temperature and the turquoise color together create the kind of moment that makes the long drive worth planning around.

The full outing runs about 10 hours from pickup to return, which accounts for the drive both ways and time in the canyon itself. An English-speaking guide travels with you, so the ecology and geography of the route become part of the experience rather than a mystery. The tour works best between May and November, when the mineral content in the water shows its most vivid turquoise; outside those months the color fades. Bring a swimsuit, a towel and sun protection—the high altitude means the sun is stronger than it feels, and there is little shade in the canyon.

What’s included

Private transportation from Ayacucho; an English-speaking guide for the full day.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Huancaraylla Tours Peru

Is this one for you?This tour suits travelers who want to swim in a natural setting without arranging their own transport to a remote highland location. The private vehicle and guide mean you focus on the pools and the canyon instead of logistics, and the 10-hour structure keeps the full experience—drive, canyon time, return—inside a single day.

Traveler reviews

4.33★★★★★★★★★★

6 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What makes the water at Millpu turquoise?

The Turquoise Waters of Millpu are colored by minerals in the river, and the clarity of the water lets you see the riverbed, which intensifies the blue. The color is most vivid from May through November; outside those months the water remains clear but loses the vivid turquoise hue.

How long is the drive from Ayacucho to the Turquoise Waters?

The journey takes 3.5 hours each way, climbing from Ayacucho through the highlands to reach the river canyon at 3,600 meters elevation near Circamarca and Huancaraylla.

Can I swim in the pools?

Yes, the pools have gentle and refreshing water that makes swimming possible. You'll have multiple opportunities to enter the water at different points along the canyon as the day unfolds.

What is included in the tour?

Private transportation from Ayacucho and an English-speaking guide are included. Breakfast and park entry tickets are not covered, so plan to bring food or purchase it along the way.

Is this tour physically demanding?

The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. You'll spend time at high altitude (3,600 meters), and the day involves walking along the canyon and entering the water. It is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health.