Marcahuasi
Marcahuasi is a plateau in the Andes Mountains, located east of Lima, on the mountain range that rises to the right bank of the Rimac River. This mountain range dominates the landscape at 4,000 m above sea level. The ___location is on the list of Peru's Seven Wonders, because of its alleged mystical energy and historical relevance to a pre-Incan civilization. The main attractions for the few who visit Marcahuasi are the numerous rock formations with surprising likenesses to specific animals, people, and religious symbols.
Features
It, is a plateau that originated from a volcanic reaction, about 4 square kilometers in area, located almost 4000 meters high in Huarochiri, east of Lima, Peru, home to a unique set of huge granite rocks whose origins have many different theories. The most pragmatic ensure that these rocks are the effects of freaks of nature, carved in the rock by the erosive properties of wind and rain over the millennia. Curious shapes and designs show a certain likeness to human faces, animals, and religious symbols. (some require great imagination to see, others require very little imagination to see) The most notable stone figure of Marcahuasi is the "Monument to Humanity", a gigantic mass of granite, that from different angles, shows clear profiles of different human races.
There was a renowned Peruvian scholar named Doctor Daniel Ruzo who, in the 1950s, made a series of trips around the world and spent long periods in Marcahuasi. He reached the conclusion that the rocks are really sculptures made by a culture "Masma" or "Proto-Humanity" almost 10,000 years ago, who used techniques that have been found in other parts of the world such as Romania, Mexico, France and Brazil. According to Dr. Ruzo every cycle of approx. 8500 years, the planet suffers major disruptions that threaten the existence of all living beings and that in several places in the world, one of which is Marcahuasi, all of the knowledge, seeds, animals and humans are preserved. Dr. Ruzo wrote a book entitled Marcahuasi, the fantastic story of discovery, where you can see photos, descriptions, and theories from the study.
The town of San pedro de Casta, the overseeing municipality of Marcahuasi, does not provide any services in Marcahuasi, other than the assistance of a guide and a horse ride to the plateau and back to the town. So, travelers should carry all necessary equipment for the length of their stay when planning to spend the night in the Marcahuasi plateau. The favorite place for campers to stay is called the "Amphitheater", surrounded by large rocks that provide some protection against wind and cold .
Other, more seasoned outdoors-people, may stay on the "Fortress", the highest point of the plateau, where there is a huge monolith resembling a stone altar. Chullpas, terraces and numerous buildings of pre-Incan origin attest to the continued human presence that has been in these parts for many centuries. The locals say that Marcahuasi has a significant magnetic field and is a strategic point for the sighting of UFOs.
Access
To access Marcahuasi there are two bridle paths popularly called "The Long Road" (three to four hours by foot, ending in the Amphitheater) and the "Short Route" for the more seasoned (about two hours by foot, ending at the "Monument to Humanity"). Both paths start from the picturesque town of San Pedro de Casta (3,350 m ).
To get to San Pedro de Casta one must travel to Chosica and catch a bus. Directly off, the western side of, the main street of Chosica is a small market where one can find many buses, one labeled Marcahuasi or Casta will take travelers and market-goers through the valley heading north out of town to San Pedro de Casta (expect to catch the bus an hour before it is supposed to leave, because it has a rather flimsy schedule). Three to four hours later the bus will arrive in San Pedro de Casta. In San Pedro de Casta there is one hotel and three so-called restaurants off of the main square where tourists can stay and get food. A few guides and owners of horses live near the main square and, if asked, will accommodate travelers schedules for a manageable price.
San Pedro de Casta is also an interesting destination for travelers who love the popular festivities, although one must know the dates of these events. The celebrations tend to last through the night and are always accompanied by at least one band. Celebrations are held regularly throughout the year, centered mainly around days of specific saints and most nationally recognized holidays.
The best time to visit is during the months of June to October, this is the regions time for winter and its dry season.
Attractions
Among the most notable rock formations are:
- The Monument to Humanity
- The Prophet
- The Sphinx
- La Paloma
- The Alchemist .- Profile of a man hiding.
- Valley of the Seals
- The Amphitheater
- The Fortress
- El Sapo
- The Tortoise
- The Goddess Thueris
- The Helmet of God
- The Sanctuary
References
- Mazzotti Lopez, Daniel (2001). A backpack in Peru. Peruvian explorers.
- Video: Marcahuasi: Enigmatic Stones in the Peruvian Andes
External links