The tour begins at 06:00 in the morning. We’ll be waiting for you at Portal Constitución No. 09, right on Ayacucho’s Plaza de Armas (2,761 m.a.s.l.), to set off towards Huanta, the first stop on your itinerary. Travel time: approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Our meeting point is directly opposite the Cathedral of Huamanga, so you won’t have any trouble finding us. If you prefer maximum comfort, book a private tour and we’ll collect you straight from your hotel.

You’ll find full tour details in the Details and Notes tab.

In “The Emerald of the Andes”, as the city of Huanta (2627 m a.s.l.) is known, the capital of the province with the same name, your guide will recommend several local restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious breakfast.

Arrival in this warm-climate destination, a pioneer in ecotourism in the Ayacucho region, is scheduled for 07:30 hours. After breakfast — where you really should try the chapla bread and sesame punch — your journey by road will continue.

The tourist transport will then take you to the starting point of the hike (around 1 hour 30 minutes). At about 10:00 hours, you’ll take your first steps towards the natural mirror of water the locals call Verdeccocha. Hiking time: 30 minutes.

High up, way up, at 4100 m a.s.l., a 3.4-hectare lagoon will reveal itself before your eyes. Its emerald-green waters will leave you speechless; by then, the physical effort of the uphill trek will feel like nothing more than a story to tell.

From Esmeralda Lagoon — or Verdeccocha (which means “green lagoon” in english) — you’ll have a perfect view of Apu Razuhuillca, the guardian mountain of the region and the highest peak of the range that bears its name. Admire it and take as many photos as you like. Every single one will be spectacular.

After delighting all your senses at this lagoon in the Huantino district of Uchuraccay, you’ll return to the starting point of the hike (approx. 30 minutes), where your transport will be waiting to take you to the next stop on the tour.

On 26 January 1983, eight journalists, a guide and a villager were killed in Uchuraccay. The reason: the locals believed they were members of the Shining Path, the subversive group that spread fear and death across the region.

This tragic event was one of the most brutal episodes of the period of terror that Peru — and especially Ayacucho — endured in the closing decades of the last century. The violence forced many villages, including Uchuraccay, to be abandoned.

When peace finally returned, a slow process of repopulation began, alongside efforts to heal the wounds left by the violence. The creation of the Sanctuary of Peace and Reconciliation in 2017 was one of the outcomes of that commitment.

Located on the ruins of the old village of Uchuraccay (4000 m a.s.l.), this ecological and memorial space honours the martyrs of journalism and remembers the suffering of the local communities.

Pay close attention, dear traveller — these stories are part of Ayacucho’s history. However, nowadays the situation is far calmer, so don’t feel afraid to explore the wonders this place has to offer.

The visit is scheduled for 13:00 hours.

At 14:00 hours you’ll be back in Huanta for lunch. Just as with breakfast, your guide will recommend the best local restaurants. The choice is yours: go for a hearty set menu or order several dishes à la carte.

Among Huanta’s traditional cuisine, the following dishes stand out: avocado salad, pachamanca, fried guinea pig, mondongo and crispy pork chicharrón. For dessert, try the pumpkin pudding; and to drink, the traditional chicha made with seven seeds, molle or peanuts.

After lunch — and a well-deserved treat — get ready to start the city tour of Huanta, “The Emerald of the Andes”.

Before returning to Ayacucho, you’ll stroll through the Plaza de Armas of Huanta, built in 1852, and visit the town’s main church. Dedicated to Saint Peter, it was erected in the 19th century and stands out for its simple design and stone towers.

The city tour, scheduled for 15:30 hours, also includes a visit to the Cristo Blanco viewpoint, where you’ll find the tallest statue of Jesus in Peru. From here, you’ll enjoy spectacular views over the Huanta valley — perfect snapshots to end the day.

Itinerary complete. It’s time to return to Ayacucho (16:30 hours), after an enriching experience that brought you closer to nature, the recent history of Ayacucho, and the culture and flavours of Huanta.

Your adventure to the Emerald Lagoon will finish close to the Plaza de Armas of Ayacucho at 18:00 hours.

If you booked the private tour, we’ll drop you off at your hotel or accommodation.