In the Sacred Valley of the Incas there are many important districts such as the district of Lamay.
Lamay comes from the word “llamac” which means place where llamas live, which later derived the name Lamay, a very picturesque district with a lot of pre-Inca and Inca history where one of its tourist attractions is known as Huchuy Qosqo (small Cusco) which is in front of this district passing the Vilcanota river.
The climate in the district of Lamay is temperate which varies between 12°C and 23°C.
In the district of Lamay there are tourist sites that are archaeological, historical, ecological, thermal, medicinal and experiential tourism scenarios such as:
- SIRENACHAYOC WATERFALL
- ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF HUCHUYQOSQO
- HUISPAN GROTTO
- CCACCATO HOT SPRINGS
- LOCAL GASTRONOMY
We present a brief description of each place:
SIRENACHAYOC WATERFALL
Written in the Quechua word that means “Where there are Mermaids”; This new attraction in the district of Lamay within the Sacred Valley of the Incas possesses great natural beauty which is found in the community of Chuquibamba, the water that falls in this waterfall is the conjunction of the heights of the communities of Huanco Pillpintu and Huanco Mullnunkus, which after you make the waterfall becomes water belonging to the Vilcanota river.
This waterfall has two waterfalls, the most important has a fall of 10 meters high and the second has a lower height.
The best time of the year to visit this new natural tourist attraction is between the months of November to May, where the volume of the waterfall is greater and the landscape surrounding this place becomes greener.
HOW TO GET TO SIRENACHAYOQ WATERFALL
To get to this waterfall we must walk about 30 minutes from the town of Lamay towards the falls, you can also make use of a private vehicle where there is a parking area, upon reaching the entrance or control gate you will make a significant payment to keep this place the cost is 2 nuevos soles, the walk is of moderate difficulty.
The first 10 minutes is a light walk and flat terrain, then we will have to walk uphill.
ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE OF HUCHUY QOSQO
Written in the Quechua word meaning “Little Cusco”, this archaeological site is located north of Cusco in the district of Lamay.
Huchuyqosqo was built by the Inca Wiracocha, which was probably his royal hacienda, in order to rest and take a little break from the activities of the Inca government.
Here there is a great amount of constructions being the predominant material the stone and adobe. Also in it we can observe terraces, terraces and two-story buildings used for the conservation of some products such as meat, potatoes, cereals, etc. And an irrigation system dedicated to agricultural production through its terraces.
HOW TO GET TO HUCHUY QOSQO
To reach this archaeological site can be accessed by the archaeological site of Tambomachay with a walk of more than 8 hours and the entrance of the town of Lamay from the bottom with an average of 4 hours.
There are some tourist agencies that offer this type of alternative trekking in the city of Cusco that offers a different experience from the classic Inca Trail and Salkantay trek, although the number of people who go to this destination is small, it is recommended to consult with your travel agency.
HUISPAN GROTTO
The huispan cave is one of the symbolic festivities of Lamay where more than half a century ago the image of the Virgin of Fatima was honored, it is there in this cave where the image of the virgin is found, a cave with a magnificent view and easy access for all visitors from the town of Lamay.
CCACCATO HOT SPRINGS
A thermo-medicinal attraction that Lamay has is the well-known hor springs of Ccaccato or Ccaccatu, an attraction of 4 springs with temperatures around 24°C.
GASTRONOMY OF LAMAY
The district of Lamay is very well known for its cuy al palo, after visiting the Sirenachayoc waterfall or hiking to Huchuy Qosqo, a good place to recharge your batteries is Lamay and enjoy the delicious dish Cuy al Palo accompanied by noodles in the pot and also baked with steamed Andean potatoes, often accompanied by aji panca or aji sauce, which gives it a spicy flavor.
