The Tinajani Canyon, one of the hidden wonders of Puno

When we talk about Puno, the first thing that comes to mind is Lake Titicaca. However, this department has hidden corners that have a special magic. Today, we bring you a new place to visit on your trip to southern Peru: the Tinajani Canyon. Keep reading and discover this wonderful destination!

How to get to Tinajani Canyon?

The Tinajani Canyon is located 12 kilometers southeast of Ayaviri, Melgar province, in Puno.

To get to this natural area you have to go to Pucará, 2 hours from the city of Puno. From this point you travel the route that goes to Cusco. Along the way you will be able to see a desolate scene but full of ichu, the typical grass of the Andean highlands, which gives it a yellowish hue to the eye. Likewise, you will be able to observe many undulating rivers that are reminiscent of those found throughout the Peruvian Amazon. At times, you can also see cattle running or eating grass in their natural habitat. When the Cordillera de la Raya begins to appear in the Andes and you see snow-capped mountains like Chimboya, you will know that you are approaching the Ayaviri district. When you get there, it will only take you 10 minutes to the entrance of Tinajani Canyon. You can do this tour with a motorcycle taxi from Ayaviri.

The welcome to the Canyon will be a 93 meter high rock, named among the residents as El Vigía. From there, you must undertake a walk that will leave you speechless.

Tinajani Canyon

The Tinajani Canyon has an area of 250 hectares and is located at 3953 meters above sea level. This is formed by three large streams, Queñuacuyo, Pacobamba and Huarachani. With this, the natural landscape takes on unpredictable figures with very particular configurations. It is an ideal destination for those who like to practice adventure sports such as rock climbing, paragliding, hiking and horseback riding, among others.

Within its vast territory you can find enormous stones that have been carved and molded thanks to the wind and various meteorological circumstances. The different shapes of these stones can be interpreted in various ways by visitors. Among these you can find human figures, saurians, granite ghosts and winged sphinxes. These rocks can measure from 50 meters to more.

The reason why the Tinajani Canyon has such particular rock configurations is because millions of years ago the area was covered with water and a lot of volcanic activity occurred. Thus, temperature changes and wind phenomena gave way to the Tinajani Canyon becoming the natural wonder it is today.

Nature and living culture

In addition to having an enviable natural wealth, it was also the territory of Quechua-speaking settlers of the Qaluyo culture. This population was settled in the valley of the Pacobamba River, which is very close to Tinajani. What can be observed of this culture are the tombs and chullpas that are still found within the territory of the Canyon.

Thanks to residents who still participate in interacting with the Canyon, very popular traditions and festivities are maintained. Thus, in July the Music and Dance Festival takes place at the foot of Tinajani. This event brings together not only hundreds of dancers from across the region but also national and foreign visitors who come with the desire to see the culture of the highlands in action.

Legends around the canyon

The Canyon is not only a beautiful natural setting, on the contrary, it is part of the oral tradition of the region. Thus, various legends have been inherited about Tinajani.

One of the most famous is the one that tells that the Inca Pachacutec was worried because the Collasuyo region was going through a drought, which meant that there was no food and that the inhabitants and animals were dying.

To counteract the drought, the Inca gathered the best fortune tellers, who responded that the cause of this phenomenon came from the presence of a devil that had taken possession of the region. Given this, Pachacutec orders his army to make three lithic jars in the Tinajani ravine so that the devil can purify himself in the cold waters and leave the region or remain prisoner within the waters.

The residents say that in the rainy months the voice and moan of the devil trapped in the jars can be heard. However, other residents say that it is on cold nights when the devil bathes in the waters.

#ElDato

The temperature of the Canyon ranges from 19°C to -2°C, so it is recommended that when you go to visit you bring warm clothing and also a light polo shirt. The ideal season, also, is between April and October.

What will you find in Tinajani Canyon?

Tinajani Canyon is a perfect place for those who love to explore impressive natural landscapes. In its more than 200 hectares you will find imposing and gigantic sandstone rock formations that give this space its characteristic reddish color.

These formations are accompanied by the Pacobamba, a river with calm crystalline waters that runs through the ravines of the canyon. The landscape that you can see in this place will leave you speechless!