The Lima department: attractions in the highland provinces

San Pedro de Casta and Marcahuasi
San Pedro de Casta, a pretty little town in the Lima highlands, (3,350 masl) is famous for celebrating the traditional Fiesta del Agua (water festival) on the first Sunday in October, and also for being the starting off point to visit the archaeological site and natural rock formations at Marcahuasi (4,000 masl), a centre for new age mystics who believe it to be a magnetic centre. Marcahuasi spreads across 4 km2 of high plateau, featuring colossal rock formations such as the well known Monument to Humanity, a rock with the shape of a human face. The site is ideal for astronomers and those seeking spirituality.

Forests of Zárate
At kilometre 56 of the Central Highway (Carretera Central) lies the town of San Bartolomé, from where a six-and-a-half hour hike leads to the forests of Zárate (3,100 meters), a highland grazing area. The trail is narrow and zigzagging, but crosses through several picturesque villages until it reaches this balmy forest teeming with wildlife. The area has given life to native tree species including the San Pedro cactus, used by medicine men for its hallucinogenic effects. The ideal time to visit the forest is from April through June.

Canta and Obrajillo
These picturesque towns lie between 104 and 106 km east of Lima up the valley of the Chillón River. Surrounded by fields of crops and green hills, the area is ideal for camping. Canta, at 2,800 meters and linked to the capital by a paved road, is famous for its breath-taking scenery and dairy products. Obrajillo, 3 km from Canta, is smaller and quieter, and is popular with campers for its peaceful countryside by the banks of the river, an area carpeted with wildflowers. Its main square features superb colonial houses with ancient wooden balconies. Some 15 km from Canta lie the pre-Hispanic ruins of Cantamarca (3,500 meters), built by the Atahuallos culture. The locals gather here to celebrate the Fiesta de la Cruz (Festival of the Cross), held from May 1-3. Near Canta, between the Yanacocha gorge and the town of Huaros grow two groves of the Puya Raimondi, a cactus-like plant. The Puya Raimondi, which can grow more than 10 meters high, produces around 17,000 flowers, a world record. It flowers just once in its 100-year lifetime, before releasing its seeds and dying.

Source: Lima, the City of Kings and its surrounding areas. A traveler's guide, by Promperú.