Lomas de Lachay: A paradise not far from Lima
At this time of the year, life begins to flourish in Lomas de Lachay (Lachay Hills).
The desert becomes a beautiful meadow and the reserve, located only two hours away from the nation’s capital, turns into a natural beauty.
The fog starts piercing Lomas de Lachay between June and November and leads to turning the natural reserve green while providing life to more than 5,000 hectares of the national reserve.
How to arrive
In Lima, there are tourism companies offering rides to Huacho city. Travelers can get off the bus at the station on the Panamericana Highway. At the site, there is a path, which leads to the reserve’s entrance.
Admission
If the visitors are locals (Chanchay, Huaral or Huacho), adults pay S/.5.00 (about US$1.60) and children only S/.1.50 (about US$0.50). Concerning non-local, adults have to pay S/.10.00 (about US$3.20) and children S/.3.00 (about US$0.95).
Camping
If the tourists want to have a closer experience with nature, they are granted the chance to camp in the area. If so, they will have to pay S/.20.00 (about US$6.39) per adult for a 3-day stay and S/.6.00 (about US$1.91) per each child.
At the site a parking and a picnic areas are to be found.
Contact with Nature
Flora
Among the forest species the reserve the hosts, the ones standing out are: Spiny Holdback or tara; Campomanesia Speciosa; Vasconcellea candicans or mito and Prosopis pallida or Huarango. These species have the ability to adapt to the mist usually seen during the season.
Fauna
Visitors can contemplate different bird species, such as the common kestrel, variable hawl, «cactus canastero», tawny-throated dotterel and others, such as the Andean tinamou. In total, 60 bird species have been identified so far. Other animals are bats, Darwin’s leaf-eared mice (Phyllotis darwini) and the Sechuran fox.
Petroglyphs
There is a mountain chain featuring fanciful rocks, as a consequence of wind and water erosion. These rocks also receive humidity through the fogs that shower the lower areas and provide life to flora and fauna. Petroglyphs are to be found on these rocks.
These ideographic Pre-Columbian paintings are mainly located in the northern part of the reserve, where nearly 40 of them could be discovered.
Recommendations
There are 2 well-defined seasons in Lachay. The humid season, starting in June is sensed thru October, while the dry season initiating in January concludes in May. The highest humidity level is felt in July, due to the presence of the mist.
According to experts, it is better visiting the reserve during the humid season.
Before entering the area it is recommended to bring sunscreen, fresh water, wear wide brimmed hats, light clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
If individuals decide to opt for camping, they should be provided warming clothes, since the temperature could drop at nights.
