Widow's Mountain Range

This adventure took place between Marcapomacocha, at the foot of the La Viuda mountain range (Junín), and Laguna Chuchún, in the Chillón Valley. It is a magical territory, with snow-capped mountains, camelids, and beautiful water mirrors along the way. The route starts in Marcapomacocha, a village located in the icy highlands of the Yauli province (Junín), four hours from Lima. Its name means "village of lakes and pumas." While pumas are not easily spotted anymore, I only recall seeing some footprints that could have belonged to a puma during our journey. However, the village is home to 42 lakes of green, blue, or turquoise hues that mesmerize anyone. The pure air, the sky so close and blue that it sometimes seems touchable, and the herds of llamas and alpacas make the effort worthwhile. But it is the beautiful lakes of Azulcocha, Leoncocha, and Vanaulla, with the La Viuda snow-capped mountain in the background, that make one grateful for the opportunity to walk through this place despite its extremely unpredictable weather. The hike culminates at Laguna Chuchún, in the Chillón River basin.