It is a mystic rock forest formed by the erosion of time and one of the most impressive geological attractions of the region. Hatun Machay – which in Quechua language means Big Cave - is a mere 1 1/2 hours from Huaraz, situated in the Cordillera Negra (Black Mountain Range) at an altitude of 4290 m.a.s.l.. This zone is home to an amazing stone forest of divers and interesting array of rock formations. The area is over 200 hectares in total and offers in its many sectors caves, ruins, and stone carvings and paintings dating back 10,000 years.

Today Hatun Machay is the largest Rock Climbing Centre in Peru. There is an extensive variety of all levels sport routes from absolute beginner to the truly hard core. Hatun Machay is also a boulders dream with enough problems to last a life time.

On top of climbing, Hatun also offers alternative activities such as mountain biking, trekking, archaeological and mystic tours and horse riding.

This is not all. Hatun Machay now has his own refuge sleeping up to 50 people. The Refuge offer beds, kitchen facilities, camping and bathrooms.

Hatun Machay is a sport climber’s paradise, with bolted routs ranging from level 4 up to 8a. There are also hundreds of bouldering routes within a 15 minute walk of the refuge, ranging from mild difficulty to near-impossible.

The most developed area to date is the northern sector, which faces the refuge, but whole areas are being added every month as we open up the amazing potential of Hatun Machay.

In the lower part of the valley we are currently opening up a new region with rock walls at up to 100m (300 feet). It’s a 30 minute walk from the refuge and offers a breathtaking view of the rock formations.

Hatun Machay now boats more than 250 sport routs in a radius of 1 Km or so. A detailed topographical map is available with routes, names, grades, heights and quality at climbs.

Hatun Machay is now considered the number one rock climbing destination in Peru.

Because of this and much more Hatun Machay is a place you can't miss.