HOW TO VISIT THE NATURAL POOLS OF MILLPU, AYACUCHO


From famous Inca Ruins of Machu Picchu to incredible Red Beach of the Paracas National Reserve, Peru has so much to offer. I’ve been living in Peru for several years now and still can’t get enough of this beautiful country. Last weekend we visited Peru’s incredible hidden gem – the

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THE NATURAL POOLS OF MILLPU
The Natural Pools of Millpu (also known as “Aguas Turquesas Milpo” or “Piscinas Naturales de Millpu”) are 20 natural pools in the form of steps upon white stones, located in Ayacucho region of Peru at 3600 m above the sea level. What makes these lagoons so special is the color of water – turquoise or green depending on the season.

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE NATURAL POOLS OF MILLPU IN AYACHUCHO
The best time to visit Natural Pools of Millpu is during Peru’s dry season, that lasts from May till November. During this time the water is especially clear and bright.

HOW TO GET TO MILLPU POOLS FROM LIMA
First, you need to get to Ayacucho, this is where you will start your Millpu tour. Ayacucho is the capital city of Ayacucho region located high in the Peruvian Andes at the elevation of 2,761 m. It’s a small town with a population of about 200, 000 people.

The easiest way to get to Millpu Pools from Lima is by flying from Lima to Ayachucho (approx. 35 min). Optionally, you can go by bus. Many companies offer an overnight bus from Lima to Ayachuco (around 11 hours). Just note that buses very often get delayed and don’t arrive as planned, so I recommend not to schedule Millpu pools tour for the same day of your arrival.

MILLPU POOLS TOUR
Here is my recommendation for a full day Millpu tour with an English guide.

The beginning of the Millpu Pools trek is located in the small village of Circamarca, Huancaraylla region. It’s a 4 hours drive from the Plaza De Armas.

On the way to Huancaraylla, we stopped in a small diner to grab some breakfast. It’s a pretty simple place where you can order a sandwich of local Andean cheese and a huge portion of “Caldo de Gallina” (hot chicken soup) as well as some other basic dishes.

Interesting fact: Peruvians who live at high elevation usually eat a very big breakfast, which includes everything listed above?

Once there, you will be greeted by Quechua-speaking locals and offered a cup of muna tea. It’s a local tradition and the way to treat guests, therefore you have to accept it. It’s actually a very tasty drink that will help you fight altitude sickness.

A native Quechua woman in colourful Peruvian clothes walking towards a village in Millpu, PeruSave
Trekking Millpu is not hard at all (it’s nothing like hiking Rainbow Mountain in Cusco?). It’s a 30-45min hike towards the surreal turquoise lagoons. Once you’ve reached the viewing point, spend some time taking in the scenery, it’s truly incredible.

Pro tip: Don’t stop just yet, walk around 10 min more to reach the summit and see the waterfalls and impressive rock formations that shape the canyon. Then you can go down to the lagoons.

Natural pools of Millpu look so incredible that you will want to dip your body in. However, beware that this inviting turquoise water is freezing cold! My feet could barely resist some minutes while we were taking photos. Besides, it’s also forbidden to swim in Millpu lagoons, you can only enter up till your knees.

A group of people with hiking equipment walking towards Millpu Lagoons in Ayacucho, Peru
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Around 2 PM you will make your way back to the village to enjoy lunch.

Fish farms in The Andes, Ayacucho region, PeruSave


Millpu Lagoons is a full-day tour, so don’t plan anything else that day. You will arrive back to Ayacucho around 7 PM.

If planning on visiting Cusco, check out my Cusco city guide where I shared the best things to do in around Cusco?

WHAT TO BRING
Warm clothes (it’s very cold in the morning and at night, so wear some warm layers of clothing that you can take off once it gets hot)
Sunscreen
Hat
Trekking boots
Slippers (you can’t enter to the pools with them but they are very useful meanwhile you are chilling next to the lagoons. We didn’t bring any and had to stay barefoot)
Swimming suit (mostly for photos, as you can’t actually swim anyway)
Toilet paper (toilets are very basic there, so you will need to have your own paper. Optionally, you can also buy it at your breakfast stop)
Hands sanitizer
BEST THINGS TO DO IN AYACUCHO
Visiting The Natural Pools of Millpu is the best thing to do in the Ayacucho region. If you are looking for some other things to do in the city, here are some ideas for you:

Visit some of Ayacucho’s beautiful cathedrals. Ayacucho is known as the city of 33 churches, therefore there are lots of cathedrals to choose from.
Travel girl in brown skirt and black hat in front of the red church gate in Ayacucho, Peru
Girl in white dress in front of Cathedral in Ayacucho, Peru
Buy a “retablo”. This colorful art piece is not only one of the best souvenirs to bring from Peru, but also a symbol of Ayachuco Region. You can easily find them everywhere around the city, in different shapes, sizes, and colors. However, the best place to buy a retablo is the local crafts market, called “Centro Artesanal Shosaku Nagase”
Peruvian craft Retablo in Ayacucho, PeruSave
Have lunch at ViaVia Café. It’s a great place to enjoy the local food while overlooking Plaza De Armas. There are plenty of dishes to choose from.
Boy holding Peruvian potato over a bar in Ayacucho, Peru
Viva Viva Cafe in Ayacucho, Peru
View of Plaza De Armas in Ayacucho, PeruSave
Lunch with a view in ViaVia Cafe
Explore the city on foot. It’s a small town easily navigable on foot.
Girl in brown skirt and black hat looking at the arch in Ayacucho, Peru
Quechua native woman walking on the street of Ayacucho, Peru
Street of Ayacucho, Peru Save
WHERE TO STAY IN AYACUCHO, PERU
During our trip my husband and I stayed at DM Hoteles Ayacucho. It’s a simple but pretty nice hotel just few minutes walk from the Plaza de Armas. I loved its interior design full of impressive details, such as huge retablos and gorgeous golden mirrors.

My top picks of other hotels in Ayacucho, Peru:

Hotel Santa Rosa | Great location, gorgeous colonial exterior design
ViaVia Ayacucho | Featuring the best cafe in Ayacucho, this property is a great option as well. In fact, we were planning to stay here but unfortunately it was fully booked on our dates.

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