Natural Pools of Millpu

Описание: From the surreal multi-colored hills of Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain and the pristine glacial waters of Laguna Humantay to the boiling river of Shanay-Timpishka in the Amazon Rainforest, Peru is home to some incredible hidden gems and natural wonders. One of the most gorgeous of these local treasures is Millpu, a collection of roughly 20 natural pools of turquoise water located in the countryside of Peru’s Ayacucho Region. Read on to find out more about these gorgeous Millpu Lagoons.

The name Millpu is derived from the word Millpuy, which means “swallow” in the Quechua language. This name comes from a local myth which holds that the site’s dramatic rock formations and chilly waters are the actual throat of the devil. For this reason, the pools were not frequently visited by locals in the past and have remained extremely well-conserved.

Since opening to tourism in the past couple years, Millpu has seen a steady stream of visitors, however its remote location deep in the Andes has kept these peaceful natural pools relatively untouched. This pristine state of conservation and exceptional natural beauty is what makes Millpu one of the most attractive places for outdoor sightseeing in the whole Ayacucho region.

The city of Ayacucho and its surrounding region have much to offer visitors, yet it’s often overlooked as a destination on trips to Peru. The city itself, known locally as Huamanga, is located at 2,700 meters above sea level and hosts a year-round mild, pleasant climate. Not only is Ayacucho one of the most beautiful and charming cities of the Peruvian highlands, visitors will also find a large variety of things to do, see, and experience in the city and region. Things to do in Ayacucho include:

The many colonial-era churches, cathedrals, convents, and temples which give Ayacucho its nickname “The City of Churches.”
The Mirador of Acuchimay, looking out over the entire city of Ayacucho.
The Pampas de Quinua, site of the famous Battle of Ayacucho in the Peruvian War of Independence and the 44-meter-high obelisk which commemorates it.
The ruins of Huari, an important pre-Inca urban center of the Wari culture which was once home to as many as 70,000 people.
The town of Vilcashuamán, built around an important Inca temple complex with a surviving stepped pyramid.
All of the above make Ayacucho an ideal place to travel in Peru, but if you’re a lover of natural beauty and scenery then the real highlight of your trip will definitely be the serene natural pools of Millpu located just a few hours away from the city.


The entrance to the natural pools of Millpu is located in the small population center of Circamarca in the Huancaraylla District of Ayacucho’s Victor Fajardo Province. This region consists mainly of Quechua-speaking citizens living traditional lifestyles in small villages. The local community has only allowed outsiders to visit the natural pools of Millpu for a couple years, which explains why these breathtakingly-gorgeous turquoise ponds remain relatively unknown.
Once you arrive at the town of Circamarca, you’ll pay a small entrance fee to the community for accessing their lands and then begin the hike up to the pools. The path is easy to follow and not especially difficult, however the high altitude can certainly leave you feeling a bit winded. The scenery is incredible along the way, so you’ll want to take your time regardless. The hike usually takes around 30 to 45 minutes to reach the top. In addition to the natural pools, you’ll also see some waterfalls, as well as plenty of native Andean flora and fauna.
After you’ve reached the summit, there are several different elevated lookout points as well as areas where you can descend and get closer to the water. You can take the opportunity to dip your feet in or go swimming, but beware that the source of this water is a glacier and it’s absolutely ice-cold! Swimming at Millpu can be an exhilarating and refreshing experience, but plenty of people just choose to stay dry and admire the beauty of the Millpu Lagoons without stepping into their chilly waters.
On the trail above the lagoons, you’ll find many great places to relax and just enjoy the view. This is definitely the kind of place where you’ll want to just have a seat in the grass and take it in the natural beauty all around you. It’s well worth spending the whole afternoon here. After you’ve had the chance to sufficiently explore Millpu and enjoy its wonderful landscapes, head back down to the entrance where local cooks are usually preparing fried river trout, a specialty of this area. Make sure to work up an appetite to try this delicious traditional plate while you’re in the area! This will be without a doubt the freshest trout you ever taste!
A day at the Millpu Lagoons is one of the best things to do in the Ayacucho region and it’s sure to be one of the highlights of your trip to Peru.
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