It is located in the Santa Eulalia Valley a few hours away from Lima, at an altitude of 3,600 mts. above sea level. This small town has narrow streets with small balconies giving you a feeling of an Andean town. Also its the entry port to the CITADEL OF SAN JUAN DE IRIS. Nice archaeological site that is also known as the Machu Picchu of Lima. Some times condors appear in the surroundings.
The town has a Museum at the City Hall. The people are very helpful.
Located in the top part of a hill that is in between the Santa Eulalia Valley and the Pomacocha Valley. It takes about an hour and half, to get to the archaeological place, trail is in good conditions.
This archaeological center is considered as a Yarowilca site. The area of advance of the Yarowilcas to the coast is also in the valley of Canta. Which has this type of architecture. Some town people think that this was a watch tower for the entries to the valleys which communicate with the Central Andes chain, making it possible to get to the Royal Inca Road from this center.
Once in the site, you will be in the main patio, to the east is the higher part, with Chulpas (small huts), stairs and tunnels. Where you can see that this place was a small city, giving an idea of a administrative center.
Small streets, with round corners. Tall walls that identify constructions of two story high.
One of the most outstanding is the tunnel system that communicated one section of the center with the high part, some people say that this was the main entrance patio and that on the top of this hill, was located the seat of the Inca.
Also another tunnel covers the entry from the valley of Pomacocha, now days a lost road.
For tourist information, go to the Municipality in Iris. They can also help you with a guide for the visit to the archaeological site of the TOWERS OF IRIS.
WHERE TO SLEEP:
- Municipal Lodge. Located in the Main Square
- Hostal Municipal Iris. A block away from the main square.
- House Lodging: In implementation.
WHERE TO EAT:
- La Fonda. Across the Communal Palace.
WHAT TO SEE:
- Local Museum. Its located in the Municipality, has ceramics, weavings, a mummy and a nice model of the archaeological site.
- The Citadel of San Juan de Iris. An archaeological center located close to the town.
- Santa Rosa Rock Forest. Rock area with formations.
- Marcashica. Pre-history cave.
- Lake Curicocha. The Mystical Water
For further information on the program Iris Backpacker 3D/2N, such as rates, reservations, etc., please Contact Us.
