Come along to Chimur hot springs in Peru, where you’ll find crystal-clear waters cascading down a wild mountainside, into more than half a dozen rarely visited pools.
Yes, there are lots of great hot springs in Peru. But when visiting the most popular places such as Lares, you’re likely to find yourself sharing the space with a crowd.
If what you’re really seeking is a way to relax, let go, and connect with wonderful natural surroundings, you should check out Chimur.
There is nothing new about Chimur hot springs near Cusco in the Sacred Valley. People have been visiting this oasis for decades.
Actually, it was only a decade ago that the local government invested in this natural wonderby turning what used to be rustic mud pits into spacious pools.
They also sought out local artists to make murals: homages to animals and plants that are native to the Mapacho Valley.
At the springs, you’ll also find several basic huts that can serve as changing rooms and as shelters when it rains. Running alongside the hot springs is a pristine mountain stream.
Where are the Chimur hot springs located in Peru?
The only reason that Chimur hot springs don’t get swarms of visitors like nearby Lares hot springs is because it is farther off of the beaten track.
Chimur hot springs are located along the rim ofthe Mapacho River Valley. This spectacularly spacious landscape stretches from the high Andes into the valley itself, where the climate is more jungle-like. Within this landscape, you’ll find Inca and pre-Inca ruins all over the place.
Tourists rarely come, and for good reason. There isn’t much infrastructure to accommodate for those seeking comforts found in Aguas Calientes or in popular towns of the Sacred Valley. But we believe that this is not a good reason to cross Chimur off from your list of hot springs near Cusco, Peru to visit.
If you are an adventurous type of person who enjoys authentic experiences involving traditional community living, Chimur hot springs is a great place for to visit.
The Mapacho Valley is an overall rare and magical place
We don’t have the authority to objectively verify this claim, but we’re willing to say that textiles woven by indigenous women in the Mapacho Valley are among the highest quality that exists on the continent.
In the villages of Bon Bon, Parabamba, and Chimur, you’ll find colorful textiles that are dyed naturally from plants that weavers collect in the region.
Within each textile, you’ll find designs reflecting the animals, natural wonders and rich stories that weavers carry from their ancestors.If you’re willing to take time to stop and listen, you’re might have a life-changing experience
How to get to Chimur hot springs in Peru
There are a couple options available to get to the hot springs depending on budget and time:
Taxi
By taxi is the easiest and quickest way to get to Chimur hot springs, since they are located several hours by car outside of the Sacred Valley.
First, head to Calca. From there, hire a driver to take you to Chimur, and then back to Calca. The trip takes about 2.5 hours each way.
However, it will cost you between 150-300 soles to rent a taxi for the day. The hot springs entry fee is 6 soles.
Public transportation
If you are adventurous and on a budget, you can make the trip to Chimur via public transportation, but it will take you longer since buses and colectivos are scarce.
From Calca, take a colectivo to Ayamparis, which is about 2 hours away.
Once there, you’ll need to wait for another bus – which usually only passes through in the morning – that will take you to the town of Chimur.
Since the hot springs are about six kilometers outside of the town of Chimur, you will then need to hire taxi or hitchhike to the springs.
Pointers
As of yet, there is very little infrastructure for tourism within the Mapacho Valley. Therefore, we recommend you make this into a day trip, unless you don’t mind staying in a basic hostel or camping at the hot springs.
And be sure to leave from Calca by 8-9 a.m. in order to give yourself enough time to spend at the springs and to visit weavers in the communities of Chimur, Bon Bon, or Parabamba.
Organized tours into the Mapacho Valley is the best way to go
If Chimur hot springs sound like a great place to visit, but you don’t want to put the energy into organizing a trip on your own, fret not.
You can book tours to not only visit these hot springs near Cusco, Peru, but to also visit indigenous communities of the Mapacho Valley, where you have the chance to learn about the art of weaving, traditional agriculture, and medicinal plants of the region.
If you are interested in organizing a trip to the region, feel free to reach out to the following email: scott@voyagewithscott.com
This article has been revised and updated from its original publication on June 20, 2019.
Cover photo: chimurtravel.com
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