The Canyon of the Lost

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Located to the south east of the district of Santiago in the sector Montegrande, province of Ica approximately has an extension of 5 km; discovered on july 10th, 2011. Formed by the erosion of the Seco river which flows into the Ica river, you can see a lagoon in the middle of the canyon is also frequented by buzzards.

Geographic location

Located to the southwest of the district of Santiago in the limits with the district of Changuillo (Nasca) province and Ica region, in the denominated sector. “Las Pampas de Gamonal” between the sectors of El Gramadal and Montegrande in the almost disappeared route “Rio Seco”, in the small sector of Chilcatay, where the Ica river empties into the path towards the pacific ocean.

From the city of Ica approximately there is a distance of 90 km to reach this place, take the Pan-American Highway South, taking a deviation at the height of km 339 (entrance to Callango), from where follows a carrózale trail that is in good condition which leads to the “Boca del Rio”, the approximate time of travel from the city of Ica is 2 hours, in the short time since the year it was discovered is visited by many domestic and foreign tourists, mainly those who practice adventure tourism. As one goes into the canyon it is attractive in reception given by the “hosts and guardians”: buzzards or crows, which appear in the heavens offering their flights similar to condors.

The canyon of the lost has an approximate extension of 2 km with a depth of 200 to 300 meters until the moment specialized studies were not made, a group of specialists visited this place in order to be able to determine its geological structure in the same way its depth and exact extension, likewise placed signs on the route to determine the access places to go down to the bottom of the canyon and thus travel its interiors to reach the small lagoons, which are located in the deepest part of this fantastic place

Attractions on the route

On the route between Callango (Ocucaje) and the diversion to the organic valley of Samaca (Santiago) are the hills “Los Trenes”, the hill “El Poseídon”, hill “El Delfin”, hills “Las Tetas” and hill “La Coiled snake.” In the “Pampas de Gamonal” (8 to 9 km approximately before reaching the canyon) is the mysterious and enigmatic “PAMPA DE PIEDRAS” in which we find figures such as: the dove, the tortoise, the toad, among others. At the mouth of the canyon are the turtle head and a small fossilized shell.

Attractions in the canyon

The Lost Canyon has 4 levels or falls to make the journey in the surroundings and the interior lasts from 2 to 3 hours approximately. This tour produces different emotions in the visitors. In the 2nd level you can see the “Eye of Water” and in the upper part is the “Face of Puma”, in the upper left and right are two canvases with small figures like “the skull”, “the fetus”,” the ET” and many more that are not yet defined between the 3rd level is a gap, and in the 4th level is the canyon slide. “Plaza Caracol” and “El Anfiteatro”.

The canyon has 3 descents between the first and second descent is the figure of the UFO and the lagoons of the canyon, the third descent in the most accessible for those traveling as a family. Touring the canyon from south to north you can see “El Tobogán de piedra”, “El gorge” “Los Baluartes” where thousands of carvings and natural sculptures can be found. At the mouth with the river Ica is “Las lagunas del Cañón” which is inhabited by small fish, likewise in some seasons by river shrimp, this place serves as habitat for some birds and foxes.