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Choose your way to get there

Compare the options for getting to Matucana from Lima and pick the one that best suits your trip. It sits at Km 75 of the Carretera Central, about 2 hours from the city.

See the route step by stepSee the virtual tour

~2 h

Approx. time from Lima

Km 75

Along the Carretera Central

2,378 m

Matucana's altitude

27° / 13°

Mild valley climate

Private car
Fastest

Private car

The fastest and most flexible option

  • ~2 hDirect from Lima
  • Km 75Along the Carretera Central
  • Fuel + tollsBring cash (indicative)
See the route on the mapMore info
Bus or combi

Bus or combi

Budget-friendly, in two legs via Chosica

  • 3 – 4 hIn total, with a transfer
  • ~S/ 5 to 6Chosica → Matucana leg
  • Frequent departuresFrom Echenique Park, Chosica
See the route step by stepMore info
Tourist train
A unique experience

Tourist train

Landscapes of the Central Railway

  • A long rideTo savour it, not to go fast
  • Few datesOnly a handful each year
  • Tourist stopStation behind the square
See the station in the tourMore info
Taxi or colectivo

Taxi or colectivo

Comfortable if you travel as a group

  • 2 – 2.5 hDepending on outbound traffic
  • ~S/ 7 to 10Colectivo Lima → Chosica
  • Ideal in a groupYou split the cost
See the route step by stepMore info
Tours and agencies
All-inclusive

Tours and agencies

Convenience, with transport and a guide

  • Transport + guideNo need to plan the route
  • Full dayWaterfalls and town in one day
  • No agencies yetOffer tours? List yourself
List your agencyMore info

Traveller tip

Leave early to avoid Lima's outbound traffic (7:00 – 9:00 a.m.) and enjoy the best weather and the views along the way.

Need help planning?

We'll help you choose the best option for your budget and your dates.

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Quick map

LimaChosicaMatucana
See the full map

The route, step by step

Matucana sits at Km 75 of the Carretera Central, about 2 hours from Lima by car. There is no direct public transport: you do it in two legs through Chosica, roughly 3 to 4 hours in total.

  1. 1. Lima → Chosica (Echenique Park)

    Take a shared 'Lima–Chosica' colectivo or minibus (the chosicanos) from downtown Lima. About 1 hour.

    Chosicano ~S/4.50 · colectivo ~S/7 to S/10

  2. 2. Chosica → Matucana

    Buses and coasters to Matucana leave from in front of Chosica's Echenique Park, climbing up the Carretera Central.

    ~S/5 to S/6

Transport budget

~ S/ 15.50

One way, on budget public transport

  • Lima → Chosica (chosicano)~ S/ 4.50
  • Lima → Chosica (colectivo)S/ 7 – 10
  • Chosica → MatucanaS/ 5 – 6

Prices are indicative and may vary. For the car, add fuel and the tolls along the Carretera Central.

The train, as an experience (not as regular transport)

As an attraction (not regular transport), the Lima–Huancayo Central Railway makes a tourist stop in Matucana. The station, behind Plaza Independencia, dates from the late 1890s and its structure was brought from Holland. It runs only a few times a year: it's for the experience, not a quick way in.

See the station in the 4K tour

Useful info for your trip

Everything you need to plan your arrival in Matucana: budget, timing, climate, altitude and more.

See recommendations

Average budgetper person

Transport is the bulk of the spend. Country meals and the entrances to the waterfalls are cheap.

  • Transport (one way, public)~ S/ 15.50
  • Country lunchCheap
  • Antankallo entrance~ S/ 5

Many waterfalls are free to enter; check the day's prices before heading up.

Best time to travel

7:00 a.m.

Ideal departure, avoids Lima's traffic

On weekdays

Fewer people than on weekends

Leave early to make the most of your day in Matucana.

Matucana's climate

27°by day · 13° at night

A mild inter-Andean valley climate, without the extreme altitude of other Andean destinations.

Best season: April to December

For the waterfalls at their fullest, between January and March (with care on the trails).

Matucana's altitude

2,378m above sea level

A moderate highland altitude. It usually doesn't cause the strong altitude sickness of destinations above 3,500 m; no special acclimatisation is needed.

Could you get soroche? See it here

Tolls and fuelindicative

  • RouteCarretera Central
  • Tolls on the wayBring cash
  • Gas stations en routeChosica and Matucana
  • Total distanceKm 75 from Lima

Tolls are subject to change without notice. Check fares and gas stations before you set off.

What to bring

  • Comfortable, warm clothing
  • Sunscreen and sunglasses
  • Water and something to eat
  • Cash (not everyone takes cards)
  • Trainers for walking
  • A charged camera or phone

Important recommendations

  • Respect the signs and speed limits on the Carretera Central.
  • Avoid travelling at night for safety.
  • Check the weather before you leave.
  • For high-altitude routes, go with a local guide.
  • Bring cash for tolls and the town's shops.

Emergencies and assistance

Need help?

We're here to advise you on your arrival in Matucana.

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Map of the route and Matucana

The climb is along the Carretera Central, passing through Chosica. Only points with a confirmed location are marked.

Questions about how to get there?

We'll help you plan your trip in a personalised way.

Talk to an advisorSee the route on the map
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Information gathered from the official tourism board of the Provincial Municipality of Huarochirí (Matucana) and public sources (Wikipedia, SENAMHI, gob.pe). Prices, hours, routes and dates may change; double-check anything critical before you travel and, for high-altitude routes, go with a local guide.