Cañon de los Perdidos, Natural canyon in Ocucaje desert, Peru.
Cañon de los Perdidos is a deep valley with vertical rock walls stretching across the Ocucaje desert, with walls reaching between 200 and 300 meters in height. The gorge displays multiple layers of stone and reveals traces of ancient water channels that have shaped the terrain over millennia.
The site became known in 2011 when local officials and a journalist ventured into the area and became temporarily lost, bringing attention to the location. This accidental discovery opened the place to visitors and researchers interested in desert geology.
The canyon offers visitors a direct encounter with desert wildlife and rock formations shaped by natural forces. Local people and guides regard it as an important landmark that reveals how water and wind have carved the landscape over time.
Access to the canyon is available through multiple entry points, each offering different routes depending on the time of year and visitor preference. Bring plenty of water, sun protection, and sturdy footwear, as the ground is uneven and desert sun exposure is significant.
The site features three distinct entry points that lead to different interior sections, each revealing separate rock formations and occasional pools of water that appear seasonally. Many visitors explore only one section and miss the varied landscapes contained within.
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