Peru Guide
Around Cusco
Tres Cruces
The natural special effects during sunrise at TRES CRUCES are a magnificent spectacle. At 3739m above sea level, on the last mountain ridge before the eastern edge of the Amazon forest, the view is a marvel at any time: by day a vast view over the start of a massive cloud forest with all its weird vegetation; by night an enormous star-studded jewel. Seen from the highest edge of the Manu Biosphere Reserve, the sunrise is spectacular, particularly around the southern hemisphere's winter solstice in June: multicoloured, with multiple suns, an incredible light show that lasts for hours. Transport to Tres Cruces can be a problem, except during the fiesta in nearby Paucartambo; however, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Transportes Gallinos de las Rocas buses to Paucartambo continue on to Pilcopata or Salvación; beyond Paucartambo, you can disembark at the Tres Cruces turn-off ($3; about 8hr from Cusco), but be prepared to walk the remaining 14km into Tres Cruces itself, though you may get a lift with a passing vehicle (especially early in the day from late June to mid-July). Cusco tour operators can organize a trip, or you can check the notice boards in the main cafés and backpacker joints in Cusco for people trying to gather together groups to share the cost of a colectivo and driver for the two- to three-day trip – usually $30–50 a day, plus food and drink for the driver – or even post a notice yourself. The only accommodation in Tres Cruces is an empty house that's used as a visitors' shelter, which fills up very fast at festival times, when camping is the only real option, so take a warm sleeping bag, a tent and enough food.