Author Archives: Sam Christiansen

Camp Site List: Peru

All of these spots have been added to iOverlander.com.

Gran Hotel San Ignacio

Date Visited: 09/27/2014



Location: -5.14823, -79.00259 (Altitude: 4019 feet)

The Gran Hotel San Ignacio allowed us to camp in their secure parking lot for 10S/night. Had access to clean bathrooms and fast internet. A bit noisy (we were here on a Friday night).

Internet: Yes – Average
Restrooms: Running Water
Showers: No
Electricity: Yes – Not at Sites
Water: Non-Potable
Restaurant: Yes
Tent Friendly: No
Big Rig Friendly: No
Kitchen: No

Gocta Falls – Cocachimba Entrance

Date Visited: 09/27/2014



Location: -6.05792, -77.89473 (Altitude: 5807 feet)

Slightly damp grass parking lot near the trailhead to the falls (views of the fall from this lot). Bathrooms with cold showers nearby. Price to camp was free. Restaurants nearby. Very quiet at night and super friendly town.

Internet: No
Restrooms: Running Water
Showers: Cold
Electricity: No
Water: Non-Potable
Restaurant: Yes
Tent Friendly: Yes
Big Rig Friendly: Yes
Kitchen: No

Kuelup Parking & Camping

Date Visited: 09/30/2014



Location: -6.42623, -77.92676 (Altitude: 9564 feet)

You can park and camp here in the parking lot of Kuelup Ruins. Right at the trailhead to the ruins, beautiful views. The visitor center nearby has restrooms but they are locked at night from 5pm until 8am. Price was free.

Internet: No
Restrooms: Running Water
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Water: Non-Potable
Restaurant: No
Tent Friendly: Yes
Big Rig Friendly: Yes
Kitchen: No

San Bartolo Pullout

Date Visited: 09/30/2014



Location: -6.54509, -77.87130 (Altitude: 9170 feet)

This is just a spot next to the road that you can park and camp at. Ask the men in the houses nearby to make sure it’s ok. They are very friendly. You may also be able to camp in the town square which isn’t too far away. Close to the trailhead to Revash. We had the owner of the house across the street from the campsite take us to Revash for 20s. Totally wonderful family and worth every penny. Price is free to camp. Road to San Bartolo is not on OSM, so ask locals and follow signs.

Internet: No
Restrooms: No
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Water: No
Restaurant: No
Tent Friendly: No
Big Rig Friendly: No
Kitchen: No

Leymebamba Museum

Date Visited: 10/01/2014



Location: -6.72401, -77.79809 (Altitude: 7835 feet)

This museum has a nice lot that I really wish you could park in overnight. Entrance to museum was 15S per person

Internet: Yes – Slow
Restrooms: Running Water
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Water: Non-Potable
Restaurant: No
Tent Friendly: No
Big Rig Friendly: Yes
Kitchen: No

Hacienda San Vicente

Date Visited: 10/01/2014



Location: -7.16317, -78.52883 (Altitude: 9400 feet)

Holy $&#@ is this place hard to find! Tons of closed roads and roads under construction and arriving after sunset didn’t help. Suggest you just ask a pedicab to show you the way when you get lost. Good views from the hacienda. 30S per night for two. Bathrooms were not very nice and very cold showers.

Internet: Yes – Average
Restrooms: Running Water
Showers: Cold
Electricity: Yes – Not at Sites
Water: Non-Potable
Restaurant: Yes
Tent Friendly: Yes
Big Rig Friendly: No
Kitchen: No

Ventanillas De Combayo

Date Visited: 10/03/2014



Location: -7.04540, -78.39712 (Altitude: 10187 feet)

We ended up camping next to the farmers who live here. Price was a bag of fruit and vegetables that we gave them. No facilities but very quiet and nice views. Very nice family, need to ask permission to camp. Best for vehicles that need no facilities.

Internet: No
Restrooms: Unknown
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Water: Non-Potable
Restaurant: No
Tent Friendly: Yes
Big Rig Friendly: Yes
Kitchen: No

Huanchaco Gardens RV Park

Date Visited: 10/05/2014



Location: -8.07305, -79.11835 (Altitude: -59 feet)

Nice place for 20S per person per night. Two pools, close to the beach, friendly owner, community sink and BBQ.

Internet: Yes – Average
Restrooms: Running Water
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes – At Sites
Water: Non-Potable
Restaurant: No
Tent Friendly: Yes
Big Rig Friendly: Yes
Kitchen: No

Huanchaco Beach Front

Date Visited: 10/05/2014



Location: -8.07345, -79.11945 (Altitude: -49 feet)

We thought about camping here–this is right on the beach. However there are no facilities and the signs here say no camping. I’m not sure if this is enforced or not. We saw a few other Overlanders parked here at night so it may be ok!

Internet: No
Restrooms: No
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Water: No
Restaurant: Yes
Tent Friendly: No
Big Rig Friendly: Yes
Kitchen: No

Rio Santa Pirate Camp

Date Visited: 10/07/2014



Location: -8.66157, -78.10956 (Altitude: 2244 feet)

We checked out the camp site just east of here and opted for this spot as it is more sheltered from the road and it’s got better spots for tent campers. There is also a spot right down by the river that is a bit sandy and slightly more exposed. Free. Very quiet at night.

Internet: No
Restrooms: No
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Water: Natural Source
Restaurant: No
Tent Friendly: Yes
Big Rig Friendly: Yes
Kitchen: No

Llanganuco Lodge

Date Visited: 10/08/2014



Location: -9.09589, -77.69719 (Altitude: 11401 feet)

Wonderful little lodge at about 11k feet with lots of hiking trails nearby and a great owner. 15S per person per night. Within 5 minutes there are a ton of ruins that were dated to 3500BC. Also a small lake nearby. Incredible views of the valley and mountains. Great place to acclimate.

Internet: No
Restrooms: Running Water
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes – Not at Sites
Water: Potable
Restaurant: Yes
Tent Friendly: Yes
Big Rig Friendly: Yes
Kitchen: Yes

Campsite by Lakes

Date Visited: 10/10/2014



Location: -9.05237, -77.61870 (Altitude: 12533 feet)

Nice campsite just past the lakes. Free. Minimal facilities but very close to Laguna 69 trailhead.

Internet: No
Restrooms: Pit Toilets
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Water: Natural Source
Restaurant: No
Tent Friendly: Yes
Big Rig Friendly: Yes
Kitchen: No

Campo Base Pisco

Date Visited: 10/10/2014



Location: -9.04531, -77.60872 (Altitude: 12635 feet)

This is a tent only campsite (well, there is a road but it is narrow and crosses a sketchy bridge-maybe a motorcycle or smaller rig would fit), and there really aren’t any good parking options nearby. On the other hand, this is well off the road, has amazing views of the mountains, and sits right next to a little stream. It is also right next to the trailhead for Laguna 69.

Internet: No
Restrooms: Pit Toilets
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Water: Natural Source
Restaurant: No
Tent Friendly: Yes
Big Rig Friendly: No
Kitchen: No

Chacas Mud Lot

Date Visited: 10/11/2014



Location: -9.16465, -77.36744 (Altitude: 11056 feet)

Not many options in this town for rigs. The Hostal in town square said we could park in front for free but not until 7pm. We asked around and a lady said we could park in the mud lot near her house. No amenities. Ask permission before parking. Very nice people in this town.

Internet: No
Restrooms: No
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Water: No
Restaurant: No
Tent Friendly: No
Big Rig Friendly: Yes
Kitchen: No

Real Huascaran Hotel, Huaraz

Date Visited: 10/13/2014



Location: -9.51312, -77.53135 (Altitude: 9816 feet)

A little noisy but wifi reaches parking lot. Hot showers. I needed ear plugs to sleep, but it got quieter at night. Rooms are filthy. Only camp here, don’t come for the room.

Internet: Yes – Fast
Restrooms: Running Water
Showers: Hot
Electricity: No
Water: No
Restaurant: Yes
Tent Friendly: No
Big Rig Friendly: Yes
Kitchen: No

Recreo Campestre La Colina

Date Visited: 10/14/2014



Location: -9.59939, -77.17758 (Altitude: 10295 feet)

This is a restaurant right across the bridge right next to the river. We asked if we could camp for the night and they allowed us. We had scoped out the hotels in town and the archaeological site but there was no parking anywhere. Free. Tent campers, there isn’t any grass to camp on here but there is a dirt lot. Parking area is secure (behind a big gate). Camped next to river, very peaceful.

Internet: No
Restrooms: Running Water
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Water: Non-Potable
Restaurant: Yes
Tent Friendly: Unknown
Big Rig Friendly: Yes
Kitchen: No

Hotel Inca

Date Visited: 10/15/2014



Location: -9.58879, -77.17834 (Altitude: 10282 feet)

Not sure many rigs besides motorcycles will fit in this hotel, but it sure does look nice. We would have stayed here if there had been room for us.

Internet: No
Restrooms: Running Water
Showers: Hot
Electricity: No
Water: Yes
Restaurant: Yes
Tent Friendly: Yes
Big Rig Friendly: No
Kitchen: No

Ricardo’s Laguna

Date Visited: 10/15/2014



Location: -10.04486, -77.21882 (Altitude: 13940 feet)

Can’t really recommend this place, but we got here in the late afternoon and had to make a night of it. Scenery is spectacular, but Ricardo, one of the care takers is a bit of a wild card. He came out with a shotgun but after I explained we were just tourists he opened up. We offered him a beer. Four beers later he passed out just outside the XPCamper. Just be careful and approach slowly if you want to camp here. Very high elevation.

Internet: No
Restrooms: No
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Water: Natural Source
Restaurant: No
Tent Friendly: Yes
Big Rig Friendly: Yes
Kitchen: No

Hitchhikers Backpackers Hostel

Date Visited: 10/17/2014



Location: -12.12245, -77.03597 (Altitude: 141 feet)

Only room for about four rigs, this is a nice Hostel in a great neighborhood of Lima. Great access to restaurants and bars and the beach. A bit loud at times. 18S per person per night for camping. 10S extra if you want power to your rig. Email in advance about space if you can. We got lucky, but there were full the rest of the time we were there.

Internet: Yes – Average
Restrooms: Running Water
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes – At Sites
Water: Non-Potable
Restaurant: No
Tent Friendly: Yes
Big Rig Friendly: Yes
Kitchen: Yes

Paracas NP – Playa Culebra

Date Visited: 10/20/2014



Location: -13.83182, -76.36985 (Altitude: 10 feet)

Not an official camp site in Paracas NP, but a beautiful place to wild camp. Great views off the cliffs and lots of sea lions and birds below to watch. We did not have much wind at all and it was sunny. Only noise at night was sea lions barking.

Internet: No
Restrooms: No
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Water: No
Restaurant: No
Tent Friendly: Yes
Big Rig Friendly: Yes
Kitchen: No

Mendieta Pirate Camp

Date Visited: 10/21/2014



Location: -14.04512, -76.26662 (Altitude: -105 feet)

Beautiful bay in Paracas with some cool campsites right on the cliffs. Some dirt here so I think you could pitch a tent. You can camp on the little rock cape just next to here- we would have but there were a few fishermen using the area, they left early afternoon but returned during night to set nets. We had no wind and blue sky.

Internet: No
Restrooms: No
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Water: Natural Source
Restaurant: No
Tent Friendly: Yes
Big Rig Friendly: Yes
Kitchen: No

Reserva Nacional Pampa Galeras

Date Visited: 10/22/2014



Location: -14.66932, -74.40649 (Altitude: 12881 feet)

We parked behind some of the buildings here near the river to get away from the road noise. Just be warned: this is at about 12,800 feet so be careful if you are coming from sea level. Not a bad spot to break up the drive to Cusco. Free. Very peaceful at night.

Internet: No
Restrooms: No
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Water: Natural Source
Restaurant: No
Tent Friendly: Yes
Big Rig Friendly: Yes
Kitchen: No

Casa Lena

Date Visited: 10/23/2014



Location: -13.54368, -72.68770 (Altitude: 8757 feet)

Beautiful views of snow capped mountains and far enough away from the road that you won’t be bothered by road noise. At about 9,000 feet it is also a good place to acclimate. Friendly owners, clean restrooms very hot showers. English spoken. 30S per night for camping. Turn right right after the bridge to get here up the dirt road, follow the green spray painted signs to Casa Lena on rocks and poles. Need 4×4, narrow road. We barley made the turns in and we are 7.5 meters. Over 8 you may not make the road in. They also have an NGO for kids here with volunteer opportunities. Belgium and Peruvian couple own it. Breakfast is 10s a person.

Internet: Yes – Average
Restrooms: Running Water
Showers: Hot
Electricity: No
Water: Non-Potable
Restaurant: No
Tent Friendly: Yes
Big Rig Friendly: No
Kitchen: Yes

Quinta Lala Camping

Date Visited: 10/26/2014



Location: -13.50578, -71.98504 (Altitude: 11778 feet)

A nice campground within walking distance of central Cusco. Lots of Overlanders here and the only downside to this spot is that you will be sharing a single bathroom with all of them but the water is hot and they keep it clean. 36s for 2 people if you have power and wifi.

Internet: Yes – Average
Restrooms: Running Water
Showers: Hot
Electricity: Yes – At Sites
Water: Non-Potable
Restaurant: No
Tent Friendly: Yes
Big Rig Friendly: Yes
Kitchen: Yes

Salinas, Moray Pirate Camp

Date Visited: 10/28/2014



Location: -13.30046, -72.15161 (Altitude: 10394 feet)

This spot is right after the entrance gate to Salinas. No amenities, and a little windy, but free with you 7S/p entrance fee and great mountain views. Wind died down about an hour after sunset. Extremely quiet here at night. There is a little trail that leads past a circular walled enclosure that will give you a birds eye view of the salt pools.

Internet: No
Restrooms: No
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Water: No
Restaurant: No
Tent Friendly: Yes
Big Rig Friendly: Yes
Kitchen: No

Tinajani Canyon Campground

Date Visited: 10/29/2014



Location: -15.01650, -70.58050 (Altitude: 12838 feet)

A rustic campground in Tinajani Canyon. Basic amenities, but the price is whatever you volunteer (we paid 10S for a night). Very quiet and great views of the canyon. Worth a visit. Very rustic toilets, very safe.

Internet: No
Restrooms: Pit Toilets
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Water: Natural Source
Restaurant: No
Tent Friendly: Yes
Big Rig Friendly: Yes
Kitchen: No

Juli Beach Camp

Date Visited: 10/30/2014



Location: -16.20313, -69.46079 (Altitude: 12513 feet)

Right on the shores of lake Titicaca in Juli is a small camping area. Tent campers can camp right on the beach here, those in trucks can park in the lot nearby. We paid a guy 6S for the night. Area to eat and pit toilets, nice toilets inside for 1s. Best way for big rigs to get down here (if coming from Puno) is to drive past the city and then take a very hard left (almost a u turn) on the paved road that leads to the plaza de armas. From there, just head towards the water.

Internet: No
Restrooms: Pit Toilets
Showers: No
Electricity: No
Water: Natural Source
Restaurant: No
Tent Friendly: Yes
Big Rig Friendly: Yes
Kitchen: No