The Cordillera of the Widow may get its name from its black colour, or from a complex story passed down from pre-Hispanic and pre-Inca beliefs involving the death of creator-God Pachacamac (Pacha Kamaq), wife of mother-earth Pachamama.

This cordillera is the source of the river Chillon that runs to the Pacific ocean, and is on the border of Lima. Crossing it can take you towards Junin or Pasco.

Immediately below the peaks, lagoons form. Crystal clear, at their bottoms you can see various strange colours. These are from the many minerals that make up the rocks, which are washed down to the coast allowing the valleys to be green and fertile.

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Tags: chillon valley, cordillera, explorando lima, incas, lagoon, pachacamac, pachamama