El Tirol Waterfall

El Tirol drops around thirty-five metres into a pool in a fold of cloud forest above San Ramón, in the Chanchamayo valley where the Andes fall away into the high jungle. The walk in from the road takes half an hour or so through forest thick with ferns, heliconia and bromeliads, crossing the stream a few times, and there is a smaller cascade on the way up. The pool at the base is cold and shallow enough to stand in, and the spray keeps the whole amphitheatre wet and green. Chanchamayo is coffee country, three or four hours from Lima's altitude but a completely different climate, and El Tirol is the standard short excursion from San Ramón along with the Bayoz and Velo de la Novia falls further into the valley. It is popular with Peruvian weekend visitors from Lima and Huancayo.

What you actually see

• The fall - about thirty-five metres into a pool in a forest amphitheatre.
• The walk - thirty minutes through ferns, heliconia and bromeliads.
• The second cascade - a smaller drop passed on the way up.
• The valley - Chanchamayo coffee country on the edge of the high jungle.

When to go

April to November is drier and the trail is safer. Weekdays are far quieter than weekends. Two to three hours including the walk.

Honest expectations

The trail is muddy and slippery, with stream crossings that rise after rain. Busy with domestic visitors at weekends and holidays. The pool is small and gets crowded. Basic facilities at the trailhead.

Nearby

San Ramón and La Merced are below; the Bayoz falls are further up the valley.