Cueva Sia Sia

Useful Information

Location:	PA-627, 19210. (-10.6546909, -75.4502533)
Open:	no restrictions. [2025]
Fee:	free. [2025]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	L=200 m, A=2,170 m asl.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:	SGL (2017): Pasco para ti. Mapa de recursos y servicios turísticos Sociedad Geográfica de Lima. Vanessa Schaus Zevallos (2013): Cueva de Sia Sia. DIRCETUR Pasco, Recursos Turísticos, 6991: 5 p. pdf
Address:	Cueva Sia Sia, Tel: +51-.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

2010	Oxapampa-Asháninka-Yánesha Biosphere Reserve recognized by UNESCO.
2016	explored by the cavers of the Espeleo Club Andino (ECA) from Lima.

Description

Cueva Sia Sia or Cueva de Sia Sia is not a tourist site. The only reason why we mention this cave is the fact that it is actually published as a tourist site. The visit is on an easy caving level, but as far as we know there are no cave trekking tours offered. Nevertheless, the official classification sheet says the cave can only be entered with permission and accompanied by an authorized local guide. Reality is different, the cave is freely accessible and there are no guides. The right equipment, enough lamps, never cave alone, and a certain level of physical fitness are essential. Despite the wooden signs to the cave, the Google Maps entry, and the listing as tourist site, this is a wild cave and appropriate caving skills are necessary.

To reach the cave follow PA-106 west from Oxapampa city. In the hamlet Chontabamba is the show cave Tunqui Cueva. 1.6 km further down the road is a turnoff to the left on PA-627. After 11 km on a winding single lane gravel road through Valle de las Orquideas (Orchid Valley) the Cueva Sia Sia is reached.

Sia Sia is a local plant which emanates a certain smell, and as this smell is quite intensive at the cave entrance, it was named after this plant. There are many installations, like wooden information stalls at the road, but there is obviously nobody here. After a 180 m long hike a huge cave portal is reached. It is a swallow hole and there is a 10 m drop right at the entrance. Currently, there are no stairs or a ladder, so some climbing is required to enter. Inside the floor is full of huge rocks, and the passage follows the river downhill for some 200 m. As the cave is a river cave, there are not many speleothems.

Once again, this cave is listed as a tourist site, but it is not. It is a relatively easy caving as there are no vertical parts, but cave equipment, caving skills and physical fitness are mandatory. It is definitely not suitable for the average tourist.