Lauricocha is a small hamlet on the shore of Laguna Lauricocha in Peru. At 12,615 feet (3845 m), Laguna Lauricocha is one of several beautiful glacial lakes nestled high in the Andes within the Huánuco Region of Peru. Several similar lakes are located in the nearby regions of Pasco and Junin. All are wonderful destinations for a high-altitude seaplane.
Lauricocha, although tiny, is a famous tourist destination for two fascinating reasons. First, an intact stone bridge, part of the 40,000 km Qhapaq Ñan (Royal Road) of the ancient Inca empire, crosses the Lauricocha River west of town. The bridge is still used today by foot and horse traffic. Locally, it is called “Puente Inca De 24 Canales” (24 Channel Incan Bridge), named for the water channels through the foundation of the bridge. Second, the remains of a prehistoric culture were found in 1957 in the Lauricocha Caves above the town. Known locally as the “14 Ventanas” (14 Windows), the caves hold the earliest known human remains in Peru, dating to 9500 BC. The period 8000-2500 BC is now known as the Lauricocha culture, and is part of a 15,000-year prehistoric sequence starting in 13,000 BC.
The seaplane base at Laguna Lauricocha is a wonderful starting point for exploring the many mountain lakes found in this region of the Peruvian Andes. An exciting trip for the intrepid flyer is to follow the Lauricocha upriver as it meaners along rough highway 110 through the Raura Mountains to Mia Raura (Raura mine) on the shores of Laguna Caballococha. A short distance away is the smaller Laguna Niñococha, at 16,286 feet (4964 m) the source of the Lauricocha River, and considered one of the headwaters of the mighty Amazon. If the plane is capable, you can continue south through the pass (16,500 feet) then turn north and land on Laguna Surasaca at 14,357 feet (4376 m), which has 10,000 feet of water for landing and takeoff. I was able to make this trip in the amphibious Maule and return to Laguna Lauricocha, but with no headwind, the Maule struggled to take off from Laguna Surasaca. Be sure to use the entire lake!
Another interesting flight for an amphibian is to start at Vicco Airport (SPVI), fly over Laguna Chinchaycocha and Laguna Punrún, and end at the seaplane base on Laguna Lauricocha. At 13,461 feet (4103 m), Vicco Airport is the sixth highest airport in the world, and the highest outside the Tibetan Plateau. Although the airport appears paved in the simulator, the latest aerial and satellite images show it to be gravel. Local politicians have at least twice promised the development of a modern regional airport on the site as part of their compaigns, but it seems that the promisies have gone unfulfilled. Two fascinating videos are still present on Youtube as of December 2023:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD_MHXXQtxQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM4lcjWa5Jw
The Seaplane Base as Constructed in MSFS
I envision this seaplane base as a jumping off point for exploring the beautiful Andean lakes of Peru, and have given it the unused identifier VPLL (Laguno Lauricocha). It is also a good destination for personnel (and small cargo) heading for the Raura Mine, and other nearby mining sites. The base has two hangars, fuel, a ramp for amphious aircraft, and a floatplane dock. There is also a restaurant and small hotel located on the ramp (the sign is from an actual restaurant located in town). Since it is at an elevation of 12,615 feet (3845 m), and many nearby lakes are at even higher elevations, the base is most suited for high-altitude turboprop amphibious aircraft such as the Kodiak, Caravan, or Porter, but some piston-engined seaplanes (such as the Maule or Beaver, or even the Riviera or Goose) should prove usable due to the lengthy water runway. There are no radio communications, but the ramp is illuminated, and green beacons light the last part of the water runway for night operations.
I have also constructed the Inca bridge and have marked the way to the Lauricocha caves, where tourists may see the location of the earliest human remains ever found in Peru.
Notes
To install the airport, unzip and place the folder titled "mulberrywing-airport-spll-laguna-lauricocha-seaplane-base" in your community folder.
To see the float plane dock you will need to download the Seaplane Asset Library from flightsim.to and place it in your community folder. Many thanks to 30West for providing this great library!
4 months ago
4 months ago
MulberryWing
MGScenery