13º C (17º C maximum and 0º C minimum). Rainy season:
November to March.
Access Routes
By land
The most advisable route is along the Central Highway
from Lima to Ticlio and Huancayo (310 km), a 5 ½ h drive
by car, crossing the Andes through the Anticona pass (Ticlio).
Historical Overview
The Junín plains were known as the Pampus region, which
until the arrival of the Incas was inhabited by a semi-savage,
quarrelsome group of people whose rivals were the
Tarumas. Meanwhile, the Mantaro Valley was inhabited by
the Huancas. Finally, Inca Pachacutec conquered all
these groups in 1 460, when they became part of the Inca
Empire. Huancayo became the region's main roadside
resting place on the Inca Trail.
Wool mills (referred to as obrajes) were set up during
the Viceroyship, when weaving and knitting became a
tradition that continues to this day.
On September 13th 1 825, liberator Simon Bolivar issued
a Decree creating what is now the department of Junin,
to commemorate his victory on the Junin Plains. Great
events of national importance occurred during this
period: Huancayo hosted the Assembly that issued the 1
839 Constitution and on December 3rd 1 854, Marshall
Castilla signed the decree that granted slaves their
freedom. Huancayo, the capital of the department, is now
an important trading and farming city in this country
Attractions in the City
Cathedral Church
Constitution Square Visits: Monday to Sunday 7:30-9:30 and 17:00-19:30.
Neoclassic in style, it houses a collection of Cuzco
school paintings. Pope Pious XII raised the status of
this church to a Cathedral in 1 955.
Constitution Square Situated in the city center, it was named after the
Cadiz Liberal Constitution Oath. The square is adorned
with a display of ornamental plants native to the
highlands, such as the quishuar and retama
La Merced Chapel Calle Real 100.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 9:00-12:00 and 15:00-18:30.
Considered a National Historic Monument because it is
where the 1 839 Constitution was signed.
Huamanmarca Square Corner of Jr. Ica and Jr. Piura.
In this square, Jerónimo de Silva founded Huancayo as a
town on June 1st 1 572.
Huancayo Sunday Fair Huancavelica avenue, blocks 2-12.
Established in 1 572 to promote trade among local
natives, the fair is a market place for handicrafts as
well as industrial and agricultural products.
La Libertad Hill Located a five minute bus ride away, about 1 km east
of Huancayo at the end of Giraldez avenue, this area is
also known as the Mirador (lookout point) because of the
splendid view of the city and part of the Mantaro Valley.
There are recreational and mechanical games, a semi-Olympic
swimming pool and a small zoo.
Salesiano School Museum Prolongación Arequipa 105, Huancayo.
Phone: (064) 24-7763
Visits: Monday to Friday 9:00-13:00, 15:00-17:00.
Situated in the El Tambo district, it displays a large
variety of fauna, particularly from the central jungle,
as well as archaeological pieces and coin and stamp
collections, among others.
Huanca Identity Park San Antonio District
This is where people pay homage to the most well-known
artists in the region.
Artisan House Corner of Real and Paseo La Breña streets
A handicraft and tourist center with the best displays
of silverware, textiles, leather work, carved gourds,
wood carvings and other handiwork.
Torre Torre A geological area situated 1 km or a 15 minute walk
from the La Libertad Hill. The rain and the wind have
formed 10 to 30 m tall stone towers in this area, hence
its name. It provides a wonderful view of the Mantaro
Valley.
Outskirts of the City
Ingenio
Situated 28 km northeast of Huancayo, about 35 minutes
by car along the so-called Valle Azul (Blue Valley). In
this area there are trout farms, country restaurants and
adequate camping sites.
Sicaya
Located 8 km northeast of Huancayo, about 20 minutes by
car. A prominent attraction is the church which was
declared a Historical National Monument, with famous
baroque style carved wooden altars and eighteenth
century canvases.
Warivilca Sanctuary
Ancient sanctuary of the Wari Empire, situated 6 km
south of Huancayo in the Wari annex, a 20 minute drive
by car. This Archaeological Complex was built between
800 and 1 200 AD and was discovered in 1 935. The temple
is one of its outstanding structures. There is an on-site
museum.
Ñahuimpuquio Lagoon
Situated in the Ahuac district 15 km from Huancayo,
surrounded by beautiful landscapes.
Huaytapallana
Located 25 km From Huancayo, it takes about two hours to
drive there and 30 minutes to climb the 5 200 m. high
snow-capped mountain on foot. This is a popular area for
adventure sports.
Concepción:
Ocopa Convent Visits: Wednesday to Monday 9:00-13:00 and
15:00-18:00.
Old Franciscan convent founded in 1 725, situated 25 km
from Huancayo. It was the starting point for the bold
Franciscan missionaries who tried to catechize eastern
jungle dwellers. It has an exceptional library
containing some 20 000 volumes, including numerous
incunabular versions and some bibliographic jewels.
Jauja:
Cristo Pobre Chapel Visits: Monday to Sunday 7:00-9:00 and 15:00-18:00.
Located between San Martín and Colina streets, it was
built by order of French priest Luis Gradin. Its
characteristics are similar to Notre Dame Church in
Paris and it was the first cement construction in the
Central Area of Peru.
Paca Lagoon Situated 4 km from Jauja, its remarkable landscape
is outstanding. The lagoon is surrounded by bulrushes
and picturesque restaurants. Boat rides are available on
the lagoon, including visits to the Isla del Amor (Island
of Love).
Tunanmarca Archaeological Complex Archaeological ruins considered to be the capital of
Huanca, a pre-Hispanic culture, consisting of circular
shaped stone buildings. A hard-top road to the foothill
provides access to these ruins.
Tarma:
Señor de Muruhuay Sanctuary Visits: 24 hours.
The faithful visit this sanctuary by the thousands,
attracted by its origin and tradition, which blend
together in a mantle of mystery and history.
Guagapo Grotto Referred to as the Crying Grotto, it is situated 29
km from Tarma and is considered the largest in South
America.
San Pedro de Cajas World famous for its tapestries, 90% of the
population in this area are involved in textile
handicrafts.
Satipo:
Huanacaure Ancient stone carvings that date back to 1 500 BC,
discovered in 1 919.
Chanchamayo:
El Perezoso Botanical Garcen Situated in Pueblo Pardo, 15 km from La Merced. It
contains a large variety of exotic plants and fruit
trees.
El Tirol Waterfalls These waterfalls consist of three sections, ending
in an inviting and refreshing pool.
Puerto Pichanaki Beach Situated in the Perene river basin, it is unique
because of its large size and natural state, formed as a
result of El Niño Phenomenon.
Folkore
The area is known for its variety of typical native
dances, the most important being the Huaylarsh,
Chonguinada, Huaconada, Shapis, Santiago, Chinchilpos,
Gamonales and Avelinos. The most popular festivals are
called Cortamontes or Yunsa.
Handicrafts
Carved gourds, embroidery, pottery and silverware, as
well as wood carvings, woven belts, straw furniture,
tapestries, among others.
Gastronomy
Typical dishes: - Uman caldo (Sheep's head broth with spearmint
and hot chili peppers). - Yaku chupeor green soup (potato soup with bone
stock, cheese and aromatic herbs). - Huallca chupe or Wallpa Chupe (Chicken broth
with vegetables and noodles). - Patascaor tripe broth (soup made with innards,
spearmint and offal). - Patachi (Wheat soup with pulses, bacon and meat)
- Pachamanca (various kinds of meat, potatoes and
tender corn covered with aromatic herbs and cooked
underground between hot stones, in a pre-Hispanic style).
- Chicharron colorado (pork fried in its own fat)
- Cordero al palo (whole lamb cooked over hot
coals).
Festivities
Easter in Tarma (Marzo
/ Abril)
Liturgical ceremonies and processions. At this time of
the year, traditional carpets of colored flowers cover
the city's streets. Festival of the Crosses (May)
Processions, dances and samples of typical regional
dishes
Festival of Santiago throughout the Mantaro Valley
Patron Festival of Sicaya, Virgin of Cocharcas, among
others.
Services
Transport By land
Huancayo
There is no ground transport terminal, but the majority
of transport companies line up on blocks 10-12 of
Mariategui avenue, El Tambo.
Railroad Transport
Huancayo-Huancavelica Route.
Av. Ferrocarril s/n Chilca district, Huancayo.
Phone: (064) 23-2581.
Ordinary train: 5 h journey
Departures: Monday to Sunday 6:30, 12:30 and 14:00 on
Sundays.
Railcar: 3 h journey
Departures: Fridays at 6:20 and Sundays at 18:00.
Health Centers
Huancayo. Hospital Daniel A. Carrión.
Av. Daniel Alcides Carrión 1552.
Phone: (064) 22-2157.
24 hour service
Concepción .
Hospital Inmaculada Concepción.
Jr. Daniel Alcides Carrión s/n.
Phone: (064) 58-1043.
24 hour service
Jauja.
Hospital D. Olavegoya.
Phone: (064) 36-2007.
24 hour service
Tarma.
Hospital Felix Mayorca.
Av. Pachacutec 362.
Tel (064) 32-1401.
24 hour service
Chanchamayo.
Hospital de Apoyo La Merced.
Jr. Tarma 140.
Phone: (064) 53-1930.
24 hour service
Satipo.
Hospital Manuel Higa Arakaki.
Av. Daniel Alcides Carrión.
Phone: (064) 54-5045.
24 hour service
Police Stations
Chimbote.
Leoncio Prado 401.
Phone: (044) 32-1651.
24 hour service
Huaraz .
Emergencia Policía Nacional del Perú.
Phone: 105.
24 hour service
Unidad de Salvamento de Alta Montaña.
Av. Arias Grazziani s/n, Yungay.
Phone: (044) 72-3333.
24 hour service
Yungay.
Policía Nacional del Perú.
Phone: (044) 79-3292.
24 hour service
Handicrafts Markets
Casa del Artesano.
Calle Real 481, Huancayo.
Phone: (064) 23-3251.
Post Office
Huancayo.
Centro Cívico Foco 2.
Phone: (064) 23-1271.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-19:00.
Satipo.
Colonos fundadores 324.
Phone: (064) 23-1271.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-19:00.
Jauja.
Jr. Bolívar 1155.
Phone: (064) 36-1660.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00.
Tarma.
Jr. Callao 356.
Phone: (064) 32-1241.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00.
La Oroya.
Av. Horacio Zervallos Gómez 303.
Phone: (064) 39-1023.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-18:00.
La Merced.
Jr. Dos de Mayo s/n.
Phone: (064) 53-1174.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00.
Regional Tourism and Industry Office
Regional Tourism and Industry Office
Calle Real 481, Huancayo.
Phone: (064) 20-0551.
Fax: (064) 20-0550.
E-mail:
junin@mitinci.gob.pe
tourist information and assistance
Peru features a tourist information and assistance
service called iPerú where visitors can ask about
official tourist information on Peru, as well as
assistance if the tourist feels the service paid for was
not provided as advertised.
E-mail:
iperu@promperu.gob.pe
Lima Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez
Arrival lounge / main hall
Phone/fax: (01) 574-8000 / 574-6900
24-hour service
E-mail:
sptijch@indecopi.gob.pe
San Isidro
Jorge Basadre 610, Lima 27.
Phone: (01) 421-1583 / 421-1227 / 421-1627 / 421-1546.
Open: Monday to Sunday 9:00-18:00
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