'''Huancayo''' is the capital of the department of Junin in Southern Sierra region of Peru.

Understand

The population is about 500,000, altitude 3300 m. Huancayo lies on the lower end of the broad Mantaro Valley. The surrounding mountains reach up to ca. 3,600 m.

In Peru, there is not only Cuzco, Arequipa y Puno to visit, but also charming, smaller towns such as the ones encountered in the region of Junin. Such towns represent another aspect of the Peruvian culture and its traditions, giving the tourists another experience of this diverse country. In Huancayo and its surroundings, there are many activities to do and many un-touristy cultural sites to visit. When Pizzaro settled the first capital of Peru in Jauja his first impression of the region was that it looked like Switzerland. The everlasting valley of Mantaro is very green, its agriculture is flourishing and is full of wondering cows, pigs, donkeys and lambs. The region is full of pre Inca ruins, from the Wanka civilization. You should go and visit Tunanmarca, a wanka ruin that has more than 3000 houses! or go trekking on the Huaytapallana glacier for a day. It is a pleasant and relatively safe place for visitors to practice their Spanish, meet down-to-earth Peruvians, and try delicious local food at reasonable prices. Ruins, museums, trekking and fishing are on the menu.

Get in

By bus

[Many bus companies offer services from and to] Lima. Huancavelica, a five hour trip, is also available.

By train

The '''Ferrocarril Central Andino'''[http://www.rrdc.com/op_peru_fcca.html] the train line joining Lima to Huancayo is the second highest railway in the world and the highest in South America. The Journey on board of the Train of the Andes through the heart of Peru is simply breathtaking. It is an 11 hour experience where the train reaches an altitude of 4781m.a.s.l (15,681ft) and goes through 69 tunnels, 58 bridges and makes 6 zigzags. In 1999, the company was privatized, in 2005, Ferrocarril Central Andino renovated their passenger wagons in a luxurious and comfortable way which puts the railway in the list of the most famous trains along with the Orient Express and the Trans-Siberian. You will not regret this original trip...

Other

During the day, there are always ''colectivos'' to and from Jauja.

Get around

'''Taxis''' - transport in the city is around 3 Soles (US$0.8).

See

  • '''Cerrito de la Libertad''' Take a taxi or walk to this view point over the whole city.
  • '''Torre-Torre''' Sandstone needles, the impressive effect of erosion.
  • Visit the '''marked area''' behind the railway station to Lima.
  • '''La Inmaculada''' A church where you can often find local musicians that wait to be hired for some wedding or whatever, some of which play on real cow horns.
  • '''Parque de Identidad''' A famous park in the city that is widely loved for its strange and artistic design that is popular with children.
  • Do

  • Many tourist agencies offer a '''day trip through villages''' in the valley for different prices, but in the end all the agencies send their clients to the same bus. The tour is well guided in Spanish and goes to San Jeronimo, Ingenio, and several other villages.
  • If you have a chance definitely try a volunteer/homestay option. Best place to get to know some Peruvian culture.
  • Eat

    It is a pity that this region is unknown to tourists, everything is great and especially its local food. By not visiting the region of Junin people miss a lot of Peru's culture and tradition. If you are a culinary addicted, you have to jump on the Ferrocarril Central ( it would give you a good first glance of the good local food)and run to a restaurant in Conception or Jauja!

    Everyone who visits the region of Junin has to go and eat a trout in the village of Ingeno. Every restaurant has its own recipes and ways of preparing this local product. You have to try the cebiche de Trucha or La Troucha a la huancaina!

    For the bravest the most reputated dish that could fill your starvation is the ''picante de cuy'' or ''cuy Chactado'' (guinea pig). It is found in every restaurant and every tourist simply has to try it before they leave the region, it is an experience!

    Another typical local dish would be the '''Papa a la Huancaina''' with a plate of '''Pachamanca''' (a way of cooking the food, served with many different food) it is delicious.

    Buy

    Drink

    Club & discotec

  • '''La Noche''', Jr. San Antonio 241 - Huancayo
  • '''Taj Mahal''', Av Huancavelica - Huancayo
  • Bar

  • '''El Tayta''', Av Huancavelica #859 - Huancayo
  • Sleep

  • '''Hospedaje Tachi''', Huamanmarca 125, Family run, very friendly atmosphere, laundry facility, double room for 10 soles (US$3) each. Some English is spoken.
  • '''Hotel Kiya''', The fist hotel in Huancayo, in the center of the main city, double room for 66 soles (Average rate US$20.00). English is spoken. Contact us: contact@hotelkiya.com, Telephone: +5164 214955
  • '''La Casa de la Abuela''', Giraldez 691, dorms for 20 soles per person or double room for 25 soles per person. Great atmosphere, very popular among backpackers.
  • '''Hostal Las Lomas''', Av. Giraldez 327, tel-fax: +51 (0)64 23 75 87. Close to the train station and the Plaza de Armas. Good value for money. Winston and Helena, the couple of super-friendly owners, will inform you with pleasure about the places to visit in the area, explaining you precisely all the practical details.
  • There are several hotels on the city square with rates well under 100 soles per night. Except during festivals, there's probably no need for reservations.
  • Get out

  • '''Huarivilca''', or ''Warivilca''. A temple ruin from the Wari era. Take a ''colectivo'' or a taxi to the village Huari. You will find the museum (service in the morning and in the afternoon) in the plaza. You can get there explanations in English. After the museum, the guide will show you the ruins, too.
  • The trains to Huancavelica leave Huancayo at 6AM and 1PM during the week and 2pm and 6pm Sundays. The journey takes about 5 hours. The station is at the crossing of Av. Ferrocarril and Av. Junin. Probably, you will see the old station building first. Beware, it's out of order. The new one is on the other side of the rails and is not very easy to find.