Huancavelica by Visit Peru

A Scissors Dancer © Juan Puelles / PROMPERÚ

Huancavelica A practical guide for visitors

Huancavelica Location

Central mountains of Peru

Capital

Huancavelica (3676 meters)

Elevation Min.: 1900 msnm (Ocoyo) Max.: 5303 msnm (Wamanrasu) Climate Temperature Max.:

16 ยบC

Min.:

2 ยบC

Dec - Mar

Mar - June

June - Sept

Sept - Dec

Arriving By land Lima-Huancavelica (via Pisco): 499 km / Huancayo-Huancavelica: 144 km /

10 hr.

4 hr. (by bus) / 3 hr. (by car) 5 hr.

Ayacucho-Huancavelica (via Rumichaca): 245 km /

By train Huancayo-Huancavelica:

128 km / by express train hr. or (See schedule of departures)

3 hr. 30 min. by autowagon

The Church of San Juan Bautista © Fernando López / PROMPERÚ

Huancavelica Huancavelica

to Lima

Departmental Departmental capital capital Provincial Provincial capital capital District capital District capital Tourist attraction Tourist attraction Provincial Provincial border border Main road Main road AsphaltedAsphalted road road Unmade road Unmade road

LIMA

Railway Railway

Natural Protected Natural Protected Area Area River

Astococha Lagoon Astococha

River

Lake or lagoon Lake or lagoon

Aurahua

Huamatambo

CASTRO San Juan

San Juan Huachos

The Uchkus Incañan Archaelogical Complex © Musuk Nolte / PROMPERÚ

Ticrapo

to Pisco, Lima

Inca Palac

ICA

San Jua

JUNÍN

Huachocolpa

Huancayo Huancayo

Salcahuasi

oR tar Man

Tintay Puncu Salcabamba

Salcabamba

ive

TAYACAJATAYACAJA

Pazos

Tintay Puncu

Ñahuimpuquio Ñahuimpuquio Acostambo

Acostambo

Pampas

Colcabamba

haca Colonial Izcuchaca BridgeColonial Bridge Izcuchaca

Izcuchaca

Chinchihuasi

Mariscal CáceresMariscal Cáceres

UANCAVELICA HUANCAVELICA

Chinchihuasi

CHURCAMPA CHURCAMPA Acoria

Acoria

obambilla

Uchkus Incañan Uchkus Archaeological Incañan Archaeological Complex Complex Ecotourism Seccsachaca Complex Ecotourism “VillaComplex Cariño” “Villa Cariño”

ACOBAMBAACOBAMBA

Huancavelica Huancavelica Panao

Yauli “Willka

Yauli

Sacsamarca Sacsamarca

Acobamba Acobamba

nta BárbaraSanta former Bárbara mine former mine Ccochaccasa

Sachapite Stone Sachapite Forest Stone Forest

Allpas PreincaAllpas GravePreinca Grave

Ccochaccasa

Huayllay GrandeHuayllay Grande

Lircay

Ocopa Plantation Ocopa House Plantation House Lircay

Huachocolpa

Huachocolpa Santa Ana

Santa Ana

Churcampa Churcampa

Puquio” “Willka SpringPuquio” Spring

Pultocc Lagoon Pultocc Lagoon VIRREYNA

ANGARAESANGARAES Santo Tomás de Santo Pata Tomás de Pata

ha Orccococha Lagoon Lagoon ChoclocochaChoclococha Lagoon Lagoon Santa Inés Village Santa Inés Village

ocas

Castrovirreyna astrovirreyna

Pilpichaca

to Ayacucho to Ayacucho Cusicancha

Huaytará Incahuasi Archaeological Center Incahuasi Archaeological Center

AYACUCHO AYACUCHO

Tambo

HUAYTARAHUAYTARA Santiago de Cochorvos Santiago de Cochorvos

chade Huirpacancha an

Córdova

Querco

Córdova Santiago de Quirahuara Santiago de Quirahuara

Graphic scale Graphic (km) scale (km)

10 020 1030 2040 30

Distances

By car from the city of Huancavelica to the towns of:

DESTINATION

DISTANCE

TIME

Lircay (Angaraes Province)

78 km

1 hr.

Castrovirreyna (Castrovirreyna Province)

116 km

3 hr.

Acobamba (Acobamba Province)

105 km

3 hr.

Pampas (Tayacaja Province)

149 km

3 hr.

Huaytará (Huaytará Province)

192 km

4 hr.

Churcampa (Churcampa Province)

259 km

6 hr.

Huancavelica bread © Musuk Nolte / PROMPERÚ

Tours

2 days

(the minimum recommended stay)

½ day

City tour of Huancavelica (Main Square, main churches, museum, San Cristóbal hot springs and Seccsachaca Ecotourism Complex “Villa Cariño”.

1 day

Sacsamarca and the former Santa Bárbara mine.

1 day

Pultocc, Choclococha, Orccococha, San Francisco, Pocococha lagoons and Bella Dormida.

What to see? Huancavelica Province Main Square Since it was first laid out, the square has had several names, including Independence Square and Leguía Square. An sculpted stone fountain adorns the center.

Town Hall Main Square. The facade of this 18th century mansion, known as "los portales", has nine half-pointed arches. Originally a venue for the Holy Inquisition, it was later a public jail with a latticed window which connected to the chapel so that the prisoners could listen to mass.

Churches: • San Antonio de Padua Church Main Square. Behind its reddish baroque facade built in the 17th century, the Church of San Antonio de Padua, also known as the Cathedral, houses altars carved in gold leaf and paintings from the Cusco and Huamanga schools. • Santo Domingo Church Jirón Carabaya s/n, Santo Domingo Square. This church houses treasures brought from Rome, such as the images of the Virgin of the Rosary and of Santa Domingo, and a canvas dating from 1666 that represents Our Lord of the Sentence and Resurrection. • San Juan de Dios Church San Juan de Dios Square. Opening hours: Mon-Sun 6:00 am - 8:00 am / 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm / Sat 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Art works from the Huamanga School adorn this 17th century church. • San Francisco Church and Convent Bolognesi Square As the majority of colonial Andean temples, this church is built in the mestizo style. It features wooden gold leaf altarpieces. • San Sebastián Church Bolognesi Square. Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7:00 am - 8:00 am / 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm This 18th century church is notable for the flat ceiling in its right nave, bathed completely in gold leaf. • De La Ascensión Church Main Square in the neighborhood of Ascensión. Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7:00 am - 8:00 am / 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm This church features mestizo architecture with its single gable-roofed nave, arched doors and a tower on the corner. Two crosses that reach the ceiling and the image of San Juan Evangelista adorn its interior. • San Cristóbal Church Main Square in the San Cristóbal neighborhood. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 7:00 am - 8:00 am / 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm This church, built in 1770, houses mestizo style murals that narrate the Passion and the Death of Christ, and paintings representing the birth of baby Jesus.

Pultocc Lagoon © Juan Puelles / PROMPERÚ

• Santa Ana Church Ramón Castilla Square. Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7:00 - 8:00 am / 7:00 - 8:00 pm / Sat: 4:00 - 5:00 pm. Dating from the 16th century, the city’s first church is adorned with a canvas from the Escuela Cusqueña, among others painted by disciples of El Greco.

Daniel Hernández Morillo Regional Museum Jirón Demetrio Molloy cuadra 2, San Juan de Dios Small square. Opening hours: Tue-Sun 8:30 am - 1:00 pm / 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm Tel. (067) 453-420. Ticket entry. The museum exhibits works of Peruvian artists such as Daniel Hernández and Fernando de Szyszlo, as well as some archeological discoveries from the original inhabitants of the region. The Sergio Quijada Jara Popular Art Museum operates in the same location and displays items from different cultures.

La Ascensión Colonial Bridge Jirón Tambo de Mora s/n. It was built in the 17th century to link the city center with La Ascensión district. Despite the passage of time, it retains its original structure of lateral arches.

San Cristóbal Mineral-medicinal Hot Springs Av. 28 de Abril s/n, San Cristóbal neighborhood. Opening hours: Mon-Sun and Fri - Sun 5:00 am - 4:00 pm. Ticket entry. The waters of these pools gush from Potoqchi, an extinct volcano. They reach 18°C and are greenish in color.

Seccsachaca Ecotourism Complex “Villa Cariño” 2 km to the east of the city of Huancavelica (10 min by car). Opening hours: Mon-Sun 9:30 am - 3:30 pm. Ticket entry. This interesting site, located on the left bank of the Ichu River, includes caves, paths, natural lookouts and hot springs. The visitor can view discoveries that prove this is one of the first se lements of the Early Horizon period in the region.

Sacsamarca 3.5 km to the southwest of the city of Huancavelica (15 min. by car or 45 min. on foot). This Andean town at 3780 meters is surrounded by mountains through which the Disparate River flows. Its houses and main buildings (the church, the square and the bridge) are made of stone.

The former Santa Bárbara mine 15 km to the southeast of the city of Huancavelica (30 min. by car or 6 km on foot (1 hr. 30 min). Mercury was extracted here in colonial times to amalgamate the silver. Some buildings from the colonial mining settlement remain in the surroundings. It was also known as the “mine of death” because of the harsh working conditions. The entrance houses a stone engraving of the shield of San Cristóbal, in representation of the Spanish Crown.

Sachapite Stone Forest 18 km to the northeast of Huancavelica (30 min. by car). Volcanic ash discharges have left curious stone figures here. Some rise from the ground like towers or lookouts, while others create beautiful shadows.

Uchkus Incañan Archeological Complex 26 km to the east of the city of Huancavelica (40 min. by car). This was an administrative, religious and astronomy observation center, divided into three sectors. On the foothills there is a terrace system with five levels. One has water, which was used as a mirror to track the movements of the sun and the moon. The Spanish also opened a pithead in the hope of finding gold.

Izcuchaca Colonial Bridge 72 km to the north of the city of Huancavelica (2 hr. by car) or 56 km from the city of Huancayo (1 hr by car). This bridge was built on Inca foundations to connect Ayacucho, Huancavelica and Junín. Plaster and lime from the quarry at Aguas Calientes were used for its construction. It features a half pointed arch, 16.5 meters in height.

Castrovirreyna Province Pultocc Lagoon 64 km to the south of the city of Huancavelica (2 hr. by bus). 4 km from the community of Choclococha (10 min. by car). Surrounded by snow, the lagoon is a source of water for livestock. Wild ducks, huallatas (the Andean goose), vizcacha rodents and trout farming in floating cages can also be seen.

The Village of Santa Inés 4 km to the south of the city of Castrovirreyna (20 min. by car). The Orccococha, San Francisco and Pacococha lagoons can be found in this mining town's surroundings. It is a good place to try the trout and some alpaca meat meat dishes.

Choclococha Lagoon 68 km to the south of the city of Huancavelica (2 hr. by car). This lagoon lies at an elevation of 4605 meters and is a must for nature lovers and fishing enthusiasts. A beautiful sight is created by the reflection of the surrounding countryside on its tranquil waters.

Bella Dormida 4 km to the south of the city of Castrovirreyna (20 min. by car). The silhouette of the Santiago mountain, whose summit reaches 4676 meters, resembles the form of a sleeping woman. Bella Dormida (Sleeping Beauty) adorns the landscape and can be viewed from the highway. The services of a guide are necessary for those who wish to trek through the area.

Huaytará Province Inca Temple 5 minutes on foot from the main square of Huaytará. Ticket entry. This is an Inca construction upon which the colonial Church of San Juan de Huaytará was built. Some of the details of the original design, including recesses and trapezoidal doors, can still be seen on its polished walls of sillar stone. The Baths of the Inca are located to the side.

Manuel Humberto Espinoza Archeological Museum Behind the Huaytará Town Hall. Opening hours: Tue-Fri 8:00 am - 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm / Sat-Sun 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. Ticket entry. The museum houses a collection of more than one thousand ceramic pieces, gold and silver jewelry, fossils, funeral bundles and fabrics from the Nasca, Paracas, Wari and Inca cultures.

Incahuasi Archeological Center 22 km to the north of the city of Huaytará via Los Libertadores (30 min. by car). The center includes dormitories, squares, water storage, palaces and canals created with carved stones and fitted to perfection. The presence of intihuatanas (solar clocks) suggests that it functioned as an astronomy observatory.

Angaraes Province Town of Lircay 75 km to the southeast of the city of Huancavelica (1 hr. by car). The provincial capital boasts a mild climate and beautiful landscapes. Visitors to the neighborhood of Pueblo Viejo will feel transported back in time because of the colonial buildings. Those who wish to relax, will find a pool of temperate medicinal waters at Huapa, 4 km from the town.

The Lircay Cemetery At the entrance of the town of Lircay. A walk through this cemetery allows the visitor to appreciate the mausoleums of the most powerful landowners of the 18th century. Some are true works of art.

The Anqara Park The intersection of Jirón Libertad and Av. 9 de Octubre in the Bellavista neighborhood, town of Lircay. Opening hours: Tues-Sun 8:30 am. - 5:00 pm. Ticket entry. This park houses stone sculptures depicting various cultural representations of the Lircay people, such as traditional landscapes and scenes from local tales. Animals typical of the area can also be seen.

The Ocopa Plantation House 6 km to the northeast of the city of Lircay (20 min. by bus). This home, dating back more than one hundred years, is neoclassical in style. Its main balcony has a splendid view of the countryside surrounding the plantation. The halls and bedrooms preserve aspects of its original decoration.

Huayllay Grande 6 km to the northeast of the city of Lircay (20 min. by car). This old colonial Andean town has cobble stone streets. The feature of its portal-lined main square is a colonial church which houses the image of the Lord of Huayllay.

Acobamba Province San Juan Bautista Church The Pueblo Viejo neighborhood. The stone carvings on the facade of this colonial church mix baroque and churrigueresco styles. Inside, it is adorned with carved wooden altars.

Allpas Preinca Grave 5 km to the south of Acobamba (25 min by car or 1 h 30 min on foot). These tombs, carved out of rocky outcrops similar to those of the Cajamarca culture, are located near the Allpas community.

Virgen de Lourdes Labyrinths 4 km to the northeast of Acobamba (15 min. by car, then 10 min. on foot). This area attracts trekking and rock climbing adventure sport enthusiasts. Hikes through the area lead to Quillimachay cave paintings and Qellqacha petroglyphs, where, in 6000 BC, the ancient inhabitants left evidence of their presence.

“Willka Puquio” Spring 2 km to the southwest of Acobamba (10 min. by car). The seat and the baths of the Inca are surrounded by stone sculptures representing felines and anthropomorphous beings.

Calendar 31 Dec-2 Jan

Niño Callaorcarpino and Jacobo (Huancavelica)

4-8 Jan

Adoration of the Magi (Huancavelica)

Jan (movable)

The Lost Child Festival (Huancavelica)

Mar-Apr (movable)

Easter (Huancavelica)

May-June (movable)

Holy Spirit Pentecost Festival (Huancavelica)

24-28 Dec

Galas, Laiccas, scissors dance or Tusuq (Huancavelica)

What to eat? Huancavelica’s gastronomy draws on a variety of meats, such as guinea pig for the picante de cuy (barbecued and seasoned with hot peppers) and alpaca for the apanado (breaded and served with rice, potatoes and salad). The pachamanca is a popular tradition in the Andes, based on cooking in a pit using different types of meat, potatoes and corns. Ropa vieja is a beef stew with pulses, potatoes, rice and cabbage. Popular baked products are also characteristic of the region, such as cheese buns, pumpkin empanadas and wheat bread. Well-known desserts include mazamorra de maíz (a corn porridge) and ayrampu (a purple prickly pear porridge).

What to buy? Huancavelica has a strong pottery tradition and its containers, pots and other decorative objects worked in baked clay are well-known. Its inhabitants are also skilled in textile art, creating beautiful blankets and dress garments. Saddlery is another traditional craft and products such as straps, carry bags and mounts are made. These items can be found in the handicrafts markets in the city of Huancavelica.

Huancavelica City Center

Historic Center River Urban area

Huancavelica Cathedral

Santo Domingo Church

Town hall and entrance to the Old Market

Daniel Hernández Morillo Regional Museum

San Juan de Dios Church

San Francisco Church and Convent

San Sebastián Church

Tambo de Mora

Ascensión Bridge

De la Ascensión Church

San Cristóbal Mineral-medicinal Hot Springs

San Cristóbal Church

Santa Ana Church

Seccsachaca Ecotourism Complex “Villa Cariño”

Cerro de Oropesa Natural Lookout

Municipal Tourist Information Office Medical attention Police City Hall Post Office

100 0

200 100 meters

200 meters

Altitude: 3676Altitude: masl 3676 masl

Cl. J

Cl. J uan Vela Vela sco sco Cl. Maria Alva Cl Alva no Melga. Maria rM adeloga n o rado r r uan

Av. Ernest

ba obam Jr. Ac

s Jr. Pampa

Jr. Ac

Cl. Ubalgo

alles Vers la Piéro

Jr. Pampa

Psj.

e olás d

ola

cía de n Gar

a Jr. Ju

Jr. rre Tagle . Torre Jr B. Leg Augusto B. Jr. To uía Leguía

lon

ial

gusto

Jr.

Co Jr. Ricardo Palma lon ial

Jr.

e Enero lís

Jr. 20 d e Enero Jr. So Jr. Ricardo Palma lís

Jr. Au

di imon

Jr. Ra

Jr. So

dos los Go

Jr. M

Jr. H arra Psj uancavelicPaJr. Huancave Gam lica sj. .H ín G ustín g ua H A . gust u yta Jr ay Jr. A tar rá á8 8 Av. Mariscal Av. AndrésMA. arCá o iscce al re Ans drés A. Cá Chávez ávezy Toled h ceJre C e r.sJorge rg Jr. Jo irre 4irrey Jr. V Jr. V r. Arica 5 J Bolognesi Jr. Pachacútec Jr. Pachacútec Bolognesi Jr. A 7 Square 7 Square 6 6

Godo

Jr. 20 d

9 J r. H ipó ipó lito Central lito Un U Market anu e la e r a re a V Psj. V j. Ps oria t c i i Jr. V a Jr. V Garm Garm

e Piér olás d

e los rcía d

an Ga

to the Alberto Benavides to the Alberto Benavides . Q. terminal Q. terminal .

Jr. Ju

obam ba

Cl. Hil

9 J r. H

Central Rive Market r

Jr. Nic

Ichu

Rive

Jr. Nic

daura

Castro

orales Ascención Ascención Main Square Main Square 10 Jr. San Juan EvJr. Sa 10 n angelista Juan Evangelis ta Ichu

P Cl.

11 Huancavelica Huancave Bullring Bullrin A

Cl. Ubalgo

o MorAalv.esErnesto M

P Cl.

ño

ata

n aria

Jr.

Sin

Jr.

ca Ro

chi

lí So lo ab P 12 Jr.

Jr.

año

Cat

no aria

lís

Jr.

tilla Cas . To

ril

cay

u r. H

Train Station ancas s anca os Ch os Ch Av. L Av. L

u ra

j. G

háv M. C

a Hu

osé

áve

Cl. Pun

13 ñoz

u Train go M che n a . M Station

Jr. J

. Ch

baya

ápa

Jr. Cara

oz Muñ

ego

Jr.

Cl. Pun

nch

Ma Av.

sé M

y aba

Car

nc Ma

baya

Psj

ril

ancJar. Jo

Jr.

Jr. Jr. Cara

. To

Barr

nca

Psj

a Barr

tián

ebas

ya aba Car egura Jr. c A. S ápa uel Man co C

Main Square

Municipal Stadium n van o n ova o Don O' D ' . O r J Jr.

enc

end

dep

In Psj.

cal aris

Riv

u Municipal Ich Stadium

Jr. S

cia

den

pen

to Huancayoto Huancayo

e. M

Roca

ive

Ich

nq pa

Jr. Sinchi

qu an

Roca

Abril 28todbeál AvC.ris bál an Cristo v. San Jr. HuaynAa Jr Cápac . Huayna Cápa c

de j. In Ps2

u cY pa Tústilla Jr. Ca cal aris

ca R

Jr. In

Jr. Sinchi

oca

Y ac

oca

ca R

Jr. In

p Tú

de A

Jr. 5

e. M

gosto

Jr.

gosto

de A

Jr. 5

bre l Ca

San Cristóbal San Square Cristóbal Square

Psj

one Cor

b Pa

24 hours (+51-1) 574-8000 (+51) 944-492-314 iperu@promperu.gob.pe VisitPeru

www.peru.travel www.ytuqueplanes.com

The information in this brochure was updated in November 2019. In developing it, PROMPERU has used official information sources such as the Huancavelica Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade and Tourism. Opening hours and telephone numbers are subject to change by any of the tourist attractions. Confirm opening hours and telephone numbers with IPERU.

A publication by the Peru Export and Tourism Promotion Board - PROMPERU Calle Uno Oeste n.° 50, piso 14, urb. Córpac, San Isidro, Lima - Perú Telephone: (+51-1) 616-7300 www.promperu.gob.pe © PROMPERÚ. All rights reserved. Hecho el Depósito Legal en la Biblioteca Nacional del Perú n.° xxxxxx Printing: Quad/Graphics Perú S.A. (Av. Los Frutales No. 344, Ate Vitarte-Lima) Lima, October 2019

FREE DISTRIBUTION. NOT FOR SALE.