Province of Huancavelica

Capital: City of Huancavelica
Altitude: 3.676 m.a.s.l.
Distance: not available

The province of Huancavelica is located in the central part of the country, in the Andean region of Peru.

Huancavelica is traditionally a miner province with a rugged landscape with mountains, summits and beautiful lagoons. Its capital Huancavelica is enclosed between high mountains that serve as a natural shelter. Due to its location it maintains a dry climate with low temperatures.

The wealth of its soil made it famous during the time of the colony. Among several mines that are currently exploited, there are: Cobriza, en Churcampa (gold and copper); Julcani in Angaraes (silver, lead and copper); Caudalosa Grande in Castrovirreyna (lead, copper, silver and zinc); and in Huachocolpa (silver, lead and copper).

Huancavelica has eight churches of great architectonic wealth from the 17th., century and a strech of cultivated land (la Virgen Dolorosa). In Santa Ana, the oldest church, they venerate the famous image of the Virgen del Rosario, known as Virgen Forastera (Traveling Virgin) because it was brought from Quito.

Outstanding are also its famous Cathedral (with its beautiful silver coated altar); as well the churches Santo Domingo, San Francisco (with a great collection of paintings with religious motives); San Cristóbal; La Ascension and San Sebastian.

How to arrive

There are several ways to get to Huancavelica following 4 detailed options to get there:

First option

By highway, Lima-Huancayo-Huancavelica (457 Kilometers), 13 hours trip by bus approximately. From Lima to Huancayo the highway is asphalted as the way to get to the place called Imperial; from there the path is a dirt road, Hill the arrival to Palca town, where the asphalted road continues till the arrival to Huancavelica.

Second option

The trip can be made in two parts: Departing by highway from Lima towards Huancayo (300 Kilometers approximately); subsequently the second part takes 5 hours, driving along the train tracks (128 Kilometers), departing of Chilca station in Huancayo, traveling by Mantaro River Creek, reaching the highway in Izcuchaca a pintoresque town famous by its bridge on Mantaro River, considered a relic of Peru history. The route continues by La Mejorada, Acoria y Yauli, to finally arrive to Huancavelica.

Third option

You can take the route Lima–Pisco–Huancavelica, by Panamericana South highway till the kilometer 231, where you have to take by Huamalí bridge, traveling by a dirt road of 268 Kilometers till Huancavelica, the major part of this trip is made by “Vía los Libertadores”, till Rumichaca by an asphalted road; from there on is a dirt road which links  Castrovirreyna with Huancavelica, this route will lead you to Huaytará, interesting archeological site; also you will appreciate the beautiful lagoons area.

Fourth option

You can also arrive to Huancavelica by a combinated route, from Lima to Ayacucho by plane and from Ayacucho to Huancavelica by land, the entire trip only takes 5 hours and a half, the flight time is 20 minutes and the road trip takes 5 hours traveling by Rumichaca, Santa Inés y Lachocc.

The last two optional routes to get to Huancavelica cross Chonta mountain range and go round of Choclococha, Pultocc, Orcococha, San Francisco lagoons also you will be able to appreciate the famous snowed of Huamanrazo of 5,303 meters high.

Festivities

Niño Callaocarpino Festivity

It takes place in Chaccllatacana, situated 30 minutes away from Huancavelica city and 700 meters high of Santa Bárbara mine
The traditional festivity takes 4 days starting on December 30 and finishing on January 2, where the Huancavelica population participates of a pilgrimage to honor the Callaocarpino Child.
During the festivity days typical dances, “de los negritos” dance, as well as bullfights Andean style and the “cortamonte” takes place.

Niño Perdido Festivity

It takes place from January 14 to 18 every year to honor the Niño Perdido, known as “Dulce Nombre de Jesús”. In this party a representation takes place: many slaves from some Chincha coast ranches participate, they simulate to arrive to Huancavelica looking for a missing child.

In front of the clan goes a white foreman with the classic long nose and in his hands carry a whip, they called him the  “Caporal Hambrecampo o Waqrasenqa” that in translation means huge nose.
There are also Maria Rosa well known as Marica a flirty and bold color woman, she carries a big spoon filled with mud that helped her to dirty some unprepared spectators.

The dance that the squad perform is “los negritos” dance has a varied choreography and colorful clothing that provides a typical attractiveness, this festivity ends at Santo Domingo Church.

San Sebastián Festivity

Señor de Killi, the main celebration takes place on January 19 and 20 every year, it takes place at San Sebastián Church, the procession goes by the main streets of Huancavelica.

Niño Emmanuel Festivity

It takes place on February 01 and 02 every year at San Cristóbal Church. The principal dance of the celebration is the “Tana-Tana” dance the dancers are dressed at Spanish and French style, perform a series of dances which choreography is a Minué adaptation, accompanying them in this dates are the Kichcamachus.

Huancavelica Carnival

It takes place on February with singular dances in all Huancavelica provinces; the dancers make a huge group “comparsa”.
The famous “carnavalon” group, persons that march by the provinces streets dancing on ashes Wednesday.

De las Cruces Festivita

It takes place on May at Yanaco, San Cristóbal, Santa Ana neighborhoods and Ascensión district the centers of this colorful festivity.
The festivity starts with the cruces descent of Cruz Pata mountain at Yanaco neighborhood, Cruz del Señor de Potocchi is the bigger is 8 meters long belongs to Ascensión district; Cruz Soltera situated in Cruz Soltera mountain belongs to San Cristóbal neighboorhod, Cruz del Señor de Oropesa belongs to Santa Ana neighborhood.

The central celebration day the “Haravi” is announce they bring the ferocious bulls, in this act the specialist “chalanes” natives or “jaladores de toros” interact with the “waqrapucus” sonata, it is said that this melody is the language of bulls.
The”pitureros” characters that received the bulls at the square, announce the arrival of the bulls and trying to scape makes a funny spectacle outside the coliseum. This celebration takes 6 days approximately.

Tourist Site Attractions:

It is interesting to visit:

- Plaza de Armas
- San Antonio Cathedral
- Arch of the Triumph
- Daniel Hernandez Regional Museum
- San Cristobal Thermal Baths

Santa Barbara Town

is characterized by its old mining facilities with colonial vestiges. Only 4 kilometers away from Huancavelica there is an old mine known as "La Mina de la Muerte" (the mine of the death) that was exploited during the vice-royalty of the colony. The natives were forced to extract the mercury which was required to purify the silver. In the zone there are still vestiges of that old colonial settlement.

Izcuchaca Town, considered a pottery center and also a thermal waters spa.

Inkañan Uchkus

Archeological site located at 24 kilometers from the city of Huancavelica. It was considered an important religious center and of astronomical observation. On one of its platforms it can see water-mirrors which let it follow the movements of the sun and the moon.

Archeological site of Huaytara

It is located at 338 kilometers from Lima, in the county of Castrovirreyna. It was originally an Inca construction used to build the church of San Juan of Huaytara during the vice-roralty, divided in two sections: The Inca Palace and the Inca Baths.

The Inca palace

It has walls of 1,65 meters width and 3,70 meters height. This building has many outstanding details of the Inca culture, like the use of niches and doors. At one side, there are the Inca baths, with similar characteristics.

The ruins of Incahuasi

It is located at 20 kilometers from Huaytara, archeological site that shows several rooms, squares and palaces. There are some places that must have served as astronomical observatories like the "intihuatanas" or sundials.

Choclococha Lagoon

It is located at 5.605 m.a.s.l., offers a beautiful landscape with high, imposing mountains that reflect in its blue water is an ideal place to hunt and fish.

Useful information

Tourist assistance
Portal Municipal Nº 45 - Plaza Mayor
Phonefax: (066) 31-8305
Attention: Monday to Saturday since 08:30 to 19:30 / Sunday since 08:30 to 14:00 horas.

Alfredo Mendívil Duarte Airport (Arrivals and Principal Hall)
Attention: Flights time.

24 horas attention phone:
(01) 574 8000