Province of Junin

Capital: City of Huancayo
Altitude: 3.250 m.a.s.l.
Distance: 180 kilometers from Lima

The province of Junin is located in the central zone of the Peruvian Andes which comprises zoned of sierra and Amazon jungle.

On October 10th., 1824, the Liberator Simon Bolivar decreed the name of Heroica Villa of Junin, honoring thus the glorious battle the patriotic armies fought on its lands. More than two-thirds of the local population perished fighting for the independence.

Huancayo, capital of the province, is an important commercial and tourist center. The city still keeps alive its Andean traditions.

The Sunday fair on the Huancavelica Avenue is the major commercial and tourist attractiveness of the city. You can see all kinds of local handicrafts.


It is interesting to visit:

- The Cathedral
- Constitution Square
- Chapel of La Merced
- Convent of Santa Rosa de Ocopa
- Mountain of La Libertad
- Ragle Tower
- Observatory of Huarivilca
- The Criadero of Trouts in the Ingenio
- Archeological Remains of Hutammarca
- Salesiano Museum


Tourist Site Attractions:

Snowy Mountain of Huaytapallana, located at 25 kilometers of Huancayo. It has an altitude of 5.200 m.a.s.l, and it is formed by peaks of the Oriental Andean Range. In this area, adventure sports are practiced.

Ñahuimpuquio Lagoon, located at 15 kilometers of Huancayo, in the county of Chupaca. Ñahuimpuquio means in quechua language: eye of the water. ojo del agua. It is characterized by a great spring where trouts are bred. The inhabitants of the surroundings rent donkeys and boats for round-trips.

Town of Chongos Bajo, perhaps the oldest of the zone. Its church dated back from 1540; it has an altar carved in barroque-style and paintings from the school of Cuzco.

The little town of Hualhuas, stands out for the elaboration of specialized weaving of alpaca and sheep wool.

Town of San Jeronimo de Tunan, known for its excellent jewelers qualified in silver-work and fine jewelry.

The Lagoon of Paca, located at 6 kilometers of Jauja. The lagoon is surrounded by totora plants and on its shores, there are restaurants with typical regional foods and accomodations.

Town of Cochas in the county of Concepcion. Picturesque little town very renowned for its "mates burilados" elaborated by Huancas artisans of all ages (they are pumpkins engraved with a hot burin, showing scenes of the town life, county, parties and work.).

National Reservation of Junin, located at 168 kilometers from Huancayo. It has an extension surface around 53.000 hectares that protect the acuatic and mammals wildlife. This reservations objective are the conservation and protection of the Andean flora and fauna of the region.

Historical Sanctuary of Chacramarca, located at 165 kilometers from Huancayo. It has an extension surface of 2.500 hectares. A historical site that recalls the battle of the independentist army defeating the Spanish (1824).

The Grotto of Guagapo, located at 38 kilometers from Tarma. Known as "The Crying Grotto" due to the continuous leaking of water that goes through the mountain drop by drop. When going through the cave (2 kilometers approximately), you can see stalactites and stalagmites of different sizes and shapes. It is recommended to enter the grotto with a guide and special equipment.