Tourism» Center

1. Ancash

The department of Ancash covers a mostly flat coastal strip to then go up to the highest peaks in Peru.  In the Callejón de Huaylas, dazzling valley located between two mountain ranges, the White Cordillera and the Black Cordillera, you will find picturesque and peaceful cities like Recuay, Carhuás, Yungay and Caraz, while the active city of Huaraz, capital of Ancash, is the urban and commercial center of the area.  This department was the scenario of the Chavin culture (1,200-200 b.C), leaving as legacy the impressive archaeological complex of Chavin de Huantar, declared World Heritage by the UNESCO in 1985.

All along this area you will be able to appreciate the most spectacular snowcapped mountains, such as the Huascarán (6768 msnm), the highest peak in Peru.  Besides its hotsprings and stunning lakes like Llanganuco, this is an ideal location to practice adventure sports like rafting, mountaineering, mountain biking or trekking.  El Huascarán National Park, declared World Heritage by the UNESCO, and its striking landscape hold wild species like condors, vicuñas, pumas, deer, Andean foxes and vizcachas (Andean hare)

For more information, go to: http://www.peru.info/s_ftociudades.asp?ids=1281&ic=2&pdr=646&jrq=3.2

2. Huánuco

The department of Huanuco features two types of geography: the Andes and the high-jungle area.  The Andean area is accentuated by the Cordillera of Huayhuash and the high-jungle area covers the oriental side of the Andes.  The city of Huanuco also capital of the department, is located on the bank of the Huallaga river and the area is well-known for the production of fruit, coffee and cacao.  It is in these lands that archaeologists found the remains of the oldest inhabitant of Peru, the Lauricocha man.   In the outskirts of Huánuco, in the city of Kotosh, you will find the Templo de las Manos Cruzadas (Temple of the Crossed Hands) and in Huanuco Pampa you will find interesting constructions dating of Inca times.

Founded in 1539, the city of Huánuco had an important cultural movement during colonial times and the cathedral, the San Francisco, San Cristobal and La Merced churches belong to that colonial period.

The plentiful Huallaga River runs along Tingo Maria, around 120km from Huanuco.  In this area you will find the Tingo Maria National Park (4777 hectares); this park holds a great variety of flora ( orchids, cat’s claw and dragon’s blood) and fauna (tigrillo, jaguar, reptiles, sachavaca, guácharo, cock of the rock and cotomono) and gives us the opportunity to appreciate the mountain range of Pumaringri, also known as ‘Sleeping Beauty’, due to its resemblance with a woman lying down.

The Cave of Owls (La Cueva de las Lechuzas) is home to nocturnal birds, while the Cueva de las Pavas have lakes with crystal water and abundant vegetation.

For more information, go to:
http://www.peru.info/s_ftociudades.asp?pdr=653&jrq=3.9&ic=2&ids=1295

3. Junín

This department covers areas in the Andes as well as in the amazon jungle.  On the west side, bordering with Lima, the range features craggy peaks covered with snow.  The landscape extends itself to the east with glacier valleys and huge plateaus.  The edge of the jungle presents narrow and deep canyons, as well as cloud forests.
The city of Huancayo is located in the Valley of Mantaro, one of the most fertile in the central Andes; the local population is dedicated to agriculture, farming, commerce and tourism.  In the old days, this area was inhabited by the Huancas, enemies of the Incas. 

This culture, according to the legend, was subjugated by Pachacútec after years of fierce resistance.
Thirty minutes from Huancayo, in the province of Concepcion, you will find the Convent of Santa Rosa de Ocopa.  This convent was built by Franciscan missionaries in 1725 aiming to catechize the inhabitants of the jungle and holds ancient colonial cloisters as well as an impressive library that holds more than 25000 books.  From the city of Jauja, first capital of the viceroyalty, you may visit the amazing lake of Paca.   The city of Tarma, also named ‘city of flowers’ is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and beautiful weather.  This department also covers jungle valleys like Satipo and Chanchamayo, where the cities of San Ramón and La Merced are found surrounded by splendid views and a typical tropical weather.
Junin also offers visits to the Historical Sanctuary of Chacamarca and the National Reserve of Junín. This place protects the second largest lake in Peru, home of the ‘zambullidor de Junin’ (diver of Junín), an endangered species of bird.

For more information, go to:
http://www.peru.info/s_ftociudades.asp?pdr=655&jrq=3.11&ic=2&ids=1299

4. Pasco

Pasco has a rich and varied geography with two well-differentiated eco-regions:
The Andes -featuring high plateaus and cold mountains- and the high-jungle, with dense vegetation and humid climate.  Its capital, Cerro de Pasco (4338 masl), is located in a mainly mining area.  Forty-five km from Cerro de Pasco, we find the National Sanctuary Bosques de Piedra de Huayllay, natural area protected by the government, with impressive rocky formations and stunning lakes.  The picturesque village of Oxapampa (1.814 masl), populated by German and Austrian colonists during the XIX century, still preserves the traditional architecture and customs of their countries.

Approximately 25km from Oxapampa, you will find the National Park of Yanachaga-Chemillén (122.000 hectares), which covers high-Andes zones and grasslands as well as tropical and cloud forests with more than 350 types of orchids, more than 520 types of birds and 125 types of mammals, like otters, jaguars, spectacled bears, small deer, macheteros, all of them endangered species.  The Yanesha, native inhabitants of the area, are spread over 60 communities.  Almost 90 km north of Oxapampa, you will find the town of Pozuzo, where German and Austrian colonists have been dedicated to the production of fruit, coffee, rice and tobacco since the XIX century.  Villa Rica, 71 km south of Oxapampa, produces coffee, pineapple and rocoto and is famous for its beautiful waterfalls.

For more information, go to:
http://www.peru.info/s_ftociudades.asp?pdr=662&jrq=3.18&ic=2&ids=1313

5. Ucayali

The department of Ucayali was initially inhabited by the Panos and the Ucayali River is one of the most important means of communication in the central jungle.  Pucallpa, whose name means ‘reddish soil’, is the capital of Ucayali and one of the cities with greater progress in the area because of its timber companies and agriculture.

The Yarinacocha Lake, one of the largest in the Amazon, is a few minutes away from Pucallpa, and its banks are home to groups of the Shipibo-Conibo ethnic group.

This is an ideal place for having fun or taking some time off and offers tourist lodges where one can go water skiing, rowing or fishing.  The area is also inhabited by ethnic groups that descend from the Pano: hospitable, kind people who will offer you typical craftwork of the area.

In the area, you will also find the Boquerón del Padre Abad, a narrow canyon with many water falls with particular names, such as the Bride’s Veil and the Shower of the Devil.

For more information, go to:
http://www.peru.info/s_ftociudades.asp?pdr=668&jrq=3.24&ic=2&ids=1325