Peru-Huancayo-Excursion-Guide.Pdf
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Peru - Huancayo Welcome to Project Huancayo, Peru! We hope you are looking forward to your volunteer trip! While we highly value all of the great work volunteers do in the field with FIMRC staff and community members, we recognize your important opportunity to explore Peru! Since volunteer activities coincide with normal business hours, Monday through Friday are spent volunteering and Saturday and Sunday are typically spent learning about the local culture or traveling on excursions. While no excursions are required, many volunteers like to take advantage of this opportunity. The following guide includes the most popular excursion options among staff and volunteers . Once on-site, our staff will help you make all arrangements. Please note, excursions as well as the associated transport cost are not included in your program fee paid to FIMRC. History & Culture Peru is a country located in western South America. It is bordered in the north by Ecuador and Colombia, in the east by Brazil, in the southeast by Bolivia, in the south by Chile, and in the west by the Pacific Ocean. Peruvian territory has had a long history, being colonized by many ancient civilizations such as the Norte Chico people and the Incas. In the 16th century, Peru was conquered by Spain and did not gain its independence until 1821. Since Huancayo that time, Peru has established a representative democratic republic and has experienced periods of political and economic turmoil, as well as periods of stability and economic upswing. Peru is an ethnically diverse nation with a long history, and the mixture of cultural traditions has resulted in a wide variety of expressions in fields such as art, cuisine, literature, and music. Did You Know... • Peru has three official languages: Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara. Roughly 84% of the population speaks Spanish. Many Peruvians also speak a wide variety of native languages. • Peru is divided into 25 regions . Huancayo is found in the Junín region. • Peru has the second largest segment of Amazonian rainforest. • Peruvian artistic traditions date back to the elaborate handicrafts of the Pre- Inca cultures. • The Incas were known for their many architectural achievements, the most notable of which is Machu Picchu. • Guinea Pigs may be adorable, docile pets in the US, but in Peru, they are an important source of food and are featured heavily in Peruvian folklore. 1 Peru - Huancayo Excursions 1 Excursions The following options include the most popular activities in and around Huancayo. Please note, excursions as well as the associated transport cost are not included in your program fee paid to FIMRC. While some activities are free of charge, tranportation may be needed. All prices listed are in USD. 1 Huanca Identity Park (Parque de la Identidad Huanca) This quaint park is a common location for wedding photos. Made entirely of stones, the park was designed to promote Huancaino culture and identity. Throughout the park you’ll see representations of Huancaino crafts and 2 statues of famous Andean folkloric artists such as “The Great Gourd,” the pools of Gourd and Maguey, and the Tower of Children. Pricing: Free 2 Chapel ‘Le Merced’ The Chapel “Le Merced” is a National Historical Monument in Peru where the first congress met to sign the Constitution in 1839. The Chapel has an altar and a wooden pulpit carved in baroque style, reflecting the historical architecture in Peru. Due to natural disasters, the Chapel has had to be restored on several occasions, but it still remains to be a beautiful preservation of colonial culture in Peru. Pricing: Free 3 Torre Torre (Tower Tower) 3 In the outskirts of the city, you’ll find a series of geological formations up to 100 feet tall. These structures of red clay were formed into natural towers and castles over many years of erosion. From these sights, you will get a fantastic view of the city. You also have the opportunity to hike or have a picnic nearby! It is recommended to get a tour guide for this excursion. Pricing: Prices vary for tours, but admission to the towers is free. 4 Plaza de la Constitución Plaza de la Constitución, or Constitution Square, is one of two squares in Huancayo and a popular destination that was named after the Constitution, signed in 1813. It provides a popular, historic site to visitors, as it is surrounded by the Cathedral, the Theater Nuestra Señora del Valle and the offices of the Archbishop. The other square in Huancayo is named Huanmamarca Square 4 and is also a good location to visit. Pricing: Free 5 Cerro de la Libertad Cerro de la Libertad, or “Liberty Hill,” is a natural roof that is located 1 km northeast of Huancayo. Also known as “the lookout,” Cerro de la Libertad provides visitors one of the most beautiful views of Huancayo and its surrounding Mantaro valley. It has a heated pool, a mini zoo, recreational games for children, a bandshell, and a chapel. Pricing: Free 2 Peru - Huancayo Weekday Excursion Options 7 6 House of Youth and Culture In this modern building, there is a dance workshop, cinema, shops, a café, internet booths, and more. This destination in Huancayo gives tourists a more modern view of the city and allows them to stay connected! The House of Youth and Culture is a great visit to do in conjunction with some of the older attractions to really get a feel of Huancayo lifestyle. Pricing: Prices vary depending on activity 7 Craft Village Tour in Mantaro Valley The surrounding Mantaro Valley near Huancayo houses multiple diverse villages that each specialize in certain crafts, such as gourd carving, weaving, or silverwork. Each day in the week there is a market in a certain 8 village where these handicrafts are sold. Even if you do not wish to purchase items, it is interesting to watch some of the crafts being produced! There are many tour operators that offer tours throughout the Mantaro Valley villages, many of which are easy to contact once in Peru. Pricing: Prices vary for tour operators; also bring money to purchase crafts 8 Huaytapallana Glacier The Huaytapallana glacier is found at the top of a mountain range in Huaytapallana, in Mantaro Valley, about 3 km from Huancayo. It is famous not because of size, but because of its extremely high melting rate, sparking the establishment of many conservation efforts. An excursion to the Huaytapallana glacier is usually a full day excursion requiring a guide, and Papa a la Huancaina is recommended for those who are physically fit. Additionally the glacier is about 5000 meters above sea level and acclimatization is advised prior to climbing, as the trek is steep and rigorous in places. Tickets for the trek 9 up the glacier with a tour guide can be purchased at the tourist kiosk in Huanmamarca Plaza in Huancayo. Pricing: $20 9 La Feria Dominical The Sunday Fair in Huancayo occurs every Sunday and dominates 10 full city blocks in the city center, from the 2nd to the 12th block of Av. Huancavelica. Hundreds of vendors travel to the city from the surrounding towns to display and sell their crafts, such as jewelry and textiles. You can also enjoy traditional Peruvian culinary options and immerse yourself further in the culture of Huancayo. This market has been running continuously since 1572, and is a very wellknown attraction for tourists. Pricing: Free entry, spending money recommended 9 10 Casa del Artesanía If you are able to make it to the Sunday market, this is the place to go to find typical Peruvian artisanal goods in Huancayo. Prices of goods can vary widely; negotiating with vendors is highly recommended. Pricing: Free entry, spending money recommended Chifa 3 Peru - Huancayo WeekdayRestaurants Excursion and Nightlife Options 2 Popular Culinary and Nightlife Options The following options include popular restaurants and nightlife options in the Huancayo area. Prices vary greatly, those below are listed in USD. 1 Rustica Located inside of the Real Plaza mall, Rustica is a popular destination for volunteers. It is a three-story karaoke bar with large video screens located all around. Definitely a fun night on the town! A typical “calientito” 2 El Inka & Antojitos 3 Both of these restaurants/bars offer a traditional Huancayan specialty, “calientitos”, and are extremely popular during the Peruvian happy hour. These drinks, typically comprised of rum or pisco, are served hot, like tea, due to the cold climate of Huancayo, which gets even chillier at night. 3 Hotel Olímpico Right by the main plaza, Hotel Olímpico has been a mainstay in Huancayo for many years. This is one of the best places to try papa a la Huancaina, a traditional Peruvian dish of salad with boiled yellow potatoes in a spicy, creamy sauce. Pricing: Entrees range between $1 and $7. Papa a la Huancaina 4 Insomnio This two story discoteca is known as the best in Huancayo, and attracts people from all over Peru, as well as a sizable group of tourists. The music 5 is a blend of reggaeton and electronic, and dancing is highly encouraged! 5 Detrás de la Catédral Located behind the cathedral in the Plaza de la Constitución (hence the name), this is one of the better restaurants in the city of Huancayo, if not the best. This restaurant, which received four stars on TripAdvisor, is the perfect place to try cuy (guinea pig) or anticucho (cow heart). For those less adventurous, there are other terrific options as well. Pricing: Entrees range from $6-$12 6 Cafe Grosella Located very close to the Thomas family homestay, Cafe Grosella offers a wide variety of menu items, most quite delicious.