• Peru Guide

  • Introduction to Peru
  • Weather
  • Things not to miss
  • Entry requirements
  • Money
  • Getting around
  • Public holidays

• Explore Peru

  • Lima
  • Around Lima
  • The south coast
  • Arequipa
  • Around Arequipa
  • The Titicaca Basin
  • Cusco
  • The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
  • Around Cusco
  • The Central Sierra
  • The North
  • The Jungle

• Cities

  • Arequipa
    
  • Ayacucho
    
  • Cusco
    
  • Huánuco
    
  • Iquitos
    
  • Lima
    
  • Trujillo
    

Peru Guide

The Central Sierra

Huancayo

• Eating
• Nightlife
• Accommodation

A large commercial city with just over 323,000 inhabitants, HUANCAYO is the capital of the Junin departamento. The city rests at 3244m above sea level and is only six hours or so by car from Lima and two hours by car from La Oroya. An important market centre thriving on agricultural produce and dealing in vast quantities of wheat, this city makes a good base for exploring the Mantaro Valley and experiencing the region's distinct culture. While the area is rich in pre-Colombian remains, the city itself is mostly relatively modern, with very little of architectural or historical interest. It is still a lively enough place with a busy market and even some nightlife at weekends; it's also worth trying to coincide a trip with the splendid Fiesta de las Cruces each May, when Huancayo erupts into a succession of boisterous processions, parties and festivities.