PASCO

GENERAL DATA

Location: The department of Pasco is situated in Peru’s central highlands.
Area: 25 320 km2
Capital: Cerro de Pasco (4 338 masl)
Altitude: 256 masl (Puerto Bermudez) Lowest town.
4 380 masl (Cajamarquilla) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 12,5º C (22º C maximum and 4º C minimum).
Rainy season: October to March.

ACCESS ROUTES

By land: Lima-Cerro de Pasco (296 km) along the Central Highway (approximately 8 h by car).

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

The first dwellers of the Pasco Region (Andean area) were the Pumpos. The ruins of their rustic dwellings give the impression that they formed an urban center for small groups of people.
During the early stages of the conquest, very few missionary explorers gained access to this area, however when they did settle in what is now the Pasco Province, they came across Indian chiefs devoted to mining gold and silver. The Spanish miners staked their claims in Jauja, naming the area Yauri, or Bare Hill.

OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY OF CERRO DE PASCO

San Pedro de Ninacaca Church

Situated 31 km from Cerro de Pasco, about 25 minutes away by car, this building was declared a National Historical Monument in 1 940. This unique church dates back to the early days of the colony. It is built of stones forming decorative figures, including a musical staff.

Replica of the Carrión Mansion

Av. Los Incas s/n, Yanachanca, 1,8 km from Cerro de Pasco, about 10 minutes by car.
Built in memory of Daniel Alcides Carrion, a Peruvian medical martyr, it is situated in the gateway of the hospital of the same name, in the

Yanacancha district

Stone Forest of Huayllay Natinal Sanctuary
Canchacucho Settlement.
Visits: 8:00-17:00. Registration in the information booth.
Situated 40 km from Cerro de Pasco in the Huayllay district, about 45 minutes by car. It is a beautiful site with a marvelous display of rocks of various human and animal shapes, depending on the position of the sun and the visitor’s imagination. The figures give the impression of having been carefully hand-sculptured by man.

Calera Termal Baths
Located 43 km from Cerro de Pasco in the district of Huayllay, about 50 minutes by car. The baths are well known for their medicinal properties.

Huaguruncho Mountain
A beautiful snow-capped mountain (5 730 masl) situated 6 km from the Huachon district, about 2 h by car. At the foot of the mountain there is a chain of lagoons that add even more beauty to the wonderful landscape. It is an ideal spot for walking and mountain climbing.

Conoc Termal Baths

Situated in the Pallanchacra district, 66 km from Cerro de Pasco (about 2 h by car), these baths are surrounded by a large variety of landscapes. They are well known for the medicinal properties of their water.

Pun Run Lagoon
A beautiful lagoon situated in the Tinyahuarco district, 37 km from Cerro de Pasco (about 1 h by car). The wide range of water fauna gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy a day of fishing, or simply walking.

Bombón Plateau
Situated 35 km from Cerro de Pasco, about 30 minutes by car. This is the site of the Hydrographic Basin of Lake Chinchaycocha and important native communities. It has a wide range of Andean wildlife.

Oxapampa

A picturesque town with unique characteristics, given the tremendous German influence in its architecture and customs. It has a healthy climate and is surrounded by beautiful lush vegetation.

Santa Rosa Church
Plaza de Armas – Main Square of Oxapampa
Inaugurated in 1 940, its rectangular wooden construction is typical of the traditional European technique used in this area.

Large Houses
The large houses and other buildings in Oxapampa are mostly built of wood, in the style introduced by German immigrants.

Yanachaga Chemillén National Park
Situated in the Pozuzo, Huancabamba, Oxapampa and Villa Rica districts, the park covers 122 thousand hectares and houses a variety of plant and animal species protected by the high forests.

Pozuzo

Situated 360 km from Pasco, this was originally an Austrian-German colony that settled on land awarded under the so-called “reducciones” system in 1 857.

San José de Pozuzo Chapel
Built in 1 875, it is situated in the same square as the monument to Father Jose Egg, the founder and first parish priest of Pozuzo. The chapel has a single nave, with cement structures and wood finishes. Inside there are inscriptions in both German and Spanish.

Pozuzo Hanging Bridge
Located over the Huancabamba river, the bridge was a gift from Prussian Emperor William II in 1 914.

Villa Rica

El Encanto and Velo Azul Waterfalls
Situated 12 km from Villa Rica, 30 minutes away, these are 30m and 25 m waterfalls. The first of these has three stages, ideal for a refreshing bathe and a wonderful view of the exuberant nature.

Chontabamba

Tunqui Cave
Located 5 km from Oxapampa, this is a limey stone cavern with stalactite-type rocky formations. Inside there is a lower part comprised of earth and slippery rocks.

Puerto Bermúdez
Situated 353 km from Pasco, about 14 h by car.

Pichis and Palcazú rivers
These rivers are suitable for ecotourism, adventure tourism and ethnolinguistics. The virgin jungle and biodiversity make this an attractive tourist spot for lovers of nature and traditional medicine, providing the opportunity to meet native communities and to sample typical dishes made with fish and exotic fruit.

FOLKLORE

Characteristic music and dances of old German colonists, such as the payrisshpolka, the German waltz and the mazurca (in Pozuzo).
Chonguinada, auki danza, los negritos (Vicco and Shelvy) la mulisa cerreña, la trenzada, los viejos, la charicamay, la changanacuy y el santiago are the names of some traditional dances.

GASTRONOMY

Typical dishes:

• Pachamanca ((various types of meat, potatoes and corn, covered with aromatic herbs and cooked underground between hot stones, in pre-Hispanic style).
• Picante de cuy (Guinea pig stew cooked in a peanut and red pepper sauce).
• Head Broth (Sheep’s head stock with spearmint and hot chili peppers).

Traditional beverages are maca punch, caliche, chicha de jora, etc.

FESTIVALS

Festival of the Crosses (May)

A customary festival that has been held throughout the month of May since colonial times, with the participation of stewards and dance troupes from the neighborhoods of San Cristóbal Uliachin, Rosario de Yanachaga, San Juan Pampa, Huancapucro, Paragsha. Chonguinada, baile viejo are famous elegant Negroid dances presented in churches, squares and important places, finally competing in a contest organized by the Municipality.

Ruraltur Huayllay – Ecotourism Festival (September)

A fellowship festival for visitors and community members, which takes place on the first weekend in September at the Huayllay Stone Forest National Sanctuary. It includes folklore presentations from the entire region, accompanied by orchestras and bands. Typical beverages and dishes are served, made with alpaca, mutton or trout and potatoes, maca, chuño (dried potato), etc. Walks and adventure sports also take place in the Huayllay Stone Forest circuit.

Other Important Festivals: The Chaupihuaranga 2 000 Yanahuanca tourist and archaeological festival (May), The Ecotourism Festival of the Central Jungle Native and Tourist Communities-Villa Rica (July), The Livestock and Ecotourism Festival-Pozuzo (October).

SERVICES

• Airport
• Land Transport
• Health Centers
• Police Stations
• Handicrafts Markets
• Post Office
  

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