Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
person minimum). There are ducks and gulls, and you can stop at
Isla del Amor
- a tiny
artificial island. A
mototaxi
here costs S3.
A well-preserved
Camino del Inca
(Inca road) runs from Jauja to Tarma. The most
spectacular section is from Tingo (30 minutes from Jauja by taxi) to Inkapatakuna (30
minutes from Tarma), a scenic six- to eight-hour hike.
Half an hour west of Jauja on the Lima road, is
Pachacayo
, gateway to the remote
Reserva Nor Yauyos-Cochas
, an iconic Andean smorgasbord of glimmering blue-green
mountain lakes nestled within towering peaks and home to the
Pariacaca Glacier
. You'll
need your own 4WD vehicle (hire one in Lima or Huancayo) to get there; otherwise con-
tact the folks at Hostal Manco Cápac who may be able to help with arrangements.
There is a colorful
market
in the town center every Wednesday morning. Some good
general information can be found at
www.jaujamiperu.com
(Spanish).
Sleeping
Many visitors stay in Huancayo and travel to Jauja by minibus or
colectivo
taxi.
Hostal Manco Cápac $
( 36-1620;
www.hostal-mancocapac.com
; Manco Cápac 575; without bathroom incl
breakfast s S35-50, d S80)
By far the best choice in Jauja is this secure, peaceful house
with huge rooms abutting two courtyard gardens. Bathrooms are clean and showers hot:
each room is allotted its own exclusive bathroom. It's three blocks north of the Plaza de
Armas and rates include a continental breakfast with freshly brewed coffee. The owners
are great sources of local information, but book in advance as they are not always there.
GUESTHOUSE
Hostal María Nieves $
( 36-2543; Gálvez 491; s with/without bathroom S40/35, d S50/40)
This place also
comes recommended: the friendly owner is accustomed to hosting the odd stray gringo
and offers nine homely rooms of which three have private bathrooms. Breakfast is avail-
able on request.
GUESTHOUSE
Eating
Out by Laguna de Paca, a string of lakeshore restaurants attempt to entice diners with
shrill, piped Andean music. Music aside, the lakeside tables are pleasant enough to sit at.
There is little to choose between the bunch, though most offer a creditable plate of
pachamanca
(meat, potatoes and vegetables cooked in an earthen 'oven' of hot rocks).
