Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
block along Real to find some of the city center's abundant internet cafes: S1.50 seems the
going hourly rate and most do international phone calls.
Clínica Ortega
( 23-5430; Carrín 1124; 24hr)
English is spoken. Southwest of the
center.
Incas del Perú
( 22-3303;
www.incasdelperu.org
; Giráldez 658)
A recommended
source for information on just about anything in the area.
Sun)
Offers both self- service (S10 per load, wash and dry, soap included) and drop-off
laundry (S12 per load).
Main post office
(Centro Cívico)
Policía de Turismo
( 23-4714, 21-9851; Ferrocarril 580)
Can help with tourist in-
formation, as well as with emergencies.
4-7:30pm Mon-Fri)
Located upstairs in the indoor crafts market with limited information.
RÍO MANTARO VALLEY VILLAGES
Two main road systems link Huancayo with the villages of the Río Mantaro valley:
izquierda
(left) is the east and
derecha
(right) is the west side of the river, as you head into Huancayo from the north. It is best to confine your
sightseeing on any given day to one side or the other; few bridges link the two sides.
Perhaps the most interesting excursion on the east side is a visit to the twin villages of
Cochas Grande
and
Cochas Chico
, about 11km from Huancayo. These villages are the major production centers for the incised
gourds that have made the district famous. Oddly enough, the gourds are grown mainly on the coast, in the
Chiclayo and Ica areas. Once transported into the highlands, they are dried and scorched, then decorated using
woodworking tools. Gourd carving can be seen at various houses in the village.
On the west side, the town of
Chupaca
has an interesting livestock market. Starting early, you can visit and
continue by bus to
Ahuac
, then hike a further 1km up to
Laguna Ñahuimpuquio
, which offers restaurants, boat
rides and a cave to explore. From the east shore a path climbs to a ridge for great valley views and the ruins of
Arwaturo
, constructed to maximize illumination by the sun's rays.
Other villages known for their handicrafts include:
San Agustín de Cajas
(wicker furniture);
Hualhuas
(wool
products, including ponchos and weavings); and
San Jerónimo de Tunán
(filigree silverwork).
While most trading is done in Huancayo, the villages are easily visited from the city. They have few facilities
but there is no substitute for the experience of seeing the crafts in the villages themselves. The key is an ability to
speak some Spanish and make friends with the locals.
