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TOURIST INFORMATION
HUANUCO |
| GENERAL DATA |
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Location:
The department of Huánuco is situated in Peru’s
central highlands
Area:
36 886,74 km2
Capital:
Huánuco
Altitude:
1 912 m.a.s.l.
Average
annual temperature: 22º C ( 24º C maximum,
18º C minimum). Rainy season runs from December through
March. |
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| ACCESS ROUTES |
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By land:
The most advisable road is the Lima-La Oroya-Huánuco
highway (410 km), about 8 h by car.
By
air: Irregular service. Flying time is approximately
45 minutes. |
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| HISTORICAL OVERLOOK |
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This department contains traces of the most
ancient human occupation in Peru, the Lauricocha people,
dating back some 10 000 years. Subsequently, discoveries
were made in Kotosh, where the so-called Temple of the
Crossed Hands was found, considered to be the oldest in
America (2 000 BC to 200 AD).
This area was populated by different ethnic groups who,
despite their resistance, were incorporated into the Inca
empire to become Huanuco, an inevitable thoroughfare for
anyone traveling from Cusco to Cajamarca or vice-versa.
The Huanuco Pampa or Huanuco Marka citadel is evidence
of this movement.
The Spaniards founded Huanuco in the famous Inca area
of Yarowilca (now the province of Dos de Mayo) in 1 539.
It was then transferred to its current location in the
Pillco valley in 1 541. A busy cultural town during the
colonial period, it was home to important authors like
Amarilis and Diego de Ojeda who were descendants of Spanish
celebrities during the conquest. During the emancipation
period, Huanuco was one of the first cities to promote
the independence of Peru early in the seventeenth century.
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| ATTRACTIONS IN THE CITY OF HUANUCO |
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Plaza de Armas
– Main Square
Located in the town center, it was built in 1 845, with
a stone fountain in the middle made of a single piece
of granite rising 4m above its base.
The
Cathedral
Jr. Dámaso Beraún 701.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 8:00-20:00.
It houses a collection of anonymous paintings of the Cusco
School.
San Francisco Church
Jr. Damaso Beraúnm block 4
Visits: Monday to Sunday 6:00-10:00 and 17:00-20:00.
Built in the XVI century, it belongs to the Franciscan
Order. It contains beautiful altars adorned with gold
leaf.
Cristo Rey Church
Jr. Dos de Mayo 899, Santo Domingo Square.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 6:00-10:00 and 17:00-20:00.
Rebuilt in 1 824, its main altar is covered in gold plate.
San Sebastián Church
Jr. Dos de Mayo block. 1, San Sebastián Square.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 6:00-9:00 and 17:00.
This seventeenth century church is situated at the entrance
to the town. It contains the image of San Sebastian with
smallpox scars all over its body.
La
Merced Church
Jr. Hermilio Valdizán block 4.
Visits: 6:00-10:00 and 17:00-20:00.
Built in the middle of the sixteenth century, it contains
the image of the Spanish Virgin of Las Mercedes, a gift
from Emperor Charles V.
San
Cristóbal Church
Corner of Jr. San Cristóbal and Jr. Damaso Beraún,
in the San Cristóbal Square.
Visits: during Mass hours.
This was the first temple built upon the arrival of the
Spaniards. It contains very ancient carved wooden relics,
such as Our Lady of Ascension, St. Augustine and Our Lady
of Sorrows.
Natural
Science Museum
Jr. General Prado 499.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 8:00-12:00 and 15:00-19:00.
More than 10 000 pieces on display, including stuffed
animals and pottery of different cultures, as well as
Huanuco and Paracas mummies. |
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| OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITYr |
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Andabamba
A farmhouse situated in the middle of the countryside
8 km south of Huanuco, about 10 minutes by car. Initially
inhabited by the Franciscan Order, it subsequently became
the property of the Durand family. It is currently managed
by the Vichaycoto Cooperative.
Quicacán
This enormous old house is situated 16 km from the city,
about 20 minutes away by car. It was the site of the
Confined Convent of the Mercedaria Order. The beautiful
arches of its colonial architecture blend with the surrounding
landscape.
Tomayquichua
This is a peasant settlement situated 18 km from Huanuco,
about 25 minutes away by car, with old houses, wide
patios, narrow streets and picturesque landscapes. It
was a favorite spot of Micaela Villegas La Perricholi
as well as of author Enrique Lopez Albujar, whose work
El Hechizo de Tomayquichua was inspired by this town.
Huácar
Situated 5 km west of Ambo and 29 km from Huanuco, about
35 minutes by car. The Church of St. Michael Archangel
located here is one of the first churches built in Huanuco.
TINGO MARIA
The capital of the Leoncio Prado province (660 m.a.s.l.),
situated on the shores of the Huallaga river, some 135
km from Huanuco, approximately 2 h by car.
Bella Durmiente (Sleeping
Beauty)
This is a mountain range situated southeast of Tingo
Maria. It is the most important natural monument in
the province, resembling the profile of a woman lying
asleep on her back, eternally at rest.
Cueva de las Lechuzas
Situated in the foothills of the Sleeping Beauty mountain
range 6 km from Tingo Maria, about 15 minutes by car,
is a gigantic limey stone grotto that houses an important
colony of well-known birds, including guacharos or santanas
(similar to owls), parrots, swallows and bats.
Cueva de las Pavas
Situated 15 km from Tingo Maria, about 10 minutes by
car, in the last section of a deep and narrow gorge
where a small stream flows, forming beaches and pools
surrounded by thick vegetation. In one of the pools
there is a natural formation depicting a beautiful woman
named The Water Goddess.
Kotosh
Over 4 000 years old and situated 5 km from Huanuco,
about 5 minutes by car, is a hillock formed by a group
of structures. Prominent among these is the Temple of
the Crossed Hands, the first sculpture in America molded
underneath one of the niches that surround the room.
Huánuco-Pampa Archaeological
Complex
Located in the La Union district, Dos de Mayo province
(3 736 m.a.s.l.), 144 km from the city of Huanuco, about
5 hours by car. This archaeological complex founded
by Inca Tupac Yupanqui, consists of 3 500 Inca buildings
within a 21 km2 area.
Tantamayo
Situated 158 km northwest of the city of Huanuco, at
an altitude of 3 500 m.a.s.l. It contains a Pre-Inca
archaeological complex known as The Skyscrapers of America,
since the buildings are five stories tall. It is considered
to be the most populated settlement of the Pre-Inca
period and consists of groups of residential, administrative-religious
and fortress type buildings.
Garu
This is one of the most important archaeological sites
in the Alto Marañon, located 73 km from the city
of Huanuco, about 2 ½ h by car. It may have been
the political-administrative seat of the Ayllus and
the southern territories of the Yaro or Yarowilca Empire.
Tauripampa Thermal Baths
Situated 2 km south of La Union, known as the Inca Baths,
is a 10 m deep tunnel from which thermal-mineral medicinal
waters flow, which are used for sauna baths and to treat
rheumatism.
Conoc Thermal Baths
The thermal-mineral medicinal waters in the district
of Ripan, Dos de Mayo province, 2 km from the city,
are recommended for the treatment of rheumatism and
skin diseases. There are two pools, bathtubs and a room
with a tunnel which is a natural sauna.
Baños Thermal Baths
The famous Inca Swimming Pools are located in the Baños
district, Lauricocha province, 116 km southwest of Huanuco.
There are two pools with steps and hot and cold water
canals, where the Incas and the nobility took their
baths when they traveled to Cusco, Huanuco, Marka, Cajamarca
and Quito. |
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| FOLKLORE |
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| Characteristic of this area are the lively
and varied dances, including the cashua, huayno, muliza,
chimayche, tuy tuy, pallas, auga, huanca, tucuman, inca,
mama rayhuana, ruco, changanaqui, chuncho, tranzada and
jijahuancas. The dance of the Negritos takes place between
December 25th and January 18th, a reminder of the slaves’
pursuit of freedom during colonial times. |
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| HANDICRAFTS |
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| Huanuco craftsmen are known for their silver,
basketwork (baskets, cane furniture), embroidery with
regional themes (tablecloths), masks, pottery and carved
bull horns. |
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| GASTRONOMY |
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| Typical dishes: |
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Locro de gallina (Chicken stew with
potatoes, onions and hot chili peppers). |
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Picante de cuy ( Guinea pig stew cooked in a peanut
and red pepper sauce). |
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Pachamanca (various types of meat, potatoes and
corn, covered with aromatic herbs and cooked underground
between hot stones, in pre-Hispanic style). |
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Tacacho con cecina (Roasted or fried banana, mashed
with lard and dried meat). |
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Juane (Mushy rice cooked with Peruvian saffron
and chunks of chicken wrapped and cooked in bijao
leaves). |
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Picuro roast (a very tasty Amazon rodent) |
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Inchicapi (Chicken soup cooked with peanuts, coriander
and cassava). |
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Chifles (Freíd banana chips). |
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| Typical desserts are sweets made of cheese
or potatoes, honeyed donuts, etc.
Traditional beverages are different kinds of Chicha,
made of fermented corn, pepper or peanuts, cane based
liquors, Masato (boiled cassava crushed and fermented
with sweet potatoes or sugar), “aguajina”
(a delicious refreshment). |
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| FESTIVITIES |
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Perricholi Festival
(July)
This festival is the framework for various activities,
including excursions to tourist and archaeological sites,
painting competitions, photograph and video exhibitions,
presentations of folk music groups and bands from the
region.
Huanuco Anniversary
(August)
The activities of this festival take place between August
12th and 17th and include an agricultural, industrial
and artisan fair and the presentation of folk music groups
and bands on a national scale. Also, photograph and video
exhibitions, excursions to the main regional attractions.
Señor de Burgos
Festival (October)
Religious, cultural, tourist and artistic activities,
paying homage to the Lord of Burgos, King and Patron of
the city of Huanuco. |
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| SERVICES |
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Airport
Huánuco
David Figueroa Fernandini Airport
Huánuco-Airport Highway, km. 6.
Phone: (064) 51-3066.
Land Transport
Huánuco
The majority of transport companies line up on the following
streets:
Jr. San Martín block. 5, Jr. Abtao blocks 6-8,
Jr. Tarapacá blocks . 3-5.
Health Centers
Huánuco
Regional Hospital
Jr. Hermilio Valdizan 910.
Phone: (064) 51-2400.
24 hour service
Police Stations
Huánuco
National Police Force Headquarters
Jr. Constitución 601.
Phone: (064) 51-3400.
24 hour service
Huanuco Police Station
Jr. Constitución 621.
24 hour service
Handicrafts Markets
Huánuco
Although there are no artisan markets, handicrafts may
be found on blocks 7 and 8 of Jr. General Prado blocks.
Post Office
Huánuco
Calle 2 de Mayo 1157.
Phone: (064) 51-2503.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00, Sunday 8:00-12:00.
Tingo María
Av. Alameda Perú 451.
Phone: (064) 56-2100.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00. |
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