TOURIST INFORMATION
PASCO |
| GENERAL DATA |
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Location: The
department of Pasco is situated in Peru’s central
highlands.
Area:
25 319 km2
Capital:
Cerro de Pasco
Altitude:
4 338 m.a.s.l.
Average
annual temperature: 12,5º C (22º C
maximum, 4º C minimum). Rainy season runs through
October to March. |
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| ACCESS ROUTES |
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| By land:
Lima-Cerro de Pasco (296 km) along the Central Highway
(approximately 8 h by car). |
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| HISTORICAL OVERLOOK |
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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. |
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| ATTRACTIONS IN THE CITY OF PUCALLPA |
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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.
Inmaculada Concepción
de Bicho Church
Main square of the Vicco district
Visits: 9:00-15:00, by permission of the person in charge
Situated 18 km from Cerro de Paso, about 30 minutes by
car, next to the Bicho Square, an architectural complex
built of stone. Its colonial style dates back to the seventeenth
century.
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 m.a.s.l.) 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. |
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| OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST |
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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. |
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| FOLKLORE |
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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. |
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| GASTRONOMY |
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Typical dishes:
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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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Picante de cuy (Guinea pig stew cooked in a peanut
and red pepper sauce). |
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Head Broth (Sheep’s head stock with spearmint
and hot chili peppers). |
Traditional
beverages are maca punch, caliche, chicha de jora,
etc. |
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| FESTIVITIES |
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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). |
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| SERVICES |
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Airport
Landing strip in the Vicco district
Sporadic service.
Land
Transport
Pasco
Relleno de Patarcocha.
Phone: (064) 72-2262.
Oxapampa
Municipal Terminal
Santa Rosa Urbanization
Health
Centers
Daniel Alcides Carrión Hospital
Av. Los Incas s/n San Juan.
Phone: (064) 72-2272 / 72-2108.
24 hour service
Oxapampa Hospital
Jr. Enrique Bottger s/n.
Phone: (064) 76-2022 / 76-2023.
24 hour service.
Pozuzo Health Center
Av. Los Colonos s/n.
24 hour service
Police
Stations
Pasco
National Police Headquarters
Av. Los Próceres s/n.
Phone: (064) 72-2326 / 72-2117.
24 hour service
Oxapampa
National Police Station
Phone: (064)76-2217.
24 hour service
Pozuzo
National Police Station
Main Square.
24 hour service
Handicrafts
Markets
Pasco
Industrial, Agro-industrial, Artisan and Tourist Fair
Edificio estatal 3, San Juan; Organized by DRIT Pasco.
Oxapampa
Artisan, Agricultural and Agro-industrial Fair.
Paseo los Colonos.
Phone: (064) 76-2375.
Post
Office
Jr. 28 de Julio s/n, San Juan.
Pone: (064) 72-2143.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00. |
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