Yungay: Memorial Sites, Festivals and Nature Destinations

In Yungay, your stay is shaped by remembrance of the 1970 earthquake and avalanche, regional events, and nearby nature destinations. If you would like to plan your trip around a festival, May 31 and the usually last week of July are important dates to keep in mind. For outdoor activities, Cerro Pan de Azúcar and Laguna Chinancocha offer different options.

Memorial Sites and Remembrance

Every year on May 31, Yungay commemorates the victims and missing persons of the 1970 earthquake and avalanche. The memorial service includes a pilgrimage that begins at the Plaza de Armas in Yungay and continues to the Campo Santo. The date and route give the event a clear framework: the route connects the central square with the Campo Santo.

Another landmark is the Capilla María Auxiliadora in Cochahuain near Yungay, about one kilometer from the Plaza de Armas. It was built between 2003 and 2006 with the support of people from Yungay and Shilla, in memory of the nine people who survived the earthquake and avalanche of May 31, 1970. The chapel houses workshops run by Yungay artisans, as well as a permanent exhibition of ornate furniture, religious art, wood sculptures, and oil paintings.

Events in May and July

Alongside the pilgrimage, the May 31 memorial service includes a regional food and handicrafts fair. The specific program may vary. The Semana Turística de Yungay is usually held in the last week of July and has a different focus: its food fair offers traditional dishes made with guinea pig, chocho, and bread. The event concludes with a music festival at the Plaza de Armas and folkloric dances from Yungay Province. These two dates can help you plan your trip around the occasion you are interested in. If you are traveling specifically for one of the festivals, check the exact dates and program details before your trip.

Trails, History, and Nature

Cerro Pan de Azúcar near Punyan is close to Yungay and is a historic site of the Battle of January 20, 1839, which brought an end to the Peru-Bolivian Confederation. From the Plazuela de Punyan, a 1.28-kilometer footpath leads to the hill. Allow about 40 minutes for the walk; trail conditions may change.

East of the city, Laguna Chinancocha lies at an altitude of 3,850 meters within Huascarán National Park. In the tourist-use zone, you can go boating or walk along the shore on an interpretive trail to the other lagoon. Conditions and services may change; check the current situation before your visit. Hiking and trekking are other ways to explore Yungay's landscapes and natural surroundings. Mountain biking routes are also available to local points of interest, including landscapes near the Campo Santo and Cueva de los Guitarreros.

Getting There and Routes to the Campo Santo

Overland routes to Yungay run from Lima via Pativilca and Huaraz, from Huaraz, and from Santa via Huallanca and Caraz. Flying from Lima to Anta is another travel option; from Anta, you can reach Yungay by taxi or shared minibus in about 30 to 45 minutes. Check flight connections and road conditions for your travel date.

Travel times within Yungay also vary depending on how you get around. From the Plaza de Armas, you can reach the Campo Santo along a paved route in about three minutes by mototaxi, about two minutes by private car, or around 20 minutes on foot. These times are estimates and make it easy to compare the three options.

Discover more destinations: Carhuaz, San Juan District, Buena Vista, Caraz, Chavin de Huantar, Yanama District, Mancos, Huari.

For the broader travel overview: Ancash.