Huancavelica: Semana Santa, Sacsamarca and Lagoons

Processions and flower displays along the procession routes define Semana Santa in the city of Huancavelica. Its religious character brings together Andean and Catholic elements; the festival involves a significant proportion of the population of the district, province and Department of Huancavelica. On October 25, 2013, Semana Santa was declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation of Peru.

Semana Santa and Cultural Traditions

Another city tradition is the Baile de los Negritos. A comparsa of 20 pairs makes its way along the main streets, led by Waqrasenqa and María Rosa. The Feria de Semana Santa, held on Sábado de Gloria, features the sale of traditional foods and handicrafts. If you want to plan your trip around these festival days, check the specific dates in advance, as the exact program may vary.

Sacsamarca: Cultural Heritage and Festive Cuisine

In Sacsamarca, the main square and the stone bridge are recognized as Cultural Heritage of the Nation of Peru. The individual recognitions date to different days: the main square was recognized on February 28, 2003, the monumental urban area on January 28, 2005, and the stone bridge on February 28, 2002. This makes it possible to associate the three dates with the respective features of the town. Sacsamarca is also part of the Azogue, or Santa Bárbara, tourist circuit.

The directions can also help with trip planning: from Huancavelica’s main square, you can reach Sacsamarca on foot via a 4-kilometer mule path in about 40 minutes. This is an approximate travel time for the route. During village festivals, Sacsamarca serves Picante de Papa, wheat, grilled trout, chicharrones, mondongo and peanuts. Chicha de Jora and refreshments made with airampo and tumbo are also consumed or sold.

Lagoon Route and Wildlife

Laguna de Pultocc is part of the tourist route of the Mirror Lagoons. Wetlands along its shores are home to huallatas, wild ducks and ujujuy; there are also numerous alpacas and llamas. Rock overhangs in the surrounding area provide habitat for vizcachas. The combination of lakeside scenery and wildlife offers a different focus from the activities available at other lagoons in the region.

Laguna Orccococha is part of the Ruta de los Espejos circuit, which connects it with, among other places, the Choclococha and Pultocc lagoons. Boat rides and trout fishing are available at Orccococha. Boat rides are also available at Laguna de Choclococha. The Choclococha community sells handicrafts there; trout have also been raised in floating cages for two decades. This allows you to distinguish between lakeside scenery and wildlife viewing at Pultocc and the boating and fishing activities at Orccococha and Choclococha.

Rock Formations and Archaeological Traces

East of the city of Huancavelica lies the Bosque de Piedras Cceroncancha, between Centro Poblado Sachapite and the Chacarilla community. The area is in the Suni region at an altitude of 4,030 meters and covers 15 hectares. Solidified volcanic tuff formations include figures known as the Fist, Couple, Turtle, Nun, Llama and Tourist. These specific names give the rocky landscape its distinctive character.

The Uchkus Inkañan archaeological complex was a ceremonial center dependent on the Chavinoid administrative center of Atalla. At the Museo Regional Daniel Hernández Morillo, an archaeological gallery features ceramic and textile objects from the Middle and Late Horizon periods. While Uchkus Inkañan is associated with its historical role as a ceremonial center, the museum gallery brings material evidence from these two periods into focus.

Discover more destinations: Huancavelica, Pampas, Tacna, Lambayeque, Ancash, Amazonas, Tumbes, Coronel Portillo.

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