The largest city in the Central Andes, Huancayo lies six hours east of Lima along the central highway at 3,250 meters (10,500 ft.) above sea level at the end of the broad Mantaro Valley. The spectacular drive takes you from sea level over Ticlio pass, at 4,815 meters (15,800 ft.) This is ones of Peru’s highest passes and the place where the most UFOs have been spotted in the Americas. The road also cuts through Peru’s largest mines and smelter at La Oroya. Huancayo’s Sundays market is one of Peru’s most popular.

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DAY 1
Depart Lima by private car for a 6 hour drive to Huancayo. On route you can see enormous gorges with deep impressive cuts made by river waters. The road continues on to Ticlio and descends along the banks of the Mantaro River. Afternoon arrival to Huancayo and the rest of the afternoon at leisure in order to get used to the altitude.

DAY 2
AMorning visit to the Sunday typical market, where all products from the area can be found and the best buys are made in the craft sector. Continue your visit to Santa Rosa de Ocopa, a Franciscan monastery 33 km. (21 miles) north of Huancayo, founded in the seventeenth century by Franciscan monks who established missions in the jungle to the east. Its library contains more than 25,000 precious old books. This tour ends with a visit to Ingenio, a famous trout breeding center. (B, L)

DAY 3
Early morning departure to Lima. (B)
* Only Saturday departures.
* Seat-in-bus available with tour restrictions.

Visit Cochas Chicas and Cochas Grandes, picturesque villages and renowned production centers of the most famous engraved gourds of the country, which depict a variety of traditional and modern scenes.
* Daily.