Perou Decouverte
Perou Decouverte
Do you dream of an authentic journey to the heart of the Peruvian Andes? The local agency Cielo Azul, specialist in solidarity and experiential tourism in Huancavelica, has designed this 5-day circuit for visitors of Pérou Découverte. Based at Jr. Manuel Asencio Segura, on the Plaza de Armas (meeting point) in Huancavelica – Peru, this committed agency welcomes you to prepare your adventure with complete confidence. It perfectly reflects the unique experiences the region offers: emerald-colored lagoons, turquoise river, sacred mountains, and encounters with Andean communities.
The program includes: exploration of the Santa Bárbara mine and the Huancavelica natural viewpoint, discovery of the Espejo de lagunas (Pultoq, Chocloccocha, Orcoccocha) where flamingos and the snow-capped peaks of Wamanrazu are reflected in crystal-clear water, then adventure along the Río Vilca, the longest turquoise river in Peru, perfect for canoeing and swimming. You will also experience strong cultural moments: ghost villages, Ayhuicha hot springs, and participation in the ancestral ritual of herranza (cattle marking) alongside the locals.
This circuit is an invitation to discover Huancavelica differently, by supporting responsible and community-based tourism. Accompanied by passionate local guides – and by Bobby, the agency's guide dog – you will enjoy a total immersion, respectful of traditions and the environment. A human and scenic adventure that will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Your adventure begins with a welcome upon your bus arrival in Huancavelica and transfer to your hotel (2-star included). The morning is dedicated to the city tour of Huancavelica:
In the afternoon, discover the Stone City of Saccsamarca, a site with impressive rock formations, then the emblematic Santa Bárbara mine, a former colonial-era mercury mine. The day ends at the Huancavelica natural viewpoint for a panoramic view of the region. Return to the hotel for the night.
Early departure for a circuit dedicated to the emerald-colored lagoons. Along the way, you will admire the sacred mountain Wamanrazu (the "Snow Eagle") and pass through alpaca herding communities where you can observe herds of llamas and alpacas.
The program includes:
Typical lunch included, then return to Huancavelica in the late afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.
This third day is dedicated to discovering the spectacular Río Vilca, considered the longest turquoise river in Peru. Its crystal-clear, warm waters (around 20°C) owe their unique color to minerals. The river stretches for 35 km and invites swimming, canoeing, and trout fishing.
The circuit will take you to:
Note from Cielo Azul agency: "This Río Turquesa circuit is a new experience we are promoting. It is the Río Vilca, located in the districts of Vilca and Moya, considered the longest turquoise river in Peru. Its waters are crystalline, warm, and their characteristic color comes from minerals. It stretches approximately 35 kilometers and is ideal for canoeing, trout fishing, and swimming.
The route begins in the village of Tansiri, where we offer an authentic experiential tourism experience: Andean nooks and herranza andina. The herranza is an ancestral cattle marking ritual where Pachamama and the Apus are honored with songs, music, and colorful ribbons for cattle fertility.
We then visit the village of Manta and its colonial church, arriving at the Ayhuicha (or Awicha) hot springs, a free natural paradise with mineral and medicinal waters around 20°C, surrounded by eucalyptus. Finally, we reach the Warichaca bridge and Turumanya, where you can opt for canoeing."
Return to the hotel for the night.
A unique day to explore the scattered mountains of Huancavelica, each with its own name and identity. Cielo Azul agency, the only one to know some of these peaks, offers a personalized itinerary according to your wishes and the weather. You can notably discover:
Along the way, you will cross varied landscapes: lagoons, ghost villages, and areas of Puya Raimondi, that emblematic plant of the high Andes. You can observe flamingos and wild ducks in the wetlands. Throughout the day, you will be accompanied by Bobby, the agency's guide dog and volunteer, who knows every corner of these mountains.
Note from Cielo Azul agency: "These are 'scattered mountains,' they are not grouped together, but each has its own name. Puka Puncho and 'El Tobogán en el Cielo Azul,' Cerro Bandera and Cerro Apu Antanque, through their great beauty, give color to the mountain, silence becomes light. Snowy mountains: Wamanrazu, Citaq, Condoray, Altar, at over 5,304 m altitude.
This is a new circuit of scattered mountains, as they are located in different points of our province and in the capital of the Huancavelica department. Our proposal consists of choosing a mountain from the presented photograph. During the tour, we will pass through lagoons, ghost towns, and rivers, and we will appreciate the flora and fauna of the area, such as the imposing Puya Raimondi. We don't just offer you to visit a mountain, but to discover various places, including lagoons where you can observe wild birds like flamingos and ducks native to the region.
In addition, you will be accompanied by Bobby, the little tourist guide dog and volunteer of the Cielo Azul agency. We are the only ones who know these mountains and we have given names to some of them, such as 'El Tobogán en el Cielo Azul'."
Overnight at the hotel.
Last day, focused on encounters and cultural immersion. The day alternates between grandiose landscapes, human exchanges, and discovery of ancestral traditions.
Head to Antaccocha, the "Lagoon of Light," for a unique ecological visit. You will enjoy a typical Andean breakfast with a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. A moment of pure serenity.
Visit to the Pukullawa association, which since 2006 has supported around fifty children aged 6 to 17 in situations of poverty. You can interact with them, attend workshops in music, theater, or scissors dance, and receive as a gift a ceramic piece made by the children. A moment of great human richness.
Note from Cielo Azul agency: "The communities of Santa Bárbara and Tansiri are distinct places. We offer an authentic experiential tourism experience, in direct contact with the Andean mountains, such as Cerro Apu Antanque in Tansiri and Cerro Tolaorqo in Santa Bárbara. In these places, we perform an Andean ceremony, then we participate in the Andean herranza with the local inhabitants, who show us their typical clothing.
The herranza is an ancestral cattle marking ritual, where Pachamama and the Apus are honored through songs dedicated to living nature. The music is played with a traditional horn called yugor, and colorful ribbons are placed on the alpacas as a symbol of fertility and prosperity for the livestock.
In addition, you will be accompanied by Bobby, the little tourist guide dog and volunteer of the Cielo Azul agency. We are the only ones who know these mountains and we have given names to some of them, such as 'El Tobogán en el Cielo Azul'."
End of the circuit
This 5-day Huancavelica circuit, offered by the local agency Cielo Azul, provides an authentic immersion in the heart of the Peruvian Andes. Between emerald-colored lagoons, turquoise river, sacred mountains, and encounters with communities, it's the ideal itinerary to discover the essence of this preserved region, far from the beaten path.
Optional service: Cielo Azul agency can purchase your bus tickets for the Huancayo – Huancavelica – Huancayo route or any other destination, upon request. Feel free to contact them to arrange your transportation.
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