Sánchez Carrión Province offers a range of highlights for a stay: monumental archaeological complexes, historic sites, lagoons and hot springs. The places below show how these interests are reflected in different ways across the province.

Archaeology and History

Marcahuamachuco is a monumental pre-Hispanic archaeological zone in the hamlet of Marcahuamachuco, in the Huamachuco District in the southwest of Sánchez Carrión Province. The complex was built roughly between 350 and 1100 AD and covers around 250 hectares at the summit of the hill of the same name. Its monumental structures are spread across four areas: Cerro del Castillo, Cerro de las Monjas, Cerro de los Corrales and Cerro Viejo. These names help divide the extensive complex into distinct areas.

Wiracochapampa offers a different historical perspective: it is an archaeological heritage site in Sánchez Carrión Province. It was built around 650–700 AD; its design and construction are distinguished by an exceptionally high degree of planning. Cerro Miraflores offers another architectural highlight: two hilltops are crowned by monumental platforms, while concentric rings of walls follow the hill’s topography.

Those wishing to take a closer look at archaeological finds and objects can visit the Museo Municipal Arqueológico Wamachuko, which has two exhibition rooms. Its displays include finds from the Marcahuamachuco complex and other sites in Huamachuco, including ceramics, carved stones and two mummies. In this way, the structures and collection pieces offer different ways to explore the region’s past.

Huamachuco’s townscape also contains historical landmarks. Plaza Mayor Huamachuco was built over the Inca plaza. Construction of the Capilla o Ermita de San José began around 1560 on the site of an Inca administrative center. The Pampas de Purrumpampa are listed as immovable cultural heritage and as an area of historical and monumental value. On July 10, 1823, a battle took place there between Peruvian and Chilean troops.

Lagoons and Trails

Outdoor activities also vary from place to place. Laguna Cushuro is suitable for camping, hiking and climbing. Laguna Sausacocha is navigable by small boats and is used for fish farming; its shores are also home to habitats for wild ducks and totora reeds. So outdoor activities take center stage at Cushuro, while Sausacocha is also shaped by the use of the lake and its shoreline habitats.

A viewpoint overlooking Laguna Sausacocha can be reached after a walk of about 15 minutes and is located at an altitude of 3,230 meters. The walking time is a guide; check trail conditions before setting out. Another way to take in both the landscape and its cultural history is La Escalerilla: this roughly seven-kilometer section of the Qhapaq Ñan includes stone steps on the slopes of Huaylillas and is shared by Sánchez Carrión Province and Santiago de Chuco.

Festivals and Hot Springs

In Huamachuco, the Danza Los Incas is performed on August 14 and 15 during the patron saint festival in honor of the Virgen de Alta Gracia. This cultural expression was recognized as national intangible cultural heritage on August 15, 2014. The Festival del Chaccu is also worth noting in August: it takes place on the first Saturday of the month at the Vicuña Reserve on the shore of Laguna Cushuro. Check the current festival schedule when planning your trip.

For June 29, Huamachuco’s tourism calendar lists the La Trucha de Oro gastronomic festival. If you want to plan your trip around this date, check the program for your travel year. The festival dates mentioned here can therefore serve as planning guides without implying that an event is scheduled for the current year.

In Curgos, El Edén has iron-rich medicinal springs, private pools, a swimming pool and private bathrooms. As facilities can change, check their current status before visiting. The Yanazara hot springs reach 40°C. They are said to have medicinal uses, particularly for treating rheumatism. These two thermal destinations add a distinct focus alongside the archaeological and landscape highlights.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Huamachuco, Ciudad De Dios, Trujillo Province.

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