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Inhabitants: 40,000
How to get there
Daily bus connections to and from Lima as well as departures to Huancayo every
hour.
Best time to travel
Average temperatures in Tarma lie around 26° C. During the day
temperatures rise up very high, whereas during the night the air
cools down very low. The rainy season starts in December and ends
in March.
Festivals
For the citizens the Easter Season is one of the most important
events of the year. Besides this feast they celebrate the Fiesta
de las Cruces in May.
Tarma Town
Since colonial times, this town in
the department Junín with its colonial style (also known as the "Pearl of the
Andes") has been the most important station on the way from
the selva to the capital Lima. Tarma was founded in 1545 and is
situated on 3000 m altitude. The town with its bright blue sky and
its rich vegetation is a main agricultural area, growing flowers and vegetables
which are sold later on the markets of the capital. This is the
reason for the town's second nickname, "Town of flowers".
Furthermore the city's face is characterised by the numerous eucalyptus
trees that grow here.
The citizens are very fond of their traditions including the catholic
faith and therefore the most important events in town are connected
with religious festivities. During the Semana Santa (Holy Week)
the whole town surges with the famous Easter Sunday
procession.
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Muruhuay
This modern pilgrimage church is situated about 10 km away from
Tarma in Acobamba. During the Holy Week (Semana Santa) beautiful
flower carpets are carried through the alleys of the city. The village
is constructed in rectangle pattern and the traditional houses along
the straight streets are red tiled. When taking a walk through the
narrow alleys, the nice ornaments of the facades and wooden balconies
will attract your attention. Each year the Santuario del Señor
de Muruhuay is honored with extended festivities. The church has
been built around a piece of rock that is said to once have shown
Jesus' face.
Cueva de Huagapo
Situated about 30 km away from Tarma and covering a territory of
1600 m length, this cave is a real treasure for cave enthusiasts. Some
spots are as high as 30 metres and its interior bears stalagtites
and stalagmites. The river that flows inside the cave has carved
various bizarre figures into the stone. In order to visit the backpart
of the cave you can engage one of the guides waiting at the entrance
and equipped with rope and light they will lead you to the hidden
parts that are definitely worth seeing. This adventure though is
only for the brave traveller since the path narrowly winds next
to steep precipices.
San Pedro de Cajas
San Pedro town is famous for the inhabitants' skill for handicraft
artwork. They make colourful rugs from wool that is dyed with natural
colours, shining with
bright colours in various different traditional patterns.
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Destinations in the central highlands.
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