Huancayo, Huanuco & La Union

Tuesday 3rd May 2011

Arrived early in the morning to Huancayo and checked into Hotel Los Balcones (45 Sols per night)

Spent the morning sleeping as I got no sleep on the overnight bus last night. Later I took a walk around the town.

Wednesday 4th & Thursday 5th May 2011

Today I walked north out of the city and headed up to Cerro de la Libertad which has a great view over the city.

Later I walked on further to Torre Torre .. which are strange rock formations which look like towers.

There seemed to be loads of street musicians in Huancayo all dressed in colourful costumes. I met some local people on my way back from Torre Torre and I joined them for a few hours drinking beer and taking it easy. Apparantly there are local traditional festivals happening every day and different music bands and communities have their own processions. Was a nice experience to be able to spend some time with these people.

Friday 6th & Saturday 7th May

I decided to head north to a town called ´Cerro de Pasco´ after leaving Huancayo. I arrived into Cerro de Pasco bus station about 19:00 and to be honest the place didnt look like much (as well as it been really cold as we are up in the highlands), so I managed to get a collectivo (shared taxi) which was going to Huanuco (2 hours) so I figured I would keep travelling north.

I arrived to Huanuco late that night and checked into Hotel Sosa (30 Sols per night)

It was Friday night when I arrived to Huanuco and I really wanted to head out on the town but unfortunately I seemed to be the only backpakcer in town. I spent the evening in some local bar on the square chatting away to some locals and later headed out to a local club which seemed pretty good. My Spanish desperately needs to improve before I´m able to hold a conversation with anyone.

Some pictures of Huanuco:

I spent Saturday relaxing in Huanuco and taking photos. I can´t say I done much in this town at all.

Sunday 8th & Monday 9th May

I checked out of Hotel Sosa hoping to travel to further north yo Huaraz but I soon found out there was no transport going directly so my only option was to go to La Union .. another town north of Huanuco and catch another transport from there.

I arrived into La Union after a 3 or 4 hour bus journey and checked into the Gran Hotel Alvardo (10Sols per night).

Some beautiful scenery on the journey from Huanuco to La Union on the bus.

There is really nothing to do or see in La Union .. except for the fact that I appeared to have arrived here in the middle of local processions ... more colourful costumes and music. I also seemed to be the only backpacker in town ... again!

Some photos of La Union:

I only stayed one night in La Union and on Monday morning I caught an afternoon bus to Huaraz .. where I really hope I will meet some more backpackers.