Tarma



Tarma is a town in Southern Sierra (more specifically, in the province of Tarma, in the department of Junin), Peru. Also known as Santa Ana de la Ribera de Tarma, the Pearl of the Andes and the City of Flowers.

Understand
A little over 3000 meters above sea level, Tarma has a lot to offer, ruins, caves, waterfalls and just a short distance to Jungle.

This page covers the town of Tarma and the surrounding towns in the province of the same name (Tarma). Tarma is the largest town in the province, however many of the smaller towns have facilities such as hostels and banks.

Towns in the province of Tarma;

Tarma, Huaricolca, Leticia, Acobamba, Palcamayo, San Pedro de Cajas, Huasahuasi, Palca, Tapo.

Bus

 * Huancayo: 3 hours
 * La Oroya: 58 km southwest of Tarma
 * Lima: bus 6 hours S/25, minivan 5 hours S/40

Trek

 * Go for a walk on the Camino del Inca. You can reach it directly from Tarma or Huasqui, until Tarmatambo. From there, cross the valley and go up to the crest to come back to Tarma, passing the cemetery. If you don't have time, reach the road and come back by collectivo.
 * Go to Palcamayo (S/3.5, 45 min). Then to Gruta de Huagapo (cave, S/1 until the entrance and more to enter) by foot (45 min) or by car. 500m after the cave, a path on the right canon de Ushpo or valley of mystery and esoterism... A very nice walk through the rocks (30 min). You can come back the same way (easier), or turn right at the end, on a little path going up. You'll go very high and have nice views. It's not easy to find a path, try to stay high and you'll see it leading to the village (2-3 hr). Be careful, the last cars leave at 18:00 or 18:30.
 * Go to Palcamayo (S/3.5, 45 min). Then to Gruta de Huagapo (cave, S/1 until the entrance and more to enter) by foot (45 min) or by car. 500m after the cave, a path on the right canon de Ushpo or valley of mystery and esoterism... A very nice walk through the rocks (30 min). You can come back the same way (easier), or turn right at the end, on a little path going up. You'll go very high and have nice views. It's not easy to find a path, try to stay high and you'll see it leading to the village (2-3 hr). Be careful, the last cars leave at 18:00 or 18:30.

Eat

 * Try the little cakes (S/1) of Panaderia Bahamas (Jr Huanuco, near from the market)
 * Have a meal in the market Asuncion (S/3)
 * Try the little cakes (S/1) of Panaderia Bahamas (Jr Huanuco, near from the market)
 * Have a meal in the market Asuncion (S/3)
 * Try the little cakes (S/1) of Panaderia Bahamas (Jr Huanuco, near from the market)
 * Have a meal in the market Asuncion (S/3)
 * Have a meal in the market Asuncion (S/3)

Typical dishes

 * Pachamanca earth oven baked meat and vegies.
 * Picante de Cuy spicy Guinea Pig.
 * Trucha Trout.

Typical drinks

 * Chicha de Jora
 * Calientito hot tea with lemon and chacta (cane liquor).

Go next

 * Junin: Take the road about 75 km north west from Tarma, ascending around 1000 meters, passing Gruta de Huagapo on the way to Junin.
 * La Merced (1hr 30min, S/7): Really amazing, the jungle in one hour!
 * Oxapampa
 * Pichanaki
 * San Ramon (Peru): Take the road about 66 km north east from Tarma, descending over 2000 meters into the jungle, passing magnificent waterfalls on the way to San Ramon. San Ramon has an airstrip.