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Chanchamayo: Coffee Capital of Peru

Posted On: 17 June 2024 #TierrasVivas 1027

Chanchamayo, “Coffee Capital of Peru”, belongs to the Junín region. It was created as a province on September 24, 1977, the date on which the patron saint festival is also celebrated every year in honor of the Virgin of Las Mercedes.

Dream place, ideal for adventure and nature tourism. It has the city of Chanchamayo (La Merced) as its political capital. It produces the most aromatic coffee and the sweetest citrus.

Political and Geographic Location

The Province of Chanchamayo, in the Department of Junín, is located between the geographical coordinates of 11º03'00'' South Latitude and 75º18'15'' West Longitude. The capital of the Province, Chanchamayo, was created by Law s/n dated December 31, 1855; having previously belonged to the Province of Tarma. Later, the District of Chanchamayo was elevated to the level of Province by D.L. 21941 of September 24, 1977 with its provincial capital the city of La Merced and its districts of: Vitoc, San Luís de Shuaro, Perené, San Ramón and Pichanaki.

Extension, Altitude

The Province of Chanchamayo has a territorial area of ​​4,723.40 Km2, which is equivalent to 10.69% of the total surface area of ​​the Department of Junín. It is located between the parallels 75º 40' and 74º 35' of LS and 11º 21' and 11º 21' LO. The altitude of the province varies from 700 to 1,930 meters above sea level. The district capital is located at 751 meters above sea level, which has a population density of 27.8 inhabitants/Km2.

Climate

The Province of Chanchamayo, being part of the Amazon, has a tropical climate, that is; hot, humid and rainy. The average annual temperature throughout the Province is 18 degrees Celsius, reaching 30°C. Winter is from January to March, a time when the temperature drops to 15° and greater rainfall occurs, reaching 2,000 m.m.

30°C

Temp. max. half

18°C

Temp. min. half

Altitude

751 meters above sea level Main square Chanchamayo (La Merced)

Geography

The province of Chanchamayo, created as a province on September 24, 1977, is located 303 kilometers northeast of the city of Lima, capital of Peru, and 173 kilometers north of the city of Huancayo, capital of the department of Junín, in the low foothills of the eastern slope of the Andes Mountains and 751 meters above sea level. It presents a narrow Andean framework that surrounds the high jungle and encompasses the basins of the Bajo Tulumayo, Chanchamayo and Perené rivers.

History

Chanchamayo was initially created as a district of the province of Tarma, on December 31, 1855. It remained in that condition until September 24, 1977 when it was elevated to the category of province made up of the districts Chanchamayo, Vítoc, San Luis de Shuaro , San Ramón and Pichanaqui. On January 15, 1986, the Perené district was created, increasing its districts to six, which in turn are made up of 480 population centers, where a total of around 270 thousand inhabitants live. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI), 56.9% of the population of Chanchamayo lives in the urban area and 43.1% in the rural area.

The capital of the province of Chanchamayo is the city of La Merced, founded on September 24, 1869 by Colonel José Manuel Pereira.

The celebration of its 46th anniversary of provincial creation and the 154th anniversary of the founding of the city of La Merced constitute an excellent opportunity to visit this captivating destination in the central Peruvian jungle and live an unforgettable travel experience.

Tourism

Considered a branch of paradise for its exuberant landscape beauty and unique biodiversity, and justly distinguished as the “Coffee Capital of Peru” for the notable quality, variety and production of this emblematic crop of Peru, Chanchamayo celebrates its 46th anniversary of creation as a province Amazon region of the Junín region and the 154th anniversary of the founding of its capital, the city of La Merced.

Tourist attractions of Chanchamayo

Next, learn about some of the main tourist attractions in the province of Chanchamayo.

Tyrol Waterfall

It is one of the most visited by tourists who travel to the province of Chanchamayo. It is 30 meters high and to reach this dazzling waterfall requires a 45-minute walk along a path full of scenic beauty.

Three Queens Waterfall

It receives this name because it is made up of 3 waterfalls: La Niña, La Pinta and Santa María. It is located about 30 minutes from the city of La Merced and after crossing the Kimiri suspension bridge, over the Chanchamayo River.

El Tigre Waterfall

The waterfall, also known as Tigre Paccha, originates from a drop in the Santa Bibiana River. The waterfall has a height of 30 meters divided into six small waterfalls along its path.

Waterfall Bridal veil

The waterfall, located in the province of Chanchamayo, is formed by a waterfall approximately 55 meters high and 30 meters wide at the base.

Bayoz Waterfall

It is a magnificent waterfall that is born from the waters of the Bayoz River and is located 30 kilometers from the Perené district. This impressive 60-meter-high waterfall is very frequented by travelers who have the central jungle of Peru as their vacation destination. This paradisiacal place also offers surroundings full of greenery and undulating paths that invite you to connect with nature.

Waterfalls of the San Isidro Farm

Crystal clear and calm water falls located within the San Isidro Farm, 35 minutes from the town of Yurinaki, in the district of Perené, province of Chanchamayo.

Don Bosco Lagoon

This body of water comes from a natural stream and measures approximately 120 meters long by 50 meters wide, with a depth of 5 meters. Its greenish waters form a unique combination with nature. In the central part its temperature is 19°C. It is not suitable for bathing, but it is suitable for fishing since tropical fish such as paiche, tilapia and paco abound.

Palmapata natural pool

It is an incredible spring of crystalline waters that come from inside a hill adjacent to the Palmapata annex, so its temperature is remarkably cold and perfect for dissipating the suffocating heat of the jungle. This natural pool gives the sensation of a giant mirror, and the clarity with which the stones inside are seen surprises tourists. In addition, it is surrounded by exotic plants and lots of vegetation.

El Perezoso Botanical Garden

It is a private property belonging to the Salvatierra family for 50 years. It is located in the district of Chanchamayo and province of the same name. It has an area of ​​5 hectares and shows the biodiversity of the region.

Bajo Kimiriki Native Community

Its inhabitants are from the Asháninka ethnic group, who are dedicated to agriculture and the crafts of weaving with coconut palm leaves, as well as the production of handbags, mats and various ornaments.

Pampa Michi Native Community

It is a small Asháninka community located in the district of Chanchamayo and is home to a group of 25 families who have equipped typical houses in which they sell crafts such as necklaces, bags, bracelets, necklaces, cushmas or typical clothing, crowns, bows and arrows, as well as food and drinks.

Marankiari Native Community

It is a local Ashéninka indigenous organization and belongs to the Arawak linguistic family. It is located in the district of Perené, at Kilometer 26 of the Presidente Fernando Belaúnde Terry Highway.

Typical gastronomy

The typical dishes of the province of Chanchamayo are the asado de Samaño or chancho del monte, which is a stew served with parboiled yucas and sarsa criolla. Also notable are stews based on maidenhead, an Amazonian fish that is characterized by having abundant meat and few bones. It is ideal for various preparations such as pork rinds, ceviche, fried steak, among others.

Tacacho with cured meat is another of the emblematic delicacies, not only of Chanchamayo but of the entire Amazon. It is prepared with fried, seasoned and kneaded green plantains in the shape of a circumference that is accompanied by a filet of beef jerky that can be beef, pork, majaz or venison. Another dish that identifies Chanchamayo is the deer steak, which is a fried fillet of meat from this wild animal that is accompanied with parboiled or golden yucas and sarsa criolla.

Among the traditional drinks, masato stands out, obtained from the fermentation of cassava; the aguaje soft drink and other tropical fruits such as cocona, passion fruit, papaya, among others.

Coffee capital of Peru

Chanchamayo has rightly earned recognition as the “Coffee Capital of Peru” due to its notable production of this flagship crop of Peru and one of its main export products to the world.

Chanchamayo produces special coffees that are organic and the most aromatic in Peru, winners of various international competitions. The certification mark “Chanchamayo, coffee capital of Peru”, was registered in Indecopi in July 2021 and since then producers in said town can use it to distinguish themselves from other producing areas of our country.

How to get to Chanchamayo from Lima?

By land, through the central highway, it takes around eight hours by bus.

By air, there are daily flights to Jauja airport, a journey that lasts around an hour. Then you have to travel another three hours by car to the city of La Merced.

Best Trekking and Tours in Peru

Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Peru, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.

If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.

Edwin Caviedes Profesional guide

Edwin Caviedes is the founder and manager of Tierras Vivas, a company that benefits native people communities.