The Central Highlands Feature

Ayacucho is surrounded by archaeological ruins and natural wonders, all of which can be viewed on a package tour. Morochucos Travel Services has city excursions and routes to Huari, Quinua, Valle Huanta and Vilcashhuamán.

Around Huancayo you can hike, bike, and explore local villages with the amazing Incas del Perú, which also has a Spanish-language school, book exchange, and folk-art collection. They will also arrange volunteering and hiking throughout the Manataro Valley and high jungle, as well as music, cooking, weaving, and gourd-carving workshops. Murakami Tours and Wanka Tours are among the better options from the numerous package-tour offices in town. Dargui Tours offers multiday tours of the region, with a focus on the archaeological ruins around Huancayo.

Max Adventures in Tarma has several tour packages, local maps, and information.

Contacts

Dargui Tours (Jr. Ancash 367, Ayacucho. 064/238-100. www.darguitours.com.)

Incas del Perú (Giráldez 652, Huancayo. 064/223-303. www.incasdelperu.com.)

Max Adventures (2 de Mayo 684, Tarma. 064/323-908.)

A&R Tours (9 de Diciembre 130, Ayacucho. 066/311-300.)

Perú Latino Travel Agency (Lima 320, Tarma. 064/321-725.)