Roaming South America

Huancavelica, Perú

June 22, 2025

I'm in Huancavelica, Perú. This place sits at 3,704 meters (12,093 feet). If I remember correctly, that's a bit higher than the peak of Mt. Hood, Oregon. My brain is suffering, dizzy, mild headache. When I lived in Arequipa, Perú (average 2,328 meters/7,638 feet), I felt this way every day for six months; it's not fun. It's also cold, this afternoon high was 17° C (63° F). I was told it's this temperature all year round. It might be high, it might be cold, but it is quite pretty in this narrow valley with the Mantaro River running through the center of town.

Huancavelica has around 50,000 people. It was founded in August 1572. The town church was constructed from 1572 to completion in 1603. There are several other such old churches and buildings in town still being used. Huancavelica is considered one of the poorest cities in Perú.

The city was known as Wankawillka (sacred stone) prior to the Spanish Conquest. Viceroy Francisco de Toledo established the town in 1572. There are a number of mines in the mountains around the city, the mines giving up quicksilver and mercury. And the 1977 recording of a wedding song sung by a young girl from this region was included on the Golden Record carried on board the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes.

I'm only spending one night here due to my dizziness and headaches. I've got to get to lower elevations. Not to mention - warmer climes. (There are photos in the photo album)