Tarma

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, mininvan 5 hours S/40

Acobamba

• WilcashmarcaRuins of buildings.

• YanamarcaChanca culture, ruins of a three-story building.

Tarma

• Museo de la Cultura

  address: Corner of Jr. Dos de Mayo and Jr. Arequipa
  A great first stop as they'll give you an excellent map of Tarma and surrounding areas for free.

• AncashmarcaRuins.

• CarnavalIn early March.

• Festival of FlowersSeptember

• Festival del Huayco tarmeñoNovember

• Plaza de ArmasFeatures a nice fountain and palms.

• Santa Ana Cathedral

• Semana SantaEaster, beautiful floral displays.

• TarmatamboStone buildings and terraces.

Huaricolca

• Pintish Machay

  address: Near Huaricolca, head towards Tarmatambo and keep going.
  Cave featuring ancient paintings.

Leticia

• KutumarcaRuins, round stone structure.

Palcamayo

San Pedro de Cajas

• Gruta de HuagapoPossibly the largest cave in Peru. There are also ancient paintings here. About 27 km from Tarma just past the town of Palcamayo. Take the road towards Junin.

• Gruta de Pacupa HuainCave near San Pedro de Cajas.

Huasahuasi

Palca

• Santuario Nacional Pampa HermosaTropical/subtropical jungle, waterfalls, Yungas. About 100 km from Tarma near San Ramon. Much closer to San Ramon than Tarma but San Ramon doesn't have a wikivoyage page yet.

Tapo

Trek

• Laguna de CoconHeading east from Palcamayo there is a trail leading past the ruins of Llaumanpata and onto Laguna de Cocon, about 10 km each way.

• 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.

• Los Mejorcito de Tarma

  phone: +51 64 31 7329
  address: Av. Arequipa 501

• Salón Odria

  phone: +51 64 321411
  address: Av. Ramón Castilla 512

• El Gallito De Oro

  phone: +51 64 323019
  address: Jirón 2 De Mayo, 501

• El Pollo Stop

  phone: +51 64 321411
  address: Avenida Ramón Castilla, 512
  Has a kids playground and outdoor eating area.

• Hot N' Tender

  phone: +51 64 32 4220
  address: Jirón Lima, 730
  Chicken, chips, salad.
• Try the little cakes (S/1) of Panaderia Bahamas (Jr Huanuco, near from the market)
• 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.

Restaurants

Typical drinks

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

Bars

Budget

• Aruba

  phone: +51 64 322057
  address: Jirón Moquegua 452
  Hot water, private bathrooms, cable TV.

Mid-range

• El Dorado

  phone: +51 64 321914
  address: Jirón Huánuco 488
  Continental breakfast, Internet, room service, hot water, private bathrooms, cable TV. These guys also have a good range of tours from S/30 to S/65.

• Municipalidad Provincial de Tarma

• Bomberos

  phone: +51 64 321 700

• Hospital Félix Mayorca Soto

  phone: +51 64 32 1401, +51 64 32 1400
  address: Av. Pacheco 362

• Serennazgo

  phone: +51 64 321 322

• Policia Nacional del Peru

  phone: +51 64 321 921

• 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.