Carhuaz: Festive Traditions, Devotion and Regional Sweets

In Carhuaz, religious festivals, elaborate processional traditions and regional sweets are among the town’s distinctive features. The Fiesta of the Virgen de las Mercedes dates back to 1921 and is celebrated in September. Travelers wishing to plan their trip around a cultural occasion will find a specific date to consider in the festival calendar.

Festivals and Religious Traditions

The Virgen de las Mercedes is also represented by a religious sculpture in the Iglesia de Carhuaz. The statue of the Virgin Mary dates from the viceroyalty period and has historical, social and artistic value. Together with the festival, it shapes the religious and cultural significance of this name in Carhuaz.

Another festival event is Domingo de Cuasimodo. Along Avenida El Progreso, flower carpets are created using only petals, leaves and branches. The procession reaches the Santuario Virgen de las Mercedes; afterwards, the main gate is opened to the faithful so they can attend Mass. Domingo de Cuasimodo also includes communal devotion and visits to older and sick people, who are brought Communion. Families and communities come together in a shared religious setting.

During the Fiesta de la Virgen de las Mercedes, the Wankillas are also performed, from September 24 to October 3, with September 24 as the central feast day. Their choreography is connected to the movement of the Earth and various natural phenomena. The performance is intended to promote well-being, good harvests and an increase in livestock, while also giving thanks to Patsa Mama, Mother Earth. These dates and the central feast day offer a more precise time frame for planning your trip than the general September celebration.

La Colación and Ice Cream from Carhuaz

The festival includes the making of La Colación, traditional sweets from the province of Carhuaz. These include bizcochuelos, suspiros, fachenda, corn rolls, alfajores, sweet empanadas and sugar-coated egg-yolk rings. The variety ranges from pastries and small cakes to sweet dough treats and egg-based pastries. Preparations before the celebration also have their own time frame: from August 14 to September 13, the mayordomos bring traditional sweets to the homes of their quellis. Roncadora and tinya music accompanies the activity. In addition to these festival sweets, Carhuaz is known for its handmade ice cream.

Nature and Views in the Surrounding Area

Huascarán National Park extends across the department of Ancash, including the province of Carhuaz. Also close to Carhuaz is Cascada Bruja Armanan, about 15 minutes north of the Plaza de Armas. Petroglifo Piedra del Diablo is considered easy to access and is suitable for observing the landscape, flora and fauna. Mirador natural de Llanllapu offers views over the district of Carhuaz and the Callejón de Huaylas; downhill mountain biking is also mentioned as a possible activity there. The area therefore offers different kinds of nature experiences: a waterfall, landscape and nature observation, as well as viewpoints and cycling.

When choosing your travel dates, you can consider whether you want to focus on the September celebration and its traditions or are mainly interested in the natural and landscape attractions in the surrounding area.

More Destinations

If you would like to include more destinations in your search: Anta, Santo Toribio District, Buena Vista, Yanama District, Huarmey, San Juan District, Chimbote and Chavin de Huantar.

Back to the main travel overview: Ancash.