Yungay: Memorial Sites, Culture and Nature

Yungay brings together remembrance, regional festival culture and experiences in nature. Every year on May 31, the city remembers the victims and missing persons of the 1970 earthquake and avalanche. Nearby, you can also visit the historic Cerro Pan de Azúcar and Laguna Chinancocha in Huascarán National Park. This gives you a range of ways to shape your trip to Yungay: around memorial sites, history, landscapes or festivals.

Memorial Sites and History

The May 31 memorial observance includes a pilgrimage from the Plaza de Armas in Yungay to Campo Santo. The ceremony also features a regional food and handicrafts fair. Those interested in the history of the area will find an annual occasion that brings remembrance and regional crafts together.

Capilla María Auxiliadora is also dedicated to remembrance. It was built between 2003 and 2006 with support from people in Yungay and Shilla. It is dedicated to the nine people who survived the earthquake and avalanche of May 31, 1970. The chapel is in the settlement of Cochahuain near Yungay. There you will find workshops run by artisans from Yungay, as well as a permanent exhibition of finely crafted furniture, religious art, wood sculptures and oil paintings.

Near Punyan is Cerro Pan de Azúcar, the site of the Battle of January 20, 1839, which brought an end to the Peru-Bolivian Confederation. The site combines historical significance with a practical excursion: a 1.28-kilometer footpath leads uphill from Plazuela de Punyan; the stated walking time is about 40 minutes.

The Lagoon and Nearby Trails

East of the city, Laguna Chinancocha lies at an altitude of 3,850 meters in Huascarán National Park. In its tourism zone, you can go boating or hike along an interpretive trail on the shore to the other lagoon. This offers two distinct ways to enjoy the water: a boat ride on the lake and a hike along its shore. Hiking and trekking are also promoted in Yungay as ways to experience the landscape and nature firsthand.

Mountain biking routes to local attractions are also mentioned. These include landscapes near Campo Santo and Cueva de los Guitarreros. If you choose Yungay for an active trip, these excursions offer a different focus from the city’s memorial and cultural sites.

Getting There and Routes to Campo Santo

By road, you can reach Yungay via Lima–Pativilca–Huaraz–Yungay, via Huaraz–Yungay or via Santa–Huallanca–Caraz–Yungay. Another option is to fly from Lima to Anta. From there, a taxi or shared minibus takes about 30 to 45 minutes to reach Yungay.

Several modes of transport are described for the journey from Plaza de Armas to Campo Santo: a mototaxi takes about three minutes along a paved route, while a private car takes about two minutes. A paved route also leads there on foot; the stated walking time is about 20 minutes. These different estimates can help you fit a visit to Campo Santo into your daily plans.

Festivals and Regional Cuisine

The Semana Turística de Yungay usually takes place in the last week of July. Its program includes a food fair featuring typical dishes made with guinea pig, chocho and bread. The festivities conclude with a music festival in Plaza de Armas and folk dances from Yungay Province. This festival week has a different focus from the May memorial observance: regional food and music take center stage.

When deciding whether to choose Yungay as a destination, you can consider these different highlights: the May 31 memorial observance, the festivals usually held in the last week of July, or excursions to the lagoon and Cerro Pan de Azúcar. When looking for a vacation rental in Yungay, it is helpful to first consider which of these travel experiences interests you most.

Discover More Destinations

For more travel ideas, you can also explore Carhuaz, Huarmey, Caraz, Chavin de Huantar, Mancos, Yanama District, Buena Vista and San Juan District.

Back to the main travel overview: Ancash.