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This department in the center of the Peruvian Andes- is as enigmatic as it is beautiful, as peaceful as it is surprising. 

Because at every step you take, you will discover a reality that seems not to have been explored in all its splendor. Because the landscapes will captivate you, its history will capture you and its people will fill your soul. Huancavelica is the place in Peru where you will feel calm at all times, all the time.

Founded almost 500 years ago (exactly on August 4, 1571), the name Huancavelica derives from the Quechua words wanka willka, which translates as “sacred stone”. There is also a theory -according to historian Garcilaso de la Vega- that the word uillca, which means “greatness”, was added to the Huanca province.

After two years of suspension due to the sanitary emergency decreed by the Government to face the covid-19 pandemic, the districts of Ahuaycha and Acraquia, located in the province of Tayacaja, Huancavelica region, will celebrate the Tipaki Tipaki carnivals.

The central activities will be held from Sunday, February 19 to Thursday, February 23. For this colorful festivity, declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation, both districts expect to receive thousands of visitors.

While Traveling and discovering new amazing festivals, you may need to use one of our mobile phone plans for tourists to have a tourist SIM card. In order to understand and find new adventures, here in PeruSIM.

Acraquia is one of the four districts that make up the Pampas valley located at 3,287 meters above sea level, with fertile land for agriculture and livestock. 

It is recognized as the cradle of the Tipaki Tipaki carnival, where the originality of this traditional festival is still preserved, which reflects the process of falling in love with young people with a lot of fun, so it was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Nation.

The mayor of the district of Acraquia, Rigoberto Inga Lopez, the uniqueness of the Tipaki Tipaki, his joy is evident even when we can only hear it through the telephone line, because it represents the identity of his people and as the highest authority he understands that his duty is to safeguard the tradition.

The essence of this traditional festival is basically two fundamental aspects: the clothing and the development of the dances. 

The women wear fustan-type skirts of a thousand stripes, a lliclla (blanket) on the back, a straw hat and a handkerchief in the hand and the men wear white shirts. In addition it is possible to appreciate that they take on the back cerpentina, bunch of corn, of beans.

They all dance and sing a cappella with their rondín and others with their whistle accompanied by a horse, while they perform the traditional steps with small jumps and games of love. Over the years the introduction of other instruments has become evident.

Before the pandemic of covid-19, about 100 cuadrillas from all the neighborhoods participated in the carnival celebration, including visitors from neighboring districts. 

During the pandemic, the celebration was suspended for two years. However, in 2022, with the flexibility of sanitary measures, the festivity was held on a single day with 40.

This year, 2023, at least 80 cuadrillas are expected to participate in the “Acraquia Mujupi Tipaki Tipaki”, which will be a spectacle for locals and visitors alike. An average of 20,000 local, national and international visitors are expected during the 5 days of festivities.

For those interested in living and enjoying this unique experience there are 4 lodgings and if more rooms are needed, the locals promise to enable their own houses as lodgings to accommodate visitors.

There is no need to worry about the food, the gastronomy in Acraquia is a point apart with its delicious typical dishes such as pachamanca of guinea pig and mutton. 

In addition to the renowned Huancavelican dish Cuchi canca and mondongo, and others made from trout fresh from the fish farms, as well as dairy products. In addition, you can enjoy the ecological and touristic benefits of the district.

How to get to Acraquia?

It is very easy to get to the cradle of Tipaki Tipaki, from the city of Lima the interprovincial buses of Huarivilca and Antesana take you directly to the district of Pampas. 

Once you are in this city you board a bus and in five minutes you will be in Acraquia. The ticket costs an average of 40 to 50 soles. If you are in the city of Huancayo, you can find collective cars in the park Los Héroes, in the district of Chilca, and in approximately one hour you will be at your destination, the road is completely paved.

As an extra bonus also in the district of Ahuaycha, about 5 minutes from Acraquia, the “XXIII Tipaki Tipaki Carnival Festival” will take place, a festival that was also declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Nation .

You can not miss it, Huancavelica is waiting for you to enjoy these celebrations.

Finally, we know that you have to keep communication with your relatives and friends, that you need to be able to orient yourself in new cities, that you might need help with translation and that you might need to search for restaurants or hotels. That’s why with PeruSIM you can buy a SIM card including the data plan of your need without having to worry about high roaming costs.