Religious festival traditions shape the year in Carhuaz. Nearby, visitors can also find places for walks, scenic views, and nature watching. The wider Carhuaz travel area offers additional landscape and cultural attractions—a distinction that is useful when planning festival dates and excursions.

Festival Days and Religious Traditions in Carhuaz

The festival of the Virgen de las Mercedes is celebrated in Carhuaz in September and dates back to 1921. The Iglesia de Carhuaz houses the Virgen de las Mercedes, a religious sculpture from the viceroyalty period with historical, social, and artistic value.

On Domingo de Cuasimodo, flower carpets made exclusively from petals, leaves, and branches are created along Avenida El Progreso. The procession reaches the Santuario Virgen de las Mercedes; afterward, the main gate is opened to worshippers so they can attend Mass. The celebration brings families and communities together in shared religious devotion. It also includes visits to older and sick people, who are brought Communion.

The Wankillas are performed during the Fiesta de la Virgen de las Mercedes, from September 24 to October 3; the main festival day is September 24. Their performance is intended to promote well-being, good harvests, and an increase in livestock, while also giving thanks to Patsa Mama, Mother Earth. The choreography is associated with the movement of the Earth and various natural phenomena. If you would like to experience the Wankillas, you can plan your visit around these dates.

Sweets are also part of the festival: La Colación features traditional sweets from Carhuaz Province, including bizcochuelos, suspiros, fachenda, corn rolls, alfajores, sweet empanadas, and sugar-coated egg-yolk rings. As part of the festival, the mayordomos bring these sweets to the homes of their Quellis from August 14 to September 13; the activity is accompanied by Roncadora and Tinya. Carhuaz is also known for its handmade ice cream.

Walks and Scenic Views Nearby

Cascada Bruja Armanan is about 15 minutes north of the Plaza de Armas in Carhuaz. A story about a woman who used the waterfall for healing and cleansing rituals in the 1930s plays a role in the local history of its name. A paved path from the Carhuaz–Caraz road leads to the waterfall and is suitable for walks.

Near Carhuaz, Petroglifo Piedra del Diablo is considered easily accessible and offers opportunities to observe the landscape, flora, and fauna. Mirador natural de Llanllapu provides views over the district of Carhuaz and the Callejón de Huaylas. Downhill mountain biking is also mentioned as a possible activity there. These places offer different experiences: nature watching at the Petroglifo, views at the Mirador, and a walk to the waterfall.

Nature and Culture in the Wider Carhuaz Travel Area

Parque Nacional Huascarán extends across Ancash Department, including the province of Carhuaz. Laguna Auquiscocha is located within the national park. The park was designated a biosphere reserve in 1977 and a natural World Heritage Site in 1985. The wider Carhuaz travel area also includes the highland plain of Pampas de Shonquilpampa, which covers about 2.26 square kilometers and is crossed by the Río Chucchún.

A camping area with safe sites and water sources has been established between Shonquilpampa and Quebrada Hualcán. As local conditions can change, it is best to check them before making specific camping plans. For walks to Cascada Bruja Armanan, the paved path mentioned above leads from the Carhuaz–Caraz road to the waterfall; it is also a good idea to check trail conditions in advance.

Baños Termales de Chancos has two pools—one large and one small—as well as individual and family pools and steam baths in caves dug into the hillside. From Marcará, a three-kilometer paved road leads to the baths; the drive in a private car takes about six minutes. Check current road conditions before setting out. As facilities can change, it is also advisable to check current conditions before visiting.

In Vicos, the Cuyaqui Wayi community tourism association provides visitor information about lakes and glaciers in Parque Nacional Huascarán. During a stay in Vicos, visitors can also share typical dishes with farming families. Contact arrangements may change, so confirm them before making specific plans. Another cultural site in the wider Carhuaz travel area is Honcopampa, where three multi-chambered structures are known as chullpas. In 1991, William Isbell classified Honcopampa as a provincial Wari center in the Callejón de Huaylas.

Discover more destinations: Santo Toribio District, Chavin de Huantar, Caraz, San Juan District, Chimbote, Buena Vista, Mancos, Yungay.

View the wider travel overview: Ancash.