Some of Peru’s most interesting (and most frequent) festivals are found in the Mantaro Valley, which has more traditional festivals than there are days in the year. During the Festival de Apóstol Santiago on July 25, villagers throughout the Mantaro Valley brand their livestock amid much dancing and drinking of chicha (fermented corn beer). Though Christian on the surface, this pre-Hispanic ritual invokes the protection of Andean deities.

Other festival highlights include Fiesta del Niño in January, Carnaval in February, Cruz del Mayo in May, Fiesta de San Pedro y San Pablo on June 28 and 29, La Fiesta de Santiago on July 25, and Todos los Santos (Day of the Dead) on November 1.

In Jauja there is Jala Pato (Pull the Duck) in late January, when horsemen compete to yank off the head of a suspended duck.

The village of Sapallanga is known for the colorful processions of the Virgen de Cocharcas September 7–9. For a complete list of Mantaro Valley festivals, visit www.incasdelperu.org.