The Sunday market is the reason many travellers make the journey to Huancayo. It fills Jirón Huancavelica and several surrounding streets from early morning until mid-afternoon, with an almost bewildering range of goods: woven textiles, alpaca jumpers, ceramic pots, carved gourds from the nearby village of Cochas, silver jewellery, fruit, vegetables, live animals, and everything in between.
The textile section is outstanding. The Mantaro Valley has its own distinct weaving tradition, and you will find tablecloths, blankets, ponchos, and wall hangings that you will not see elsewhere in Peru. Prices are reasonable and bargaining is expected, though not aggressive. Go early — by noon the crowds are thick and the best pieces are gone. On Wednesdays a smaller but excellent market takes over San Jerónimo de Tunán, a village a few kilometres south, which specialises in silver filigree jewellery.