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primitivo perez paredes urcon

castellano

Although few people in Huaraz have visited the town Urcon, most people know the Urcon cheese that is produced there and sold in the Huaraz Mercado Central. For decades it has been recognized as one of the best cheeses in Peru. >>>>>


Unfortunately the Agrarian Reforms of 1968 resulted in a drastic decline in the amount of cows in the area and in the production of cheese.
Strange that such an interesting town is still impossible to reach directly by public transport and that it has no hotel (october 2006).


To reach Urcon your best option at the moment (oct 06) is to take the bus from Huaraz to Sihuas (or viseversa) and to get off at the crossing at the town of Tarica, 2 to 3 hours away from Sihuas. it will be clear when you reach Tarica as the bus will fill with women trying to sell the round Urcon cheeses. From Tarica it is a 40 minutes easy walk down hill to the town of Urcon.
To return to Tarica to get a bus back you can ask a taxi driver in Urcon to drive you. There are a few cars in town available for this quick service. >>>>>


It's strange that a town with such economic and tourist potential has just a few private rooms available and no direct public access. Economic decline in Urcon, which used to sell cheese all over Peru, started when the big hacienda in the region closed during agrarian reforms and the villager were left behind without knowledge how to professionally run the cheese enterprise. Now there are sbout 5 independent producers of cheese with rather primitive equipment. There is no communal cheese transport to Huaraz resulting in high transportation costs.


It seems like Urcon can learn something from that other cheese producing town in Ancash, Chiquian. Even though (in our personal opinion) Chiquian cheese is not as tasty as Urcon cheese it is produced in a much more professional way and sold all over Peru. Unlike Urcon producers in Chiquian received knowledge and financial aid from an ONG and they use modern equipment.

But for a traveler interested in cheese production Urcon is certainly interesting. The villagers will be happy to show you the traditional cheese making process. In exchange you could buy a cheese from them. >>>>>


And there is more than cheese in Urcon. The area is beautifully green because of the large fields with cows. Also there are many eucalyptus trees around Urcon. The wood is an additional income for the community.

Nice therefore to stroll around the area. Some archeological remains can also be found nearby. Well worth to visit Urcon for all you cheese freaks or if you are just looking for some peace and quiet. But if you want to stay the night consider bringing a tent.

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