The scenic Mantaro Valley is located not too far to the east of Lima, and is easily reached from Huancayo. This fertile valley is known for its potatoes, corn, quinoa, artichokes, barley and a variety of vegetables. Besides being rich in agricultural, Mantaro Valley also produces an abundance of Andean artesanía. The charming adobe villages that line the valley are famous for their handicrafts, and some of the artisans have even received national awards for their work.
In particular, the twin towns of Cochas Grande and Cochas Chico specialize in the ancient art of gourd carving; Hualhuas is known for finely woven tapestries, and San Jerónimo de Tunán produces a lot of fine silver jewelry. In short, visitors are bound to encounter some of the finest crafts in Peru.
Perhaps more valuable than the goods themselves is the opportunity to sit and chat with the artisans as they deftly work on their latest creation. And unlike the more touristy dives around Peru, the people in Mantaro Valley seem innocently oblivious to foreign visitors.  Having maintained their traditional ways of life, the inhabitants of this region provide a refreshing, remarkably un-touristy glimpse of life in the valley.
There are a number of interesting sites sprawled across Mantaro, including ruins from the Xauxa and Huanca cultures. Adventurers and active travelers can explore the area on foot or with mountain bikes. For trail information make your way to Incas del Peru (Giráldez 652, Tel: 51-64-223-303, URL: www.incasdelpuru.org, Open Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 4 - 7 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.). Owner Lucho Hurtado is a fountain of knowledge about the area and can organize a number of different activities and itineraries, including excursions to nearby Cordillera Huaytapallana, archaeological tours, and visits to crafts shops.
For a good night's sleep and bite to eat before heading out into the valley, Huancayo is your best bet. Although not particularly attractive, the town is a bustling commercial and cultural hub where you can surely spend a few days exploring.