Apurímac by Visit Peru

Pacucha Lagoon © Walter Silveira / PROMPERÚ

Apurímac A practical guide for visitors

Apurímac Location

Southern mountains of Peru

Capital

Abancay (2378 meters)

Elevation Min.: 920 meters (Pasaje) Max.: 5438 meters (Huaña) Climate Temperature Max.:

23,8 ºC

Min.:

11,7 ºC

Dec - Mar

Mar - June

June - Sept

Sept - Dec

Arriving By land Lima-Nasca-Puquio-Abancay: 912 km /

18 hr.

Lima-Ayacucho-Chincheros-Andahuaylas-Abancay: 969 km / Cusco-Abancay: 198 km /

4 hr.

By air Lima-Andahuaylas:

1 hr. and 15 min

17 hr.

Pampachiri stone forest © Miguel Mejía / PROMPERÚ The mysterious rock formations of Pampachiri originated three million years ago and are an ideal landscape to connect with nature.

Apurímac Apurímac Departmental Departmental capital capital ProvincialProvincial capital capital District capital District capital International International border border

CHINCHEROS CHINCHEROS Huaccana

Huaccana Ongoy

road AsphaltedAsphalted road Airport

River

Lake or lagoon Lake or lagoon

Ocobamba CHINCHEROSCHINCHEROS

er as Riv Pamp

Airport

er as Riv Pamp

Non-asphalted road Non-asphalted road

Ongoy

Uripa

Cocharcas Uranmarca

Uripa Ranracancha

Ocobam Andarapa Ranracancha

Pacu

Pacucha Cocharcas Talavera de la Reyna Talavera San Santa María Santa María Uranmarca AND de Chicmo de Chicmo

Huancara

Huancaray

Natural Protected Natural Protected Area Area

Turpo San Antonio de Cachi San Antonio de Cachi

Suy

Chiara

ANDAHUAYLAS ANDAH Chiara Chaccrampa

Chaccrampa

Huayana Huayana Umamarca Umama To Pomacocha Pomacocha Capaya Pampachiri

Pamp

Sañay

AYACUCHO AYACUCHO

CHALH

Pachachaca River © Miguel Mejía / PROMPERÚ

Anchacata Lagoo An

CUSCO

Apurímac River Apurímac River

Huanipaca Cachora

Huanipaca

a ba

Kaquiabamba

Cachora

Ampay snowy peakAmpay snowy peak

Ampay National Ampay Curahuasi National

ucha Pacobamba Lagoon

Curahuasi

Sanctuary Sanctuary Pacobamba Tamburco Tamburco Jerónimo Huancarama Huancarama

ABANCAY ABANCAY

Kishuara

ABANCAY ABANCAY

Antaccocha Lagoon agoon

ytuccocha Lagoon on Pichirhua

Pichirhua

Lambrama Circa

Circa

San Juan de Chacña uan de Chacña Lucre Chacoche Tintay Chapimarca Chapimarca Colcabamba

Palpacachi

Curpahuasi

oraya

TAMBOBAMBA TAMBOBAMBA Huayllati

Huayllati

GRAU

Coyllurqui

Lambrama Palpacachi

Orjococha Lagoon Orjococha Lagoon

Chacoche

Cotabambas

Vil ca ba mb aR ive r

Kishuara

Vil ca ba mb aR ive r

DAHUAYLAS

GRAU

COTABAMBAS COTABAMBAS

Curpahuasi Curasco Curasco Progreso Vilcabamba Vilcabamba

Progreso Mara Mara CHUQUIBAMBILLA CHUQUIBAMBILLA Ayrihuanca Ayrihuanca Huayllo Inticancha Inticancha Challhuahuacho Challhuahuacho Santa Rosa Santa Rosa Tapairihua Tapairihua snowy peak snowy peak San Antonio San Antonio ua Pichihua Quesperaque Pataypampa Quesperaque Pataypampa Soraya Mallmanya snowy Mallmanya peak Huascahuaccasa snowy peak Huascahuaccasa Yanaca Yanaca Ayahuay Ayahuay snowy peak snowy peak Parcacirca snowyParcacirca peak snowy peak yca Turpay Turpay Pocohuanca Pachaconas a Haquira Haquira Mamara Mamara Pachaconas snowy peak snowy peak Virundo Virundo Oropesa O Oropesa O

HUANCA Pisti snowy peak

Sabaino Huaquirca Pisti snowy peak

Sabaino Huaquirca

ANTABAMBAANTABAMBA Caraybamba Cotaruse

ro pe sa Riv er

Caraybamba Mollebamba

r ive aR mb aba Ant

Mollebamba

MARAESAYMARAES

ro pe sa Riv er

ANTABAMBA ANTABAMBA Huayunca snowy peak Huayunca snowy peak

Tranca snowy peakTranca snowy peak

Huacullo LagoonHuacullo Lagoon

AREQUIPA AREQUIPA

Graphic scale Graphic (km) scale (km)

200

40 20

6040

Distances

By private travel from the city of Abancay to the cities of

DESTINO

DISTANCIA

TIEMPO

Chalhuanca (Aymaraes Province)

120 km

2 hr.

Andahuaylas (Andahuaylas Province)

128 km

3 hr.

Chuquibambilla (Grau Province)

121 km

4 hr.

Antabamba (Antabamba Province)

144 km

5 hr.

Chincheros (Chincheros Province)

209 km

5 hr.

Tambobamba (Cotabambas Province)

331 km

7 hr.

City of Abancay © Alonso Molina / PROMPERÚ

2 days

Tours

(the minimum recommended stay)

½ day

Abancay city tour (main square, temple, museum and Taraccasa Lookout)

1 day

Abancay surroundings (Saywite archeological complex and Apurímac River canyon).

1 day

Cconoc hot springs

1 day

Ampay National Sanctuary

1 day

Andahuaylas city tour (San Pedro de Andahuaylas church, José María Arguedas Museum and the main square).

1 day

Andahuaylas surroundings (Pacucha Lagoon and Sóndor archeological complex).

1 day

Páncula Pampa de Pabellones de Pampachiri.

Calendar Feb-Mar

Carnival in Abancay and Apurímac

Mar

National Meeting of the Originary Carnival Pukllay

28 April

Anniversary of Apurimac

19 June

Sóndor Raymi “La epopeya Chanka” (Andahuaylas)

28-30 July

Yawar Festival

31 Jul-3 Aug

Señor de Ánimas Festival (Aymaraes)

8 Sept

Virgin of Cocharcas (Chincheros)

14 Sept

Señor de Exaltación Festival (Grau)

3 Nov

Anniversary of Abancay

What to eat? The guinea pig takes center stage in regional cuisine. Dishes include cuy relleno (with entrails, herbs, and roasted and ground peanuts) and pepián de cuy (stewed meat with peanuts and spices). Other emblematic plates include huatia (stone-cooked potatoes with rocoto pepper and aromatic herbs) and homemade noodles served with chickens tew and kapchi de chuño (cheese, rocoto pepper and freeze-dried potato). These meals can be accompanied by ponche (punch) served with grated cocoa and a cup of cañazo (a cane liquor).

What to buy? Apurímac’s craftsmen are skilled carvers of wood, both for domestic and decorative use. The huranhuay furniture is outstanding. They also make ceramics, and are masters of the backstrap and peg looms for making warm garments, and dolls with typical costumes of the region.

What to see? Abancay Province The Cathedral Main Square. The construction of the city’s oldest church was dedicated to its patron, the Virgen del Rosario. Documents show 1645 to be the year in which the first stone of this simple temple with a single bell tower was laid.

Taraccasa Lookout 9 km to the north of the city of Abancay (20 min. by bus or 10 min. by car). An enormous cross on the top of a hill watches over the city. It provides a wonderful view of the city of Abancay and the neighboring district of Tamburco, especially during spring. Among its attractions are pools, and a zoo that is home to typical species of the area, including spectacled bears, foxes, vicuñas, condors and owls.

The Former Yaca Plantation House 37 km to the south of the city of Abancay in the district of Circa (45 min. by car). Surrounded by cane fields, this colonial plantation was dedicated to the production of rum. An entry arch, a small square, and a chapel welcome tourists. In addition to appreciating the architecture, visitors can practice rafting in the Pachachaca River, as well as kayaking and fishing.

Ampay National Sanctuary 5 km to the north of the city of Abancay, as far as the Visitor´s Center (15 min. by car), then 1.5 km to Angascocha Lagoon (1 hr. 30 min. on foot). Ticket entry. The sanctuary’s elevation ranges from 2850 to 5200 meters. It is the habitat of the intimpa, a conifer tree at risk of extinction. There are also orchids, bromeliads, and ferns. Wildlife species found in the area include the fox, the deer, the vizcacha, the partridge, and the owl.

Cconoc Hot Springs 73 km to the northeast of the city of Abancay, towards the locality of Curahuasi, (1 hr. 30 min. by bus) and then 21 km to the hot springs (45 min. by bus). Ticket entry. These hot spring sources, with therapeutic properties against arthritis, muscular aches, and rheumatism, are located on the banks of the Apurímac River. The visitor can enjoy a relaxing time amongst nature, surrounded by carob trees and reed beds.

Apurímac River Canyon 73 km to the north of the city of Abancay (2 hr. 30 min. by bus). Along its descent from 5000 meters, the flow of the Apurímac River forms one of the deepest canyons on the continent. The Quebrada Honda (Deep Gorge), on the road between Abancay and Cusco, is an excellent spot to enjoy the countryside. Adventure enthusiasts can practice rafting in its Category II and IV rapids.

Saywite archeological Complex 47 km to the northeast of the city of Abancay (45 min. by car). Ticket entry. The complex consists of monoliths; nine springs; a rectangular platform that was used for rituals related to worship of the sun and astronomy, and Intihuatana, a carved stone. The most outstanding feature is the Saywite monolith. At 2.5 meters in height, it displays carved motifs of the area’s flora and fauna.

San Cristóbal Natural Lookout 5 km to the northeast of the city of Curahuasi (8 min. by car). From this observation point, there is a panoramic view of the Apurímac River’s meandering trajectory, the Cunyac bridge that connects the region with Cusco, the Salcantay chain of mountains, the Choquequirao archeological complex, and the Curahuasi valley. Fields of fruit crops and anise complete the image.

Andahuaylas Province Andahuaylas City 128 km to the west of the city of Abancay (3 hr. by car). In spite of time, the city’s colonial architecture remains intact. A fountain carved from a single stone is located in front of San Pedro Cathedral in the main square. The Chumbao River flows beneath a colonial bridge that bears the same name.

Waywaka Lookout 2 km to the south of the city of Andahuaylas (20 min. on foot). From here the entire city of Andahuaylas and the Chumbao Valley, where a large cross protects the city, can be seen. It was also considered an important huaca.

The Campanayocc Sanctuary 5 km to the south of the city of Andahuaylas (30 min. by car). The modern church here attracts not only the faithful, but also those who wish to enjoy the idyllic scenery of Andahuaylas and the Chumbao valley.

Petroglyphs of Sachapucro 14.4 km from the city of Andahuaylas (30 minutes by car) Set of images that represent abstract, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figures, as well as the Andean cosmovision and astronomical observation, inheritance of the Chankas culture. They represent daily events that demonstrate the use of lithic tools and coexistence with their natural environment.

Ampay National Sanctuary © Miguel Mejía / PROMPERÚ

Saywite stone © Miguel Mejía / PROMPERÚ

Grotto de Sutoqmachay 15 km from the city of Andahuaylas (25 min. by car) Its name comes from Quechua, and in spanish means "grotto of the drops" or "cave of rain". This natural cave has stalactites and stalagmites inside. The geographical characteristics of its location are pronounced towards the formation of a canyon through which the waters of the rivers Chumbao and Orcconmayu flow, which turn into solid all that is interposed in its course thanks to its high content of silica and other minerals.

Curamba Archaeological Complex 15 km to the east of the district of Kishuara (15 min. by car). The ushno, a truncated pyramid with three platforms and sacred function, stands above various quadrangular and rectangular buildings that served as living quarters and storage areas. Every June 22, it is the scene of the Tinkuy Curamba, a representation of the visit of the Inca Pachacútec.

Pacucha Lagoon 17 km to the northeast of the city of Andahuaylas (20 min. by car). This lagoon, well known for its deep blue color, lies at 3091 meters. The yellowish sand and the reeds in its surroundings are home to different species of duck.

Petroglyphs of Llamachayoq 20.9 km from the city of Andahuaylas (30 minutes by car) These series of caves, on whose walls are carved figures of South American camelids, felines, human figures in daily hunting and farming activities, as well as the sun, which was considered their deity. In its surroundings you can see landscapes of great splendor with native plants such as alder and queñua.

Sóndor Archaeological Complex 21 km to the northeast of the city of Andahuaylas (30 min. by car). Ticket entry. This archeological center consists of pyramid-like constructions surrounded by walls and platforms. The Chankas (1100-1400) were the first inhabitants, but it was later occupied by the Incas (1400-1532).

Pampachiri Stone Forest 121 km to the south of the city of Andahuaylas (2:30 h by car) and 121 km to the northwest of the city of Abancay (3h by car). Ticket entry. The wind and the passage of time have sculpted the volcanic rocks that rise up in these grasslands. Some have a pyramid-like shape, while other have silhouettes like mushrooms. They rise to a height of 8 meters. Their porous surfaces contain minerals, such as quartz, obsidian and basalt.

Chincheros Province Cocharcas Colonial Temple 110 km to the northwest of the city of Andahuaylas (3 hr. by bus). This temple of two towers and a dome was built between 1598 and 1625 in white sillar stone. Its carved stone walls make it a fine example of colonial architecture. Its interior houses a carved altar covered in gold leaf, as well as works from the Cusco School and by Spanish masters.

Antabamba Province San Salvador de Antabamba Temple Antabamba main square. This austere church of lime and stone masonry has simple doors. Its main altar dates from the 17th century and is baroque in style, with wooden carvings coated in gold leaf.

Nuestra Señora de Asunción de Huaquirca Church Huaquirca main square. This church has a facade of limestone and mud and is baroque-mestizo in style. Built in the 17th century, it is decorated with rustic murals and a carved wooden pulpit.

Pacucha Lagoon © Miguel Mejía / PROMPERÚ

Aymaraes Province City of Chalhuanca 120 km to the southwest of the city of Abancay (2 hr. by car). This tranquil city at an altitude of 2800 m retains beautiful churches with wooden altars covered in gold leaf that bear testimony to its colonial splendor.

Temple of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes de Pampamarca 23.5 km to the south of the city of Chalhuanca (45 min. by car). This church was built in the 17th and 18th centuries and has a 20 m stone tower holding the María Angola Menor, a mythical bell.

Pincahuacho Hot Springs 6 km to the northwest of the city of Chalhuanca (15 min. by car). Ticket entry. Crystal-clear mineral waters gush from the soil and reach a temperature of 73 °C. They are considered therapeutic for illness such as rheumatism and bronchitis.

Cotabambas Province Ccacca Prison 200 m to the south of the main square of Haquira (5 min. on foot). This rocky crag of 15 meters in height served as a prison in colonial times and its name means “stone prison”. The tribunal in which people were judged is located in the central part. If found guilty, they were taken to the caves, which functioned as cells for men and women.

Pachachaca Bridge © Alonso Molina / PROMPERÚ

Abancay City Center

City limit Main river Urban area

The Cathedral

Taraccasa Lookout

Medical attention Police City Hall Post Office

to Ampay to Ampay National Sanc National Sanctuary

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24 hours (+51-1) 574-8000 (+51) 944-492-314 iperu@promperu.gob.pe VisitPeru

www.peru.travel www.ytuqueplanes.com

The information in this brochure was updated in November 2019. In developing it, PROMPERU has used official information sources, and the Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade and Tourism (DIRCETUR). Opening hours and telephones are subject to variation by each tourist attraction. Confirm times and phone numbers with IPERÚ.

A publication by the Peru Export and Tourism Promotion Board - PROMPERU Calle Uno Oeste n.° 50, piso 14, urb. Córpac, San Isidro, Lima - Perú Telephone: (+51-1) 616-7300 www.promperu.gob.pe © PROMPERÚ. All rights reserved. Hecho el Depósito Legal en la Biblioteca Nacional del Perú n.° xxxxxx Printing: Quad/Graphics Perú S.A. (Av. Los Frutales No. 344, Ate Vitarte-Lima) Lima, October 2019

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