Andahuaylas Province: Lagoon, Culture and History

Andahuaylas Province offers different ways to experience its landscapes, history, and traditions. At Laguna de Pacucha, the lake and a circuit route shape the nature experience. In Curamba, archaeological structures and an annual event take center stage. Guided tours about the history and culture of the region’s ancient peoples, along with religious and musical traditions, round out the picture. You can tailor your trip to focus on nature, archaeological sites, or events.

Laguna de Pacucha: Water and a Circuit Route

Laguna de Pacucha covers 728 hectares and is approximately 30 meters deep. Visitors can rent bicycles to ride the circuit route around the lagoon. This gives you two concrete ways to plan your day: the lake as a scenic destination and the option of cycling the route. If you’re primarily looking for nature and physical activity during your stay, you can take this focus into account when choosing a vacation rental in the province.

History and Archaeological Sites

The Museo Chanka de Andahuaylas, in the district and province of Andahuaylas, offers guided tours about the history and culture of the region’s ancient peoples. A visit to the museum therefore offers a different focus from an excursion to the lagoon: the tours explore historical and cultural topics. For travelers who want to discover these subjects together, the museum is a distinct activity within the province.

The archaeological site of Curamba, also known as Cerro Inca, is located in the Kishuara District of Andahuaylas Province. Its named structures include a main plaza, an Ushno, or sanctuary, in the form of a two-tiered truncated pyramid, and a Kallanka. These varied structures give the site its archaeological character. Those interested in architectural forms and the region’s history will find a different focus here than on the guided tours at the Museo Chanka.

Every year on June 22, the Sitio Arqueológico de Curamba serves as the setting for Tinkuy Curamba. Tinkuy Curamba reenacts Pachacútec’s visit. If you’d like to take this event into account when planning your trip, the date offers a specific point of reference. Alongside its archaeological structures, the site thus offers an annual event associated with the reenactment of a historical encounter.

Pilgrimage and Regional Traditions

Every year on September 14, a pilgrimage in honor of the Señor de Huanca takes place at the Santuario de Campanayocc in Andahuaylas Province. The sanctuary and its surroundings also offer spaces for meditation and relaxation, as well as for taking in the landscape. This place therefore offers both a religious observance with a set date and quieter ways to spend time. When planning, you can decide whether to schedule your trip around the pilgrimage or include Campanayocc for its described opportunities for reflection and enjoying the landscape.

The Encuentro del Carnaval Originario del Perú – Pukllay – Andahuaylas features dances and music associated with the traditional customs of Apurímac’s farming communities. The focus here is on forms of expression and customs passed down through generations, rather than archaeological structures or a nature circuit. For families who want to include cultural experiences in their trip, Pukllay offers an opportunity to explore music and dance from Apurímac.

Getting There and Choosing a Base

A 108-kilometer journey by combi, taking about three hours, runs from Andahuaylas bus station to the Plaza de Armas in Pampachiri. This plaza serves as the gateway to the Bosque de Piedras de Pampachiri. If you’d like to include the stone forest in your trip, the journey is an important practical factor to consider when choosing a base and accommodation. The route starts at Andahuaylas bus station and ends at the plaza; you can factor the stated distance and approximate travel time into your day’s plans.

To reach the city of the same name, visit Andahuaylas. Find more destinations in Aymaraes and Chincheros.

For the broader travel overview: Apurímac.