Discover Chivay

Chivay brings together colonial traces, Andean traditions, and a convenient base for exploring the Colca Valley. The town is the service center for the tourist destination Valle y Cañón del Colca and is also considered a starting point for exploring it. A stay can therefore be devoted both to Chivay’s squares and cultural attractions and to activities in the valley. This connection is especially evident at Plaza Principal and the Templo Nuestra Señora de la Asunción.

Plaza Principal and finding your way around town

Plaza Principal lies in the heart of Chivay and serves as a meeting place for locals and visitors alike. Stone pillars bearing local iconography support a statue of a condor; decorative lighting illuminates the square at night. A tourist map of the Colca Valley and Colca Canyon is also displayed there. In this central location, an everyday meeting place comes together with an overview of the two names that define the surrounding area.

Chivay’s layout also gives the townscape its own sense of order: its traditional sectors are called Ccapa, Urinsaya, and Hanansaya. Ccapa is in the upper area, Urinsaya in the lower area, and Hanansaya in the upper area. The orderly streets and house façades with traditional elements complement this layout and, together with the colonial architecture, shape the character of the town.

Dances and festival traditions

Chivay’s traditional dances include the Wititi, which is recognized as a Cultural Heritage of the Nation. Negritos de Chivay and Turku Tusuy are also mentioned. The Wititi is also recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. For travelers interested in local traditions, it is a tangible cultural point of reference, not just a name on the map.

The Fiesta de la Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción is celebrated from December 7 to 12 and is associated with December 8. The festivities include Wititi competitions. Plaza Principal is also associated with Wititi performances and competitions among Pinkullero musicians; no specific schedule is given. The festival and dances offer different perspectives on the same tradition: its place in the calendar and its cultural performances in town.

Colonial church and local history

The Templo Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Chivay is a colonial church and part of the Colca Valley tourist circuit. Its current structure dates from the second half of the 18th century. Features on record include a carved and gilded Baroque altarpiece with Cuzco influences, a Renaissance tabernacle, and an 18th-century pulpit. The church’s combination of styles and historical periods makes it a particularly tangible point of reference if you are interested in Chivay’s historic architecture.

Chivay was founded by the Spanish during the viceroyalty of Toledo; its founding is dated to approximately the 16th century. Since colonial times, the town has been a trade and transport hub, particularly in connection with the mines of Caylloma and Madrigal. This history adds to the picture of the church: Chivay was shaped not only by its religious buildings, but also by its former role in the region’s trade and transportation.

Chivay as a base for the Colca Valley

From Chivay, visitors can join an organized tour to explore the valley or hire a taxi for greater flexibility. Nearby is the Complejo Turístico Baños Termales La Calera, 3 km from Chivay. The complex includes a small ethnological museum with archaeological finds from the Colca Valley and traditional clothing from the Colca. Parts of the terraced landscape and the Río Colca can also be seen from the Baños Termales. This offers cultural insights and scenic views as distinct interests to consider when planning your trip.

If the Colca Valley is the focus of your trip, you can include Chivay as a base when searching for a vacation rental. For a stay focused more on the town itself, the plaza, festival traditions, and church offer tangible cultural points of reference. Which of these aspects interests you most can help shape your choice of where to stay, without assuming any particular features of an accommodation.

For the broader travel overview: Chivay.