TOURIST INFORMATION
APURIMAC |
| GENERAL DATA |
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Location:
The department of Apurimac is located in the southeast
of Peru.
Peru Area:
20 895 Km2
Capital:
Abancay
Altitude:
2 378 m.a.s.l.
Average
annual temperature: 18º C ( 25º C maximum,
12º C minimum). Rainy Season: November to March.
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| ACCESS ROUTES |
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By land:
The most advisable route is Lima-Nasca-Abancay (897 km),
about 17 h by car.
An alternative route is Lima-Huancayo-Ayacucho-Andahuaylas-Abancay
(905 km) via Los Libertadores, about 22 h by car.
By air: Lima-Cusco
(1 h flight) then by road on the Cusco-Abancay highway,
about 6 h by car. |
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| HISTORICAL OVERLOOK |
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In etymological terms, Apurimac means Talking
God (In Quechua, Apu = God, rímac = To Talk).
Abancay, capital of the department of Apurimac is situated
in the Mariño river valley at the foot of the snowcapped
mountain Ampay, eternal guardian of the city. This inter-Andean
valley enjoys a pleasant climate, which is why Abancay
is referred to as The City of Eternal Spring. This was
the home town of many historical figures, including Doña
Micaela Bastidas. According to chroniclers and historians,
Abancay was founded in 1 574 by foreign visitor Ruiz de
Estrada, under the name Santiago de Abancay. Seventy-one
years later, the Dominican Domingo de Lartaun designed
the first plan of the city and dedicated it to Our Lady
of the Rosary, building a temple in her honor, now the
main church in Abancay, situated at the front of the Main
Square. |
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| OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY OF ABANCAY |
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Ampay National
Sanctuary
Located 6 km north of Abancay. Access is by car as far
as Arocopunco, then down a dirt road to the Sahuanay reservoir,
descending in the midst of the forest to the Ampay foothills
(Camping is allowed).
Comprised of natural forests, lakes and snow-capped mountains,
it is an excellent area for Ecological and Adventure Tourism.
Predominant among the diversity of trees is the Intimpa
(Podocarpus olifolius), the only coniferous species of
its kind in the country, currently in the process of extinction.
Apurímac River
Canyon
90 km northwest of Abancay, about 2 h by car.
Considered to be one of the deepest and most beautiful
canyons in the world, with enormous rock walls, it has
become a favorite spot for trekking and white water rafting.
Cconoc Thermal-medicinal
Baths
Located in the Curahuasi district, 135 km from Abancay
along the Abancay-Cuzco highway, about 3 h by car. 7 km
from the Curahuasi district (about 45 minutes). These
thermal baths, located on the left bank of the Apurimac
river at 1 970 m.a.s.l., are very popular due to their
medicinal properties. Lodging and restaurant facilities
available.
Saywite
Archaeological Complex
47 km from the city of Abancay (about 1 h by car) in the
Concacha community, Curahuasi district. The Saywite Monolith
is one of the best examples of Inca sculptures.
Choquequirao Archaeological
Complex
Geographically located in Vilcabamba, department of Cuzco.
Thanks to the construction of a footbridge over the Apurimac
river, the most direct access is through the Cachora district,
department of Apurimac, 93 km from Abancay. The journey
from Cachora to Choquequirao is on foot, a distance of
30 km, (an average of 15 h). Choquequirao is referred
to locally as the other Machu Picchu. |
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| OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST |
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| Kilkata thermal baths, the Pachachaca colonial
bridge, Pincahuacho thermal baths, Lakes Occocho and Lliullita,
among others |
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| GASTRONOMY |
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Typical dishe:
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Rocoto relleno (Bell pepper stuffed
with chopped meat, cheese, milk and potatoes). |
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Kapchi (Broad bean or mushroom stew or soup, with
potatoes, milk, eggs and cheese). |
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Uchullachua Potatoes (boiled potatoes with a hot
chili and huacatay sauce). |
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Trigo atamalado (Stewed wheat with shrimps, cheese,
boiled egg, potatoes and olives). |
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Huatia (different types of meat and potatoes cooked
with aromatic herbs on hot stones. |
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Cuy relleno (Guinea pig stuffed with chopped meat,
herbs and nuts). |
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| FESTIVITIES |
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Yawar Fiesta
(July)
In Ccoyllurqui (province of Cotabambas) the national holiday
celebrations begín with a type of bullfight that
has become a ritual. The fight is between a bull and a
condor, representing the Spanish and Andean people. Once
the condor kills the bull, thus ending the ritual, dancers
parade the streets all night carrying torches, and there
are firework displays.
Abancay
and Apurimac Carnival (April)
The population organizes and participates in various programmed
activities, particularly the so-called Corte de la Yunza,
to the tune of the local band and music, dressed in their
brightly colored typical costumes. Carnival celebrations
are similar in all province capitals, where the ceremonies
are in honor of Mother Earth (Pachamama) and the animals,
with much singing and dancing. The Rica-pallana or flower
picking carnival is outstanding. |
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| SERVICES |
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Airport
Andahuaylas
17 km from the town of Andahuaylas.
Land Transport
Abancay
Inter-provincial bus terminal
Av. Arenas 200.
Phone: (064) 32-1288.
Andahuaylas
Inter.-provincial bus stop
Av. Lázaro Carrillo block 1.
Health Centers
Abancay
Guillermo Días de la Vega Regional Hospital
Av. Daniel A. Carrión s/n
Phone: (064) 32-1117.
24 hour service
Andahuaylas
Auxiliary Hospital
Av. Hugo Pesce 180.
Phone: (064) 72-1706.
24 hour service.
Police Stations
Abancay
National Police Force Headquarters
Jr. Lima s/n.
24 hour service.
Abancay Police Station
Jr. Puno 209.
Phone: (064) 32-1222.
24 hour service.
Andahuaylas
Police Station
Av. Perú s/n.
Phone: (064) 72-1185.
24 hour service.
Handicrafts Markets
Abancay
Jr. Arequipa s/n, wholesale marketplace.
Post Office
Abancay
Jr. Arequipa 213.
Phone: (084) 32-1088.
Open: Monday-Friday 8:00-20:00, Sunday 8:00-15:00.
Andahuaylas
Av. Perú 243.
Phone: (084) 72-1062 / 72-1120.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-20:00, Sunday 8:00-15:00. |
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