Ayacucho

CULTURE

Arequipa: Andean cities with colonial heritage

Ayacucho invites you to visit one of the most impressive historical centers of the southern Andes, where every corner holds history, art and tradition. Its 33 colonial churches, with golden altarpieces and baroque facades, reflect the colonial splendor that marked the city. The Plaza de Armas, surrounded by large houses and stone portals, is the cultural hub and social, presided by the majestic Cathedral of the seventeenth century. Visit the Triumphal Arch, symbol of independence, the Regional Historical Museum with pieces of the Wari culture, and the House Museum of the Altarpiece, dedicated to the art of Joaquin Lopez Antay. Churches like Santo Domingo and the Temple of the Company of Jesus stand out for their architecture and sacred art. Ayacucho is a trip to the past with a living Andean essence. 

Waris and Incas: Great pre-Hispanic civilizations

Ayacucho invites you to discover its archaeological jewels. Very close to the city of Ayacucho, the Wari Archaeological Complex was the capital of the Wari culture (600-1100 A.D.), the first great Andean state, before the Inca Empire. Its monumental walls, subterranean passages andThe Intihuatana complex, with its museums and site museum, reveals their knowledge. Further south, the Intihuatana - Pumacocha Complex belongs to the Inca culture (1438-1532 A.D.) and was built during the Inca period (1438-1532 A.D.).taca for its ceremonial architecture next to a sacred lagoon, with a solar tower, ritual baths and views that connect heaven and earth. 

Pikimachay Caves

Pikimachay Cave, located north of Ayacucho, is one of the oldest archaeological sites in Peru and South America. With evidence of human occupation up to 20,000 years old, this place is key to understanding the origins of the first Andean societies. To visit it is to enter the prehistory of the continent, in a natural environment that combines deep history and high Andean landscape. 

Scissors Dance: UNESCO World Heritage Site

The dance of the scissors is one of the most impressive cultural expressions of Ayacucho and was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Performed by dancers who execute acrobatics to the rhythm of violin and harp while making their metal scissors sound, this dance mixes art, dexterity and spirituality. To witness it in Andean festivities is to live an ancestral tradition full of strength, identity and connection with the sacred. 

NATURE

Exploration trails:

Ayacucho offers you an unforgettable experience between nature and living memory. The Forest of Titankayocc stands out for being the largest in Peru with Puyas Raimondi, impressive Andean plants that reach up to 12 meters high. Nearby, the Pampa Galeras - Bárbara D'Achille National Reserve protects the vicuña in its natural habitat, in landscapes of puna and fresh air. Explore the Sondondo Valley, which surprises with its ideal climate and eucalyptus forests, watch condors and admire ingenious pre-Inca terraces. And in Quinua, the Historical Sanctuary of the Pampa de Ayacucho commemorates the battle that sealed Peru's independence. 

Water that creates and connects

Ayacucho surprises you with landscapes of water and altitude that dazzle with their beauty. The Pumacocha Lagoon, next to the Intihuatana archaeological complex, offers a serene environment surrounded by history. Further south, the Parinacochas lagoon, at the foot of the Sara Sara volcano, is home to Andean flamingos and has been considered sacred since pre-Hispanic times. The Pachapupum volcano lagoon with sulfur-rich water and a temperature between 35° and 40° C reflects unique landscapes. The turquoise waters of Millpu form natural pools between limestone canyons. And ddiscover the Ruqruqa Waterfall in Ayacucho, a hidden paradise ideal for hiking, photos and contact. natural. 

ANCESTRAL COMMUNITIES AND RURALITY

Ayacucho is a living land of native peoples, where Quechua and Ashaninka maintain a strong presence in more than 580 localities, representing 62.6 % of its population. When visiting its communities, In the Amazon, you will discover millenary traditions that intertwined with colonial influence, giving rise to a unique syncretism. This fusion is reflected in their art, celebrations and way of daily life, offering the visitor an authentic experience that connects with the spirituality, history and cultural diversity of the Andes and the Amazon.  

Holidays:

Ayacucho invites you to experience its most emblematic festivities, where tradition becomes celebration. In March or April, Holy Week transforms Huamanga into a scene of faith with ten days of processions, music and popular fervor. In February, the Ayacucho Carnivals fill neighborhoods and towns with processions, dances and joy. In September, the Feast of the Virgin of Cocharcas in Vilcashuamán summons thousands of devotees in a great pilgrimage. And every December 9, in The Historical Sanctuary of the Pampa de Ayacucho commemorates the historic battle for South American independence with stagings of the battle of Ayacucho. 

GASTRONOMY

Traditional Andean cuisine

The gastronomy of Ayacucho invites you to savor ancestral recipes full of identity. Don't miss the pachamanca, cooked underground with aromatic herbs and mixed meats, accompanied by of potatoes, beans, sweet potato and corn, all in the ancestral heat. Try the traditional spicy puca, a reddish stew of potatoes, peanuts and chili, accompanied by crispy pork rinds. Enjoy qapchi, a fresh potato, cheese and huacatay salad, and mondongo ayacuchano, thick and tasty, made with corn and tender meats. Accompany everything with a comforting Ayacucho punch, a hot drink made with peanuts, milk and spices, ideal for the cold Andean mornings.

CRAFTS

Ayacucho invites you to discover a vibrant folk art full of history. Ayacucho's retablos, colorful boxes with religious and traditional scenes, are living symbols of Andean identity. The Tablas de Sarhua, declared Cultural Heritage of Peru, narrate family genealogies in colorful paintings on wood. The Quinua pottery, made in adobe ovens, offers figures in relief.and utilitarian with great aesthetic value. Huamanga's stone carvings, made on alabaster, give shape to delicate images that combine tradition, faith and master craftsmanship. You cannot miss the handicrafts from the native Ashaninka community of Anato that surprises with its varieties such as jewelry, earrings, handbags and ponchos. Take with you art with tradition. 

Ayacucho Embroidery: Andean Weavings

Ayacucho embroidery dazzles with its intense colors and designs full of Andean symbolism. Handmade with cotton or wool threads, it adorns garments, accessories and textile works with flowers, birds and traditional figures. Each stitch reflects identity and creativity. To wear Ayacucho embroidery is to wear a living work of art, made with history and heart.