APURIMAC

GENERAL DATA

Location: The department of Apurímac is located in the southeast part of the Peruvian central Andes.
Area: 20 891 km2
Capital: Abancay (2 378 masl)
Altitude: 2 378 masl (Abancay) Lowest town.
3 952 masl (Pataycampa) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 18º C (25º C maximum and 12º C minimum). Rainy season: November to March.

ACCESS ROUTES

By land: The most advisable route is Lima-Nasca-Puquio-Abancay (912 km), about 14 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 7 h by car.

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

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 (5 240 masl), 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.

OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY

Ampay National Sanctuary

Located 6 km north of Abancay, 3 500 masl and covers an area of 364 Ha. 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 oleifolius), the only coniferous species of its kind in the country, currently in the process of extinction.

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.purímac River Canyon.
90 km northeast of Abancay, about 2 h by car.
At 2 500 masl. 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 masl, 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) at 2 400 masl in the Concacha community, Curahuasi district. The Saywite Monolith is one of the best examples of Inca sculptures.

GASTRONOMY

Typical dishes:

• Rocoto relleno (Bell pepper stuffed with chopped meat, cheese, milk and potatoes).
• Kapchi (Broad bean or mushroom stew or soup, with potatoes, milk, eggs and cheese).
• Uchullachua Potatoes (boiled potatoes with a hot chili and huacatay sauce).
• Trigo atamalado (Stewed wheat with shrimps, cheese, boiled egg, potatoes and olives).
• Huatia (different types of meat and potatoes cooked with aromatic herbs on hot stones.
• Cuy relleno (Guinea pig stuffed with chopped meat, herbs and nuts).

FESTIVALS

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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