Apurimac
From Wiki Sumaq Peru
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General information
The terrain in Apurimac is steep, formed by narrow, deep valleys with impressive abysses, cold plateaus, and high-mountain peaks. The Apurimac River Canyon that separates the Department of Cusco from the Department of Apurimac is the most extraordinary sight. Abancay, capital of Apurimac, is a beautiful Colonial city protected by the mighty snow covered Mount Ampay (5,235 masl), located in the sanctuary of the same name. The sanctuary contains, besides other snow capped mountains, mountain forests, beautiful lakes, and species of flora and fauna like the intimpa pine tree, the Andean fox, and the Andean deer.
The inhabitants of this department make a living primarily through agriculture, and they are descendents of diverse ethnic groups who were known for their warrior spirit. The area was also the scene of bloody confrontations between the rival neighboring tribes of the Chancas and the Incas.
From Abancay, there are numerous excursions available to the tourist: for example, the Saywite archeological site and the impressive Apurimac River valley and canyon, a paradise for those who love to white water raft or hike.
Another important city in Apurimac is the typical Andean city of Andahuaylas with its Main Square and narrow streets.
Ways to get there
Terrestrial
- Lima - Nazca - Puquio - Abancay: 912 km (14 hours by bus)
- Lima - Ayacucho - Andahuaylas - Abancay: 956 km (22 hours by bus)
Aerial
There is no direct scheduled flights. It is possible to arrive by air using the route Lima - Cuzco (1 minute) and then continue by road slice Cuzco - Abancay 198 km (4 hours and 30 minutes by car).
Tourist Site Attractions
It is interesting to visit:
- Archeological Park of Saywite
- Colonial Bridge of Pachachaca
- Colonial Churches of Mamara (Grau) and Caype (Lambrama)
- Stone Prison of Haquira (Cotabambas)
- View-point of Usnomocco
- Thermal Baths of Pincahuacho (Aymaraes)
- National Sanctuary of Ampay (Abancay)
- Canyon of Rio Apurimac (Curahuasi)
The Miscabamba street, one of the oldest streets of Abancay. Located between Nuñez Avenue and Micaela Bastidas Park. It was made during the time of the Independence.
The House of David Samanez Ocampo, declared historical monument in homage to the memory of such notable character of Peruvian history.
The Ecological Park of Taraccasa, known as El Mirador (view-point). Ideal place for observing the cities of Abancay and Tamburco.
The National Sanctuary of Ampay, located at 5 kilometers from Abancay. It is considered one of the natural and ecological attractions of Abancay. This Sanctuary has a varied wild fauna. An ideal place for eco-tourism: mountain, climbing, hiking and trekking.
The Snow-capped Mountain Ampay, majestic and imposing with its two snow-capped peaks at 5.228 and 5.221 m.a.s.l.
The Thermal Baths of Cconoc, located at 78 kilometers from Abancay and 120 kilometers from the city of Cusco, in the town of Curahuasi. These baths are famous for its curative powers. It has accomodations areas, restaurants and bar for the visitors.
In the province of Apurimac there are other thermal baths; among which are: The Thermal Baths of Kilkata. Also, in the forest of Titankas or Puyas de Raymondy and Queuña, located in the province of Aymaraes, there are the thermal baths of Pincahuacho.
Canyon of the River Apurimac, located in the Southwest Inca region, at 68 kilometers from Abancay. It has a deep slope, the deepest of Peru and America. From an impressing height, over 5.000 m.a.s.l., it comes down abruptly around 500 meters. It is one of the most beautiful and impressing spectacles of the region.
On the route Abancay-Cusco, it can see the deep precipices from which it can be see the Apurimac River, copious in the rainy season and calm in dry season. The surface extension of the valley itself along the Apurimac is about 350 kilometers long. It is ideal for practice tourism adventure, especially canoeing.
The Prison of Stone (Ccacca Carcel), located in the town of Haquira, province of Cotabambas. It is interesting to visit the Square of Arms of Haquira, it has a platform of stone of 12 meters wide by 15 meters high. In the middle there is a justice court of colonial style, in the lower part there are cells for men and women. This prison of stone was used in colonial times to incarcilate out-laws dangerous for the colony, and who violated the laws of the colonial period.
Archeological Sites
Archeological site of Saywite, ceremonial center and archeological place located in the community of Concacha, at 47 kilometers from the road Abancay-Cusco.
The monolith of Saywite is a sedimentary stone carved in high and low relief of 2,28 meters height. On the platforms it can see representations of animals and geometrical figures; like: animals, irrigations, platforms, lagoons and stairs.
300 meters away it can see other small monoliths like Rumihuasi or "House of Stone" with stairs, geometrical shapes and canals. And the Intihuatana "Sundial" that was possibly an Inca observatory used to observe the astronomical movements.
Archeological site of Sondor, or "Sitio Inca" (the Inca Place). It is located at 21 kilometers from the city Andahuaylas. It is a ceremonial center and archeological site located in the Pacucha district, at 30 minutes from Andahuaylas. According to studies, it has architectonical elements of monumental character.
The first discovery is Muyu Muyu Ruins, sacred promontory of Sondor; with stairs and restored terraces. At 500 stairs up, on the top of the central pyramid, there is a huaca where presumably human sacrifices took place.
In the Sondor Ruins, at present, the epopey of Chanka is represented. In which the leader Anccohuayllo marched against Cusco facing the menace of the Incas for his people.
Archeological site of Choquequirao, located at 120 kilometers from the city Andahuaylas. It is a ceremonial center and archeological site located in the province of Cusco, district of Vilcabamba. Due to its accessibility it is visited through the district of Cachora, from the county of Abancay. The place is considered a tourist attraction of big archeological importance.
This site is located at the west of the Salccantay Mountain, on the limit between the provinces of Cusco and Apurimac. It has an altitude of 3.500 m.a.s.l.., and 80 kilometers from the citadell of Machupicchu.
These archeological sites are touristic circuits from Cusco: Thermal Baths of Cconoc - Archeological Site of Saywite - Archeological Site of Choquequirao - Machupicchu "Camino Inka". Trial Inca Road.
Tourism Services
Airport
Andahuaylas:
Huancabamba AirporT Kilometer marker 15 of the Andahuaylas – Huancabamba Highway. Telephone: (083) 57-1533
Overland trasnport Abancay
Bus station: Avenida Juan Pablo Castro with Avenida Pachacutec
Andahuaylas: There is no bus station; however, most bus companies are found in: - First block of Avenida Lazaro Carrillo - Second block of Avenida Jose Maria Argueda - First block of Avenida Martinelli - First block of Avenida Andahuaylas
Health centers
Abancay:
Guillermo Diaz de la Vega Regional Hospital Avenida Daniel A. Carrion. Telephone: (083) 32-2247. Attention: 24 hours.
Andahuaylas:
Chanka Sub-regional Hospital Avenida Hugo Pesce 180. Telephone: (083) 72-1020 / 72-2545. Attention: 24 hours.
Local police
Abancay:
General Headquarters of the National Police of Peru Jiron Lima 1000. Telephone: (083) 32-1094. Attention: 24 hours
Abancay Police Station:
Jiron Puno. Telephone: (083) 32/1222. Attention: 24 hours
Andahuaylas
Andahuaylas Police Station Avenida Peru 198. Telephone: (083) 72-1671 / 72-1054. Attention: 24 hours
Craft markets
Abancay: Jiron Arequipa Mercado Central de Abastos
Postal services
Abancay: Jiron Arequipa 213. Telephone: (083) 32-1088. Attention: Mon. – Sat. 8:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M. and Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
Andahuaylas: Avenida Peru 243. Telephone: (083) 72-1062 / 72-1120. Attention: Mon. – Sat. 8:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M. and Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
Sites of interest
- Home Daniel Beams .- Photos of Apurimac.
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