TOURS - TRADITIONAL TOURS -- Ayacucho City Tour -- The Zarcillo Connections, Overfligth Nasca Lines, visit wildlife at Paracas Reserve and raft the Colca Canyon

Ayacucho

Area : 43,815 km2

Population : 550,751 inhabitants

Capital : Ayacucho (2,746 a.s.l.)

Climate : Between 0° and 15°C

Ayacucho enoys excellent weather with sunshine most part of the year. It rains from December to March; coldest temperatures between May and June.One of its principal attraction is the whole Holly Week.

The city of Ayacucho is full of beautiful old temples, colonial houses, museums, besides a rich folklore and religious traditions.

Places to Visit

Churches

The exponent of the religiosity of this town is manifested through the old and beautiful Catholic temples, of high and architectural steeples, decorations in carved stone, paintings and finely elaborated images, toast and arches in the entrances... it is known as the city of the 33 churches.

• La Catedral
Of Baroque style. Its construction began in 1632 and ended in 1672, consecrated to the Virgen de las Nieves.
• Santo Domingo
This convent was founded in 1548, it still preserve the original piazza, while the current construction dates of the first years of the XVIII century.Its bells were the first ones greeting the last victory for the American emancipation.
• San Agustín
Of Renaissance architectural style. It was annexed to the convent in 1637 by the Augustinian Parents. At the moment they have the chaplaincy the Parents Salesianos. Among the squares of artistic value of their interior they highlight the three scenes of the Passion.
• The Company
Declared national monument, it is of simply beautiful, consistent and majestic architecture that shows a strong Baroque accent, while the altarpiece of the biggest Altar corresponds to the churrigueresque style.

Necessary time for this part of the tour: A complete day.

Quinua

Location: 35 km of Ayacucho 3,300 a.s.l.
With many ceramic stores, offers typical clay bulls and churches. Quinua offers natural landscapes and a site museum. Quinua celebrates its main festivity: the Virgin of Cocharcas on September 8.

»»» It is highly recommended to complete the circuit with Huamanguilla, a picturesque town with archaeological ruins and impressive landscapes.
One kilometer away from the city and at 3300 a.s.l. is the place where the Battle of Ayacucho took place on December 9th, 1824. This battle sealed the Continental America Independence from Spain. A commemorative shaft of 44 m. of height and the Condorcuncan Hill are the main attractions.

Necessary time to visit Quinua: 4 hours.

Huanta

Location: 50 km from Ayacucho
Known as "Andean Emerald", with exuberant vegetation, landscape and touristic sites. They celebrate many important dates as the "Party of the Crosses", the "Festival of the Avocado" (May) in Lauricocha and the "Regional Fair of Maynay" (September).

Necessary time to visit Quinua: 4 hours.