Semana Santa (Easter week) is the height of religious celebration for people throughout the Andes. Perhaps the greatest and most famous celebration can be found in Ayacucho. The passion, death and resurrection of Jesus is highly charged and the entire week is set for religious observance. The week kicks off… Read More →

Ayacucho Hotel Plaza– 9 de Diciembre 184,Tel: 62-812-202, hplaza@derrama.org.pe. It is the best hotel in Ayacucho and, although far from luxurious, it retains a high and mighty Colonial feel. Some rooms have balconies. It has 80 mediocre rooms with private hot-water baths, cable TV, and mini-fridges. A good restaurant and bar are also on the… Read More →

By Air Flights to Lima from Ayacucho(45 minutes, contact Star Peru, www.starperu.com or LC Peru, www.lcperu.com.pe, to book flights or for more information), usually only in the early mornings and only several times a week. Aeropuerto Coronel FAP Alfredo Mendivil Duarte – Ejercito 950, Tel: 62-31-2418. By Bus There isn’t a central… Read More →

Gastronomy in Ayacucho Qapchi – Potatoes, fresh Andean cheese, pepper, milk, oil, and onion. Mondongo – Corn-based soup with pork, red peppers, and mint. Puca Picante – Potatoes, beef, peanuts, and beet roots served in a hearty tomato-pepper sauce over white rice. Caldo de Cabeza – Literally “head soup.” Sheep’s… Read More →

The Plaza Mayor de Huamanga is surrounded on four sides by two story colonial buildings much like the plazas in Arequipa and Cuzco. Plaza Mayor has much more wide open however, and has a less cluttered, more peaceful feel to it. The City Cathedral (La Catedral – Mon-Sat 5-7 pm,… Read More →

Nearly cut off from the rest of the country during the years of terrorism, Ayacucho (Population 92,123, 2760 meters in altitude) the tourist center has now been freed. There is no more danger of coming here than anywhere else in Peru. The city is home to some of the most… Read More →

This small town of 25,000 (altitude: 3000 meters) seems little more than a peaceful stop between Cuzco and Ayacucho, but many visit and fall in love with Andahuaylas. The country charm and the beautiful scenery that surrounds the place are enchanting. The town itself has just a few hotels and… Read More →

The Apurimac region is little explored. The capital of Abancay (population: 100,000, Altitude: 2378 meters) has little to offer other than a rest in between the trip from Cuzco and Ayacucho and a base for excursions into the surrounding countryside. Santuario Nacional Ampay, home to Ampay mountain (5228 meters) and… Read More →

Central Andes Highlights Baños del Inca – The near boiling hot baths are where the Inca Atahualpa once bathed are now a huge complex of relaxation in Cajamarca. Kuelap – The remote citadel shrouded in mist and mystery may become the next Machu Picchu. Chavin de Huantar – The most… Read More →

Yurimaguas (population 40,000 ) is the nearest major port to Iquitos and the one with the most frequent water transportation. It is the biggest port on the Rio Huallaga, but still very minor compared with the likes of Iquitos and Pucallpa. The market is quite lively in the mornings before… Read More →