Andahuaylas is known as the prairie of the colorful sky at sunset. It is a lively city surrounded by the countryside, abundant trees and an impressive array of green shades; it is the perfect scenery for rest and renewal of the spirit.
It is the ideal destination for nature watching and adventure lovers who can enjoy a wide range of natural attractions and activities, such as: fishing, hunting, paragliding, hang-gliding, canoeing, horseback riding, hiking, and exploring caves, ruins, streams, waterfalls, rock formations and hot springs.
Antahuaylla, the word from which the name of the city of Andahuaylas comes from, is originated by the conjunction of two QUECHUA words: Anta, which means copper, and which is also used to describe the color of the sky at sunset, as it is similar to the color of copper itself; and Huaylla, which means prairie. Therefore, Antahuylla means Prairie of the sky at sunset.
Tourist Attractions
Feast of the Pukllay
The communards and the “chacareros” (Andean farmers, owners of small plots) that inhabit the heights of the provinces of Ayacucho and Apurimac, keep this very ancestral, very rooted - yet not very widespread - feast. The Feast of the Pukllay, a QUECHUA word which means "play", sums up the essence of a carnival.
And as with any carnival, there are characters that play specific roles - many of them are allegories of the daily customs of the people - without which the ceremony would not be the same. The main characters in this event are the warma pukllay (the playful youngsters). With joy and elegance, they symbolize the fertility, welfare and mate-matching, all at the same time. But this celebration, which dates back to prehispanic times, is not only seen as entertainment or as a pastime for the residents of these communities. As in many other Andean traditions, the Pukllay is also a traditional way of giving thanks to mother earth and nature, and it is always held during the months of February and March. This means it is a part of their culture and it is done in recognition of their ancestors.
Colonial Bridge of Chumbao
This bridge is located in the city of Andahuaylas, spreading out over the Chumbao River.
It allows access to reach the airport of Huancabamba and the areas of Pampachiri, Puquio, Nazca and Lima. Following the style rules of colonial architecture, it was built using ashlar stone and the gateways are properly carved to fit in with the style.
Sondor Archeological Complex
Located 5 Kilometers away from Andahuaylas (30 minutes by car), this modern chapel which construction was completed in 1995 attracts many devotees and faithful, especially on the central day, September 14th. It
constitutes a natural viewpoint, from which one can see the city of Andahuaylas and the rich landscape of the Chumbao Valley.
Pacucha Lagoon
21 km northeast of the city of Andahuaylas (30 minutes by car), you reach the Pacucha lagoon and then walk 2 km (a 30 minute walk) to the archaeological site. The complex is 10 hectares in size and is located over 3200 meters meters above sea level. The buildings originally belonged to the Chanca culture (600-900 AD), but were later occupied by the Incas; they are shaped as pyramids and are surrounded by walls and terraces that lead to platforms with wide open spaces. Apparently, there might have been religious activities in Sondor, which would explain the location and the shape of the central pyramid and its strategic view to the Pacucha Lagoon.
