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Ayacucho
A lost jewel of a colonial city, Ayacucho is a flourishing cultural community located in the remote Peruvian Andes. Although it is a favorite of Peruvians, it is often overlooked by tourists, who are put off by the difficult roads that lead there. Those who do make the journey, however, are amply rewarded: the city is packed with colonial churches and cathedrals, is conveniently located near Inca ruins, and boasts some of the best markets and most interesting local cuisine in

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A lost jewel of a colonial city, Ayacucho is a flourishing cultural community located in the remote Peruvian Andes. Although it is a favorite of Peruvians, it is often overlooked by tourists, who are put off by the difficult roads that lead there. Those who do make the journey, however, are amply rewarded: the city is packed with colonial churches and cathedrals, is conveniently located near Inca ruins, and boasts some of the best markets and most interesting local cuisine in Peru.  
The peaceful, relaxed atmopshere that pervades the city's streets and squares is a far cry from the tulmultuous Ayacucho of days gone by. During the 1980s and 1990s the city was the site of bloody fighting between the government and the Shining Path, Maoist revolutionaries led by Abimael Guzmán, a philosophy professor who worked in the city. Recently, however, the city seems to have shaken off its violent past and, thanks to municipal investment in colonial preservation, emerged a stronger, more brilliant city.
Surrounded by artisan villages and home to one of the oldest universities in the Americas, the city has rapidly developed into a popular cultural center. Among its local traditoins, Ayacucho is famous for hosting one of the most important Holy Week festivals in all of Peru. In the 10 days leading up to Easter Sunday, Ayacucho transforms into a city of flowered streets, processions, fireworks, dancing, and more. Peruvians and foreigners alike flood the city and all of the hotels are sold out: if you plan to attend, be sure to make arrangements (including transportation) in advance.
The city is also a great place to explore on foot. With an abundance of Renaissance and Baroque churches, colonial homes and interesting museums, the city is sure to keep you busy. To see everything Ayacucho has to offer, it is best to rise early, eat a hearty breakfast, and be sure to put on your walking shoes. Highlights of any city walk include: Santo Domingo, Santa teresa, San Cristóbal, La Universidad San Cristobal de Huamanga, Museo de Arte Popular, and Museo Arqueológico Hipólito Unanue. The lookout at Cerro Acuchimay also offers excellent views of the city. Even if you cannot cover all the sites above, you should definitely head to Barrio Santa Ana, a bustling artisan community graced with cobblestone streets and plenty of craft workshops.
When you've had your fill of Ayacucho's seemingly infinite sites, you can head to the Inca ruins of Vilcashuamán, once an important provincial capital. Tours of Vilcashuamán, and nearby Inca baths at Intihuatana, can be arranged with agencies in Ayacucho. The ruins at Huari also make for an interesting day trip, and can be combined with a visit to La Quinua, a small village 37 kilometers northeast of Ayacucho, which boasts some excellent handicrafts.
There is a small selection of hotels in Ayacucho, although there are options in every budget category. Many of the rates are quite reasonable, even at the fancier places. Be ware that rates will go up by as much as three times during Holy Week. 


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Things to See and Do in Ayacucho

Museo Arqueológico Hipólito Unánue

The small Museo Arqueológico Hipólito Unánue, set in the botanical garden of the Universidad, exhibits artifacts of the Wari, who were the rulers of these lands before the Inca conquest in the ...
Museum
Ayacucho, Peru

Museo de Arte Popular Joaquín López Antay

Named for Joaquín López Antay, one of Ayacucho’s great retablo artists, the Museo de Arte Popular features folk art from Ayacucho and surrounding villages. On display are textiles, filigreed ...
Museum
Ayacucho, Peru

Semana Santa in Ayacucho

Semana Santa, or Holy Week, Latin America’s most important religious holiday, begins on Palm Sunday and culminates on Easter Sunday. Ayacucho’s celebrations are amongst the most traditional. ...
Other Activity
Ayacucho, Peru

Ruinas Vilcashuamán and Baños Intihuatana

A four-hour (110-kilometer) bus journey south of Ayacucho brings you to Vilcashuamán (meaning Sacred Falcon), the Incan provincial capital at the crossroads of their Cusco-Pacific and north-south ...
Ruin
Ayacucho, Peru

Complejo Arqueológico Wari

Complejo Arqueológico Wari sprawls along the highway from Ayacucho to Quinua. Five signed entrances lead to the ruins of this once-great Wari capital. You can yet see the thick walls towering 12 ...
Ruin
Ayacucho, Peru
Ayacucho Hotels

Hostal Grau

Hostal Grau is located a few blocks from the mercado.  Climb the staircase to the reception, and you will be led to a sparse, gray-painted room--comfortable enough to lay your head during ...
Hotel
Ayacucho, Peru

La Crillonesa

The Residencial La Crillonesa, across from the main market three blocks from the Plaza de Armas, is a popular choice among budget travelers. It offers small rooms, a rooftop terrace with incredible ...
Hotel
Ayacucho, Peru
Ayacucho Restaurants

La Casona

If looking for food typical to the region, head to La Casona. This Peruvian restaurant serves up local specialities at very decent prices set in pleasant ...
Restaurant
Ayacucho, Peru

Nueva Era

For vegetarians, one of the best bets in town is Nueva Era. The menu includes fixed-price options. The restaurant offers good value for money and the food is very ...
Restaurant
Ayacucho, Peru

Mía Pizza

You'll be greeted with smiles and a "Buenas noches"-and the aroma of good, down-home Italian cooking. Pull up one of the wooden tables, warmed by the leña-fueled oven. Soon ...
Restaurant
Ayacucho, Peru

Urpicha

If you want to try such Peruvian specialties as roast cuy, ají de gallina or puca picante con chicharrón (potatoes swathed in a spicy peanut sauce, served with rice and pork), then you have come to ...
Restaurant
Ayacucho, Peru

Restaurant Cámara Comercio

Restaurant Cámara Comercio is popular amongst locals and budget travelers for one good reason: great, filling food at a cheap price. It serves the usual Peruvian lunch menú, consisting of ...
Restaurant
Ayacucho, Peru
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