Cuzco & the Sacred Valley - Peru - page 563

mostly in the afternoon and between 10:30pm and midnight. Departures to Andahuaylas
(S10, five hours) cluster around 11:30am and 11:30pm. The faster, more comfortable
minibuses to Andahuaylas (S20, four hours) are a little bit reckless.
Terminal departure tax is S1. Taxis go to the center (S3).
Andahuaylas
083 / POP 6800 / ELEV 2980M
Andahuaylas, 135km west of Abancay on the way to Ayacucho, is the second-most im-
portant town in the department of Apurímac, and a convenient halfway stop on the rough
but scenic route between Cuzco and Ayacucho.
Sights & Activities
Andahuaylas' main attraction, the beautiful Laguna de Pacucha , is 17km from town and
accessible by bus or taxi. About 15km past the end of the lake is the imposing hilltop site
of Sondor , built by the Chanka culture. The Chankas were traditional enemies of the In-
cas, but evidently shared their appreciation of a good view. You can easily access both the
lake and the ruin by catching a microbus to Sondor (S3, one hour) from the corner of Av
Martinelli and Av Casafranca. Go in the morning - transport peters out by 4pm. You can
also take a taxi.
Both Andahuaylas and Pacucha have Sunday markets that are worth perusing.
Festivals & Events
The annual Fiesta de Yahuar (Blood Feast) is on July 28, when traditional dances and
music are performed. In the village of Pacucha, the festival includes lashing a condor to
the back of a bull and allowing the two to fight in a representation of the highland
people's struggle against the Spanish conquistadors.
Sleeping
You can't always expect a hot shower in an Andahuaylas hotel, but you can undoubtedly
count on cable TV. Go figure.