The Carnaval de Pampamarca was declared a Cultural Heritage of the Nation because, as a local expression of the Andean carnival, it preserves original features of its organization and a distinctive musical expression. The declaration dates from 2020 and was reaffirmed in a regional government document in 2025. Its distinctive character thus lies both in the way the festival is organized and in its music.
Pampamarca: Festive Culture and Colonial History
The historic village of Pampamarca was the first village founded by the Spanish in Aymaraes Province; it was founded in 1578. Another historical period is represented by the Templo Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes de Pampamarca. The colonial church was built of adobe bricks and stone between 1781 and 1814 and features an altarpiece in the Mestizo Baroque style. Those interested in history can explore two distinct points in time in Pampamarca: the village’s founding in the 16th century and the church’s construction more than two centuries later.
Different architectural aspects also come together here: the building materials mentioned above and the Mestizo Baroque altarpiece. For travelers who enjoy getting to know places through their history and architectural styles, these details add a specific architectural dimension to their view of Pampamarca.
Highland Nature: Wildlife Habitats and Forest Trails
The Bosque de Piedras de Pilluni forest, in the community of San Miguel de Mestizas within Aymaraes, provides habitat for vicuñas, vizcachas, highland birds, llamas, and alpacas. For nature lovers, the variety of animal species found here offers a particular point of interest.
A different natural setting awaits you at the Bosque de Queuñas de Lankanki in Cotaruse. The forest covers approximately 51 hectares and lies at elevations between 3,600 and 4,200 meters in the Suni and Puna natural regions. Paths and trails lead into the forest. While Pilluni is characterized by its wildlife habitat, Lankanki’s elevation, natural regions, and forest trails provide specific points of reference for those interested in landscapes and forests.
Festivals and Practical Information
Chalhuanca adds another facet to Aymaraes’ festive culture. The Fiesta Mayor Señor de Ánimas, also known as the Fiesta Mayor de Apurímac, is a religious festival in the district of Chalhuanca, in Aymaraes Province. A procession through the city streets takes place on July 31. Comparing it with Pampamarca reveals two distinct focal points: there, the distinctive organization and music of the Andean carnival; here, a religious festival with a procession.
For the Baños Termales de Pincahuacho, the distance from the bus stop to Pincahuacho and the baths is 7 kilometers. A taxi ride along an unpaved road takes about 25 minutes. As road conditions and travel times can change, it is best to check both before setting out.
More Contrasts in the Wider Apurímac Destination
In the wider destination of Apurímac, the Bosque de Piedras de Pampachiri offers another type of landscape. It is also known as Pankula Pampa de Pabellones and covers approximately 60 hectares. Its rock formations are attributed to eruptions of the Qarwarasu and Sotaya volcanoes more than four million years ago. This adds a geological perspective to Aymaraes’ natural attractions within the wider destination.
Laguna de Pacucha is also in the wider Apurímac destination, in Andahuaylas Province. The lake provides habitat for silverside fish and farmed trout; various wild birds also live along its sandy, reed-lined shores. Visitors can rent bicycles and quad bikes or take a ride in a pedal boat or rowboat. Rental availability may change, so check locally.
The Carnaval o Pukllay also reflects the cultural diversity of Apurímac. The festival takes place in the area of the farming community of Pomacocha, in the district of Pomacocha, in Andahuaylas Province. On June 10, 2026, it was declared a Cultural Heritage of the Nation by Vice-Ministerial Resolution No. 167-2026-VMPCIC/MC. It preserves agricultural, livestock, musical, and ritual practices and is a representative expression of Apurímac’s intangible cultural heritage. The festival is a living tradition; individual activities and dates may vary. The name Carnaval thus appears in different local contexts: in Pampamarca, with its organizational features and musical expression; in Pomacocha, with a broader range of agricultural, livestock, musical, and ritual practices.
When looking for a vacation rental, the kind of discovery you have in mind can be a helpful guide: are you most interested in village history, church architecture, and festive culture, or in wildlife habitats and forest trails? This can help you tailor your search to your travel interests without reducing Aymaraes to a single theme.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Sañayca District, Chincheros, Andahuaylas Province.
Back to the overview of the wider destination: Apurímac.
