Location: Ayacucho is located at 2,750 meters or 9,000 ft. above sea level in the Southern Andes.

Climate: It’s sunny during the day and cold at night (especially from May to August).  The mean temperature is 17°C (63°F) and it’s rainy from December to March, the rest of the year it’s dry.

Landscapes: From Ayacucho you can go to "Pampas Galeras", a national reserve created to protect the “vicuñas” (a small kind of llama with a very fine and expensive wool) in its natural habitat. There is the largest population of these llamas, as well as pumas, foxes, Andean deer, etc.

History: Ayacucho is very important in the Peruvian history for many reasons. First of all, it was found here in a cave the remains of the first caveman of ancient Peru (20,000 B.C.). Secondly, it was home of the first empire in South America, the Wari (600 A.D.). Nowadays, you can visit the ruins of the city that was the capital of this empire. Finally, the Incas conquest these territories and built an important temple named Vilcashuaman that stays on feet until now. 

But the history of these lands isn't related only with the ancient times. The city of Huamanga, nowadays known as Ayacucho, was also important in the Spanish colony, the reason was its mercury mines. Many wealthy families settled in this city, and many mansions, churches and even an university were built here. Remains of this time are the Cathedral, La Compania church and many other mansions from the 17th century that can be visited in the city.

Finally, outside of Huamanga city is the “Pampas de la Quinua”  where the battle for the independence of Peru between the patriots and the Spaniards took place. The victory was for the patriots and it sealed the independence of South America. It is a huge monument in the place of the battle.

Customs and feasts:  Of all the festivals celebrated in Ayacucho, Easter is the most spectacular. During an entire week, the whole city and its people is dedicated to the celebrations that includes solemn masses, processions and fireworks. The main days are Friday and Saturday, on the first one the whole streets in the main square turn off the lights at night and a procession of people carrying big candles shows up in the street, it is overwhelming. On Saturday, it's a big party in the main square, with music bands playing in the streets, a contest of fireworks, and finally at 4 am on Sunday, the doors of the Cathedral opens for the last service of Easter, and the last procession starts at 5 am. It aren't words enough to describe it.

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