AYACUCHO

Altitude: 2,761 m (9,058 ft)
Climate: 12–25°C | Mild, rainy from December to March
How to get there: Bus from Lima (9 hrs) or flight (1 hr)

Ayacucho is one of Peru’s best-kept secrets. Known as the city of 33 churches (one for each year of Christ’s life), it blends stunning colonial architecture, vibrant traditions, and the finest handicrafts in the country. It’s less visited than Cusco but equally fascinating if you love history, culture, and art.

Holy Week in Ayacucho is one of the most famous in Peru — ten days of processions, flower carpets covering the streets, and candlelit celebrations. It’s an intense religious and cultural experience. If you plan to visit during this time, book your hotel months in advance, as the city fills up quickly.

The region is also celebrated for its Huamanga stone carvings, a translucent alabaster carved into intricate nativity scenes, churches, and Andean life motifs — delicate work that can take days or even weeks per piece.

Another iconic art form is the Ayacucho retablo, a hand-painted wooden box filled with miniature scenes. Originally religious, they now depict everything from festivals to daily life — colorful, symbolic, and deeply Peruvian.

Nearby lies the Pampa de la Quinua, site of the 1824 Battle of Ayacucho, which sealed South America’s independence. A giant obelisk stands over the plain, and the nearby village of Quinua is famous for its miniature ceramic churches placed on rooftops for good luck.

Travel Tip: Ayacucho is safe and peaceful, with warm and welcoming locals. Outside Holy Week, it’s relaxed and affordable. Handicrafts here are cheaper than in Cusco — and just as beautiful, if not better.