Things to Do in Andahuaylas

A single-arched stone bridge built by the Spanish in the 16th century, still carrying foot traffic over the Chumbao River. The cobblestones are worn smooth. Locals cross it with bags of potatoes or flowers.

🕐 24 hours

💡 Stand on the south side and look upstream for the best photo — the bridge frames the Cerro de la Virgen in the background. Best light is between 7 and 8 am.

A short, steep climb up a cobbled lane beside the Iglesia San Pedro leads to a concrete viewpoint with a metal cross. You get a full panorama of the city below, the Chumbao River valley, and surrounding mountains.

🕐 Dawn to dusk

💡 Climb up just before sunset (around 5:30 pm). The light on the adobe roofs turns orange, and the wind drops. Don't lean too far over the railing — it's not tied down.

The main square, ringed by towering eucalyptus trees and the cathedral. Benches fill with elderly men playing dominoes, shoe-shiners, and women selling bags of roasted corn. There's always a bit of life here, even at midday.

🕐 24 hours

💡 Come at 6 pm on Sunday for the free brass band concert in the gazebo. Grab a sopa seca from the stall on the north corner beforehand.

A large, calm lake at 3,100 metres, set among rolling hills. Local families come to picnic, swim, or paddle reed boats on weekends. The water is cold but clear.

🕐 24 hours

💡 Go on a Sunday morning when local vendors sell fresh trout empanadas from stalls near the shore. Bring suncream — the altitude burn is real.

A small, dusty municipal museum with three rooms of pre-Inca pottery, stone tools, and mummies from the Chanca culture. Labels are handwritten and in Spanish only.

🕐 Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, Sat 8am-12pm

💡 Entry costs about 5 soles (less than £1). Ask the guard to turn on the lights in the back room — they're often off. The mummy bundle there is the most interesting piece.