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Pukllay Carnival in Andahuaylas, Peru

El carnaval de Abancay es una celebración que honra a las tradiciones locales
Abancay Carnival, Peru
Los participantes del Gran Concurso de los Carnavales de San Pablo en Cusco dan a conocer su cultura y tradición a través del baile, música y vestuario
San Pablo Carnival in Cusco, Peru

 

What is the Pukllay Carnival?

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The Pukllay Carnival is one of the most emblematic celebrations of the city, since it celebrates the cultural and ethnic diversity through the different arts and the colors. These festivities have taken more and more strength through the years, extending its celebration to other countries in the region and the world.

The festival is a ritual of thanksgiving to the different aspects of life, to the crop, the land, the future or the Pacha Mama, since it is a celebration that involves diverse social and cultural groups. On festival days, agreat parade is held along the main thoroughfares of the town for the groups to manifest theirculture and traditions through dancing, music and their dress.

 

 

Pukllay Carnivals is a relatively young project that provides spaces for different communities to make themselves known through their artistic performances. The project is growing more and more, consolidating the goal of a more integral and diverse festivities.

 

The Pukllay carnival is a space for the different groups of the country and the region to express their traditions through music and dance

The Pukllay carnival is a space for the different groups of the country and the region to express their traditions through music and dance

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When is the Pukllay Carnival?

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The Pukllay Carnival is a celebration that takes place between the months of February and March.

 

 

History of the Pukllay Carnivals

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The Pukllay Carnival arises due to a project devised in 1993 by Isaac Vivanco Tarco and carried out for the first time in 2003 with the aim of promoting and developing the Chanka culture through art.



After about 5 years of tradition, the project began to be funded by theregional government. As the project began to grow and gain spaces, it began to include groups from the region, the country and finally from other countries.

 

Where is the Pukllay Carnival

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The Pukllay Carnival is held in the city of Andahuaylas, located in the department of Apurimac.

 

The carnival of Pukllay is a space for groups to perform dances of cultural representation

The carnival of Pukllay is a space for groups to perform dances of cultural representation

 

How the Pukllay Carnival is celebrated

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The Pukllay Carnival is a festival of colors, it can be noticed in the streets of the city with the costumes of the participants who come from all parts of Peru and the brother countries.

The celebrations begin from before the official start of the carnival with the encounter of the carnival, followed by the launching of the Pukllay carnival. Likewise, the respective Thursday of Comadres and Compadres typical of the Peruvian carnival take place.

 

 

Once the official carnival has begun, theentrance of the Ño Carnavalón takes place, following with the Gran Yunza municipal placing the respective trees decorated with serpentines, balloons and gifts. Finally, the children’s carnival meetings, various contests and the Miss Pukllay election take place.

Later on, the main parade or pasacalle del carnaval takes place along the main thoroughfares of the city, where all thegroupings from the different regions of the country are involved to present their traditional dances and typical clothing garments. After this, the rural and regional carnival meeting takes place.

Finally, the closing ceremony takes place with the participation of dances for the last time of all the regional, national and international groups.

 

Tips for going to the Pukllay Carnivals

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We recommend that, if you wish to attend the Pukllay Carnival, you plan your trip in advance, make a travel itinerary with the activities you want to do and book the accommodation of your choice as soon as possible.

If you want to know more about tourism in this country, I recommend this guide:

 

Events in Pukllay Carnival

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The carnival formally begins with the reception of national delegations who come to participate in the festivities. After this, the ceremony of election and coronation of Miss Pukllay takes place in the Plaza de Armas de Andahuaylas..

After this, theGrand Parade or Grand International Parade takes place with the participation of all the groupings, delegations and comparsas that make up this carnival called “Carnaval Originario“. Within this event, which crosses the main roads of the city, you can observe each of the groups performing typical dances of their culture and ethnicity, while moving to the rhythm of their traditional music and wearing sacred and traditional garments for their culture.

 

 

Likewise, theRegional and Rural Encounter takes place in the Estadio los Chankas with all the groups of the region and rurality that also make the respective representation of their dances and music.

Finally, theclosing ceremony takes place at the Estadio los Chankas with a repertoire of dances and music of all the rural, regional and international delegations, thus ending the carnivals of the edition.

 

The Pukllay carnival is a space for cultural development among different ethnic groups and cultures of the country and the region

The Pukllay carnival is a space for cultural development among different ethnic groups and cultures of the country and the region

 

Pukllay Carnival Parades

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The main parade is carried out thanks to the participation of all the groupings and delegations from every corner of the country and sister countries, who with all the effort perform a repertoire of traditional dances and dances that represent their culture and ethnicity. The presentations are accompanied by typical music and costumes, which makes these festivities a unique multicultural event worthy of admiration.

 

Parade route

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The Pukllay carnival project integrates different communities of the country in a parade route that occupies the main roads

The Pukllay carnival project integrates different communities of the country in a parade route that occupies the main roads

 

The main parade or Gran Pasacalles Internacional takes place in the main roads of the town.

 

Las humintas are a typical dish of the region

Las humintas are a typical dish of the region

 

What to eat at the Pukllay Carnival

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One of the typical foods of the town are the Humintas, a dough made of corn seasoned and cooked over firewood wrapped in corncob leaves. You can also try the cuy chactado, a dish consisting of roasted Cuy accompanied by tubers or other side dishes of choice.

Some of the options for eating out that the city offers are: Micaella / Restaurant & Bar, Puma de Piedra and Cebicheria PUNTO MARINO.

 

El cuy chactado es un plato típico de la región

El cuy chactado es un plato típico de la región

 

Travel Insurance

 

From Carnavalesdelmundo.org we recommend to hire a good insurance to visit this carnival and to know the rest of the country. For being our readers we offer a 5% discount on all IATI insurances. Read more information about all insurance offers here:

 

 

What to see and do inside the Pukllay Carnival

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Within the carnivals you have a plethora of activities to participate in. First, you can attend the crowning of the Queen. Also, you have the opportunity to see the entrance of all the participating groups and the children’s carnival gatherings. Finally, you can’t miss the opportunity to watch the Gran Pasacalles where all the national, rural and international groups participate and see the large number of repertoires they have to offer, along with traditional costumes and music.

If you don’t want to complicate things, here you can book interesting excursions in Spanish in this city:.

Guided tours in Spanish around the world

 

What to see and do outside the Pukllay Carnivals

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Some of the attractions the city has to offer you are:

 

Municipal Museum of Andahuaylas

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It is an archaeological museum that has a large collection of ceramics and mummies.

 

Sondor Archaeological Complex

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This is an archaeological enclosure that comprises 10 hectares. Here you will find a series of structures dating from 2 thousand years BC.

 

Thermal baths of Santo Tomás

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They are located adjacent to the Pachachaca River and are composed of water springs distributed in pools with a variety of minerals. They are believed to be beneficial for people with ailments.

In addition, if you want to visit museums and important buildings in this city we recommend that you book your entrance ticket in advance through Tiquets: .

Book tickets in the city you are visiting

 

Safety at Pukllay Carnivals

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The locality of Andahuaylas is relatively safe. However, due to some geopolitical problems in nearby areas, it is best to access with caution. Be sure to have the recommendation of the different security agencies to ensure that it meets the minimum security conditions.

It is always a good idea to keep your personal belongings in a safe place to avoid theft and misplacement. Also, we recommend the following products to store your items safely:

 

 

Weather at Pukllay Carnival

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During the carnival celebrations, the town of Andahuaylas is somewhat cold, with temperatures ranging between 7 and 18 degrees Celsius. We advise you to bring some warm clothes if you decide to celebrate carnivals.

 

The country's different groups gather at the Pukllay carnival to celebrate plurality

The country’s different groups gather at the Pukllay carnival to celebrate plurality

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How to get to the Pukllay Carnival

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How to get there by plane

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The closest airport to Andahuaylas is Coronel FAP Alfredo Mendívil Duarte Airport which receives flights mainly from Lima. Once here, you can use the different means of transportation to reach the town.

We recommend buying airline tickets through Kiwi.com or Skyscanner where they are usually cheaper. More information on this link to review Kiwi.com..

 

How to get there by bus

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From Airport Coronel FAP Alfredo Mendívil Duarte, take a bus through the route Ayacucho-Chincheros-Andahuaylas. The trip takes 6 and a half hours.

In Lima you can take a bus from Grupo Palomino that takes you directly to Andahuaylas. The trip takes 14 hours.

From Cusco you can take a bus directly to Andahuaylas. The trip takes 8 hours.

 

How to get there by car

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From the airport take Road 3S to the city. The drive is almost 5 hours.

In Lima take Roads 28A and 3S to Andahuaylas. The trip takes 13 and a half hours.

From Cusco take Road 3S to the city. The trip takes 7 hours and 20 minutes.

 

Where to stay at Pukllay Carnival

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Booking.com

 

Hotel Conquistador

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3-star hotel 200 meters from the city center. Rooms have cable TV and private bathrooms. Parking is available at the hotel.

 

Hotel Residencial El Eden de Adán y Eva

3-star hotel 100 meters from the center. Rooms feature cable TV, desk and private bathroom. Parking is available on site.

 

La Mansión Casa Hotel

3-star hotel 1.4 km from the city. Rooms have satellite TV and private bathrooms. The facilities offer free parking.

We recommend you use Booking.com to book hotels at a good price, check more information here:.



 

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