Explore the province of Paucartambo

Paucartambo is a province of Cusco famous for hosting the festival in honor of the Virgen del Carmen. There you can also visit archaeological sites and the viewpoint of Tres Cruces de Oro, discover them!

1 Tres Cruces

Three golden crosses is a viewpoint located in Paucartambo, Cusco. It is known as the most beautiful sunrise in the world. It is in the Manu National Park.

Tres Cruces

The province of Paucartambo

Paucartambo is one of the thirteen provinces of Cusco. The districts that make up this province are: Huancarani, Kosñipata, Colquepata, Challabamba, Caicay and Paucartambo. The latter is the capital of the province.

The territory of this province has a high Andean part and another large part belonging to the jungle region, specifically with the Manu National Park. Its territory covers an area of approximately 6,925 square kilometers. According to the 2017 census, it has a population of 42,504 inhabitants.

Its name comes from the Quechua word ‘Pawqartampu’ which means ‘colorful tambo’. During the Inca period it played a major role as a trading point between Cusco and the ‘anti’ or jungle region. Currently many of its traditions are preserved both Inca, colonial as well as the different ethnic groups from the jungle.

Agriculture is the main economic activity in Paucartambo. Potatoes, wheat and corn are the main crops. Only five percent of the population lives in the city of Paucartambo. The rest live in the towns scattered throughout the province.

The most traditional face of the province is seen in the festivities. And the most traditional festival of the whole province is the ‘Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen’ which takes place every year between July 15 and 18.

Paucartambo has several tourist attractions such as the archaeological sites of Mauk Allaqta, the petroglyphs of Kosñipata, the chullpas of Ninamarca or Watoqto. However, the most famous site is the Akhanacu viewpoint from where the so-called ‘most beautiful sunrise in the world’ can be appreciated.

Location

Paucartambo is located on the eastern fringe of the Andes Mountains, 110 kilometers by road from the city of Cusco.

The province is bordered to the north by the department of Madre de Dios, to the east and south by the province of Quispicanchi and to the west by the province of Calca.

The city of Paucartambo, the capital of the province, is located 2,906 meters above sea level. Geographically, it is located on the banks of the Mapcho River. It is the gateway to the southern jungle, the Manu National Park.

How to get there?

To get to the city of Paucartambo from the city of Cusco, you must take the public transportation buses that leave from the ‘Diagonal Angamos’ avenue.

The trip takes approximately 3 hours. The cost of the route is approximately 20 Peruvian soles (about 6 U.S. dollars on average).

Map

History of Paucartambo

Paucartambo has a history prior to the appearance of the Incas. This territory was occupied by several ethnic groups such as the Pokes, Lares and Wallas. Later in the fifteenth century it was added to the nascent Inca empire for whom this territory was very important for the constant trade with the remote ethnic groups of the jungle.

Already in colonial times, some defeated Inca peoples (such as the Japo, Kijo or Q’eros) took refuge in the difficult limits of the eastern cordillera. In 1565, the Spaniards established the township of Paucartambo, of great importance for the production of food from both the highland and jungle geographies of Cusco.

On June 21, 1825, after the declaration of Independence of Peru, the province of Paucartambo was created under the order of the liberator Simón Bolívar. On June 21, 1825, after the declaration of Independence of Peru, the province of Paucartambo was created under the order of the liberator Simón Bolívar.

Tourist attractions

These are the main tourist attractions of the province of Paucartambo:

• Three golden crosses – At 40 kilometers by road from the city of Paucartambo is the Akhanacu viewpoint from where a beautiful sunrise can be appreciated. Every winter solstice (end of June) a rare phenomenon called ‘white ray’ can be seen there. That morning the sun appears as a mirage divided in three as if they were ‘three golden crosses’. It is considered the ‘most beautiful sunrise in the world’.
• The petroglyphs of Kosñipata – These mysterious petroglyphs are in the district of Kosñipata, 95 kilometers from the city of Paucartambo in the jungle of Cusco. It is also called petroglyphs of Hinkiori. It has zoomorphic figures on rocks. Together with the petroglyphs of Pusharo (in Madre de Dios), they are the only cave paintings in the Madre de Dios river basin found to date.
• The chullpas of Ninamarca – These striking constructions are located in the district of Colquepata (near the town of Ninamarca), 141 kilometers by road from the city of Paucartambo. There you can appreciate up to thirty chullpas (tower with funerary purposes) belonging to the pre-Inca period.
• Watoqto – This archaeological site is located just 18 kilometers from the city of Paucartambo. It is a tambo or administrative enclosure that communicated the region of Paucartambo (the antisuyo) with the city of Cusco, capital of the Tahuantinsuyo. Its adobe and stone structures have niches, stairways, terraces and rooms.

The climate

The province of Paucartambo has a diverse climate due to its mountainous and jungle geography with different altitudinal levels. Its capital, the city of Paucartambo, is located at 2,906 meters above sea level. Its climate is temperate-humid with temperatures ranging from a maximum of 24ºC. and a minimum of 4ºC. Rainfall is more intense from November to April, especially in January, February and March.

Photo Gallery

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More information

The biggest festival in the province is the one held in honor of the Virgen del Carmen. This festival stands out for its many picturesque dances. You can also appreciate gastronomic fairs, music shows, processions and a lot of excitement among the population in general. It takes place every year from July 15 to 18. The central day is July 16.

The entrance fee to the ‘Tres Cruces de Oro’ viewpoint is 10 Peruvian soles. This is because the viewpoint is located in the Manu National Reserve. During your visit you can enjoy the landscapes and richness of flora and fauna of this Amazonian region of Peru.

A few tips

During your visit to Paucartambo do not forget to bring a hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, comfortable clothes, poncho in case of rain, snacks, drinks, documents and cash.

Few tours include Paucartambo in their itinerary. The most important are those that include the visit to Tres Cruces de Oro (June 20, 21 or 22). Some services also target the Virgen del Carmen Festival (July 16).