Top Things to do in Ayacucho Region
Countries
What to do and see in Ayacucho Region, Ayacucho Region: The Best Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Ayacucho Region, Peru including Aguas Turquesas Millpu, Complejo Arqueologico de Vilcashuaman, Complejo Arqueologico Wari, Obelisco de la Pampa de la Quinua, Plaza Mayor de Ayacucho, Basilica Catedral de Ayacucho, Reserva Nacional Pampa Galeras Barbara D'Achille, Museo de la Memoria, Mirador turistico de Acuchimay, Plazoleta Maria Parado de Bellido.
Restaurants in Ayacucho Region
1. Aguas Turquesas Millpu
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By mariedragon - Huaraz, Peru
We visited the Millpu Canyon on a day trip from Ayacucho with the travel agency Huancaraylla Tours. We were very satisfied with the experience and would recommend going on a tour rather than independently, because it is easier that way and the tour allows more than enough time at the site to make the most of it. It is a very long drive (3 and a half hours each way) on an extremely windy road to get to Millpu. If you get motion sickness I strongly recommend that you take some medication, because almost no part of the road is straight. Once at Millpu the guide gave us 3 hours and let us walk at our own pace, we did not have to stick to the group. For people who are used to hiking this is an easy hike, it takes around 15 minutes to arrive at the first pools and approximately an hour to get to the top of the canyon. There is a turn off down hill to get to the pools. It is no longer allowed to swim in them thankfully, as the combination of constant movement of the water (lifting those minerals that give the water its colour) and dirty bodies meant that the water was loosing its wonderful colour and fungus was spreading. There are many amazing viewpoints along the well established path from where you can see the pools from above, what a sight! The path goes uphill, with some stairs sections, but it is never really that steep. We visited in mid October at the beginning of the rainy season, but had a beautiful sunny day and the pools were a vibrant turquoise/emerald colour. Apparently when you come in the dry season (from May to September) the pools have a more turquoise colour and when you come in the rainy season (from October to April) the pools get a gradually more green colour. In January, February and March the travel agencies do not offer tours to Millpu. We ended the day eating a truly delicious trout at one of the restaurants at the trailhead. Millpu is a completely unique sight, so I would definitely recommend a visit there, however, I was most shocked to find out that many foreign tourists that come to Ayacucho only come for a single day to visit Millpu and then carry on their journey to Lima or Cusco without visiting any other sights. What a waste of opportunity given that Ayacucho is one of Peru most attractive and pleasant towns offering a marvelous variety of natural, historic and cultural sights, as well as fantastic restaurants and accommodation. So my advice would be to stay at least 3 days in Ayacucho. I would not recommend visiting Millpu during national holidays, whether it be for Easter, Independence day or any long weekends, because the sight literally gets jam packed with national tourists. When we visited on a week day in October there was barely anyone there, which was obviously very enjoyable. There is a S/5 soles entrance fee to visit Millpu, which goes to the community.
2. Complejo Arqueologico de Vilcashuaman
3. Complejo Arqueologico Wari
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 200 reviews
Reviewed By pancj2018 - Lima, Peru
We are retired archaeologists and we went to Ayacucho specifically to visit Wari. It did not disappoint - but it's not for everybody. The little on-site museum is downright terrible, with very few artifacts and very little contextual information on what they do have. Signage around the site is also non-existent. There is nothing to tell you what you are looking at. A guide is probably advisable for most visitors, though you really have no idea if the guide will be informed or accurate. In fairness to all, there is relatively little published information about this capital of the massive Wari Empire. Definitely worth a visit if you have any interest in Peruvian prehistory and the great cities of the world.
4. Obelisco de la Pampa de la Quinua
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 509 reviews
Reviewed By Calistogababe - Oaxaca, Mexico
This is a beautiful place with a great view. You can come up on horseback as they rent horses at the entrance or walk up. For me the historical importance was very moving as this is where General Sucre won the last battle against the Spanish to liberate all the Hispanic countries of the Americas.
5. Plaza Mayor de Ayacucho
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 309 reviews
Reviewed By Limonade17 - Nuremberg, Germany
The main square is a romantic place where people can meet. There are lots of flowers and trees. Everything is neatly ordered. It has been renovated looking forward to the celebration of the 200 years of independence of Peru from Spain. This has been reached in the famous "Battle of Ayacucho" in 1821. So the city is preparing itself for the "Bicentenario", which means, the 200 years, a d you can see it. In December, also the cathedral was illuminated in lots of colors from the place.
6. Basilica Catedral de Ayacucho
7. Reserva Nacional Pampa Galeras Barbara D'Achille
8. Museo de la Memoria
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By alextbrouwer - Tarma, Peru
This was a highlight of my time in Ayacucho. The small museum ran by the organization that was actively fighting against the Shining Path does a great and solemn job of honoring those deeply affected by the era of terrorism. At only 3 soles to enter ($1) it's a must visit. Please note that most of the displays are in Spanish but many have an English translation.
