Paruro and districts

Paruro is one of the smallest provinces in the department of Cusco.

The province covers an area of 1,984 square kilometers and is inhabited by approximately 32,244 people..

The province is divided into nine districts which are: Accha, Ccapi, Colcha, Huanoquite, Omacha, Paccaritambo, Pillipinto, Yaurisque and Paruro. The latter district is also the capital of the province.

The territory of Paruro has an Andean geography with high mountains and valleys bathed by the Apurimac River. The city of Paruro has an altitude of 3,051 meters above sea level.

The main tourist attractions in the province of Paruro are: the Accha Tocco cave, the Huanacaure hill, the Cusibamba valley, the Ccolccapata ruins, the Pumaorqo huaca and the Yaurisque hot springs.

Where is the location?

Paruro is south of the city of Cusco, in the department of Cusco in Peru..

The province is bordered to the north by the province of Cusco, to the south by the province of Chumbivilcas, to the east by the provinces of Quispicanchi and Acomayo and to the west by the provinces of Anta and the department of Apurimac.

How to get there?

Public transportation buses to Paruro can be found at the bus stops located on Huayruropata Avenue in the city of Cusco.

The road trip is 59 kilometers. The trip takes 1 hour 30 minutes on average. The cost is approximately 5 soles.

History of Paruro

The history of Paruro dates back to pre-Inca times. The first recorded ethnic groups that inhabited this territory are: the Maskas and the Chelkes.

During the Inca period, the Maskas and Chelkes ethnic groups were subdued by the Incas. The Inca legend of ‘The Ayar brothers’ tells that they appeared in a cave in the Huanacaure mountain, located in the current province of Paruro.

The origin of the name Paruro is believed to come from the Quechua word ‘Paru Nigris’ which means ‘Toasted Ears’ in reference to the first settlers who walked without chullo, which caused the reddening of the ears.

Another version states that the name comes from the word ‘Parupampa’ which means ‘golden soil’. This is in reference to the salt deposits and wheat fields (which gives it the appearance of golden soil).

During the Inca period, Paruro was relatively important due to its proximity to the city of Cusco. It was there that the bayeta, which served as clothing for the Spanish armies, was manufactured.

During the emancipation, the province of Paruro was created on June 21, 1825 under the mandate of the liberator Simón Bolívar. In 1919 and 1920 the Spanish authorities recognized the quality of the wheat produced in the province of Paruro.

Today Paruro is one of the provinces of Cusco that offers interesting tourist attractions such as: the Accha Tocco cave, the Huanacaure hill, the Cusibamba valley, the ruins of Ccolccapata, the huaca of Pumaorqo and the thermal baths of Yaurisque.

What to see in Paruro?

• The cave of Accha Tocco – This cavern carved in its walls served as a housing complex in Inca times.
• The Huanacaure Hill – The legendary Huanacaure hill, according to the legend of ‘The Ayar brothers’ was the panaca or place where the founders of the Inca ethnic group emerged. It is considered a ‘huaca’ or sacred place in the Inca cosmovision. It is located in the district of Yaurisque.
• The Cusibamba Valley – This fertile valley offers a warm climate whose geography is ideal for the practice of sports such as cycling, trekking and canoeing. The Huarancalle bridge that crosses over the Apurimac River is famous.
• The ruins of Ccolccapata – This pre-Inca archaeological site is located in the district of San Francisco de Colcha.
• The huaca of Pumaorqo – This Inca temple, according to the chronicles, was of great importance (with some similarities to the Qoricancha in the city of Cusco). Today only the stairways and the bases of some enclosures can be seen. Its name means ‘Hill of the puma’.
• The thermal baths of Yaurisque – These thermal baths are located in the district of Yaurisque. It is located near the main square of the town. It has a single pool whose temperatures exceed 25ºC.

Climate

The climate in the province of Paruro varies according to the town and its altitude. The city of Paruro, capital of the province, has a temperate climate with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 4ºC. to a maximum of 24ºC.

More information about Paruro

One of the main festivities of the province of Paruro is the one held in honor of the Virgin of Natividad de Paruro. The festivities are held from September 1 to 15. The central day is September 8. It is celebrated with dance shows, music, parades and gastronomic fairs.

Paruro is recognized as the city ‘Origin of the Inca culture’. During the visit, tourists can enjoy the delicious local gastronomy with dishes such as fried trout, cuy chactado or chiriuchu (Cusco’s signature dish).

Tips

During your visit to the province of Paruro do not forget to bring a hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, comfortable clothes (warm if you will be spending the night), snacks, drinks and cash. Most stores do not accept credit cards.