Chivay: Andean Traditions in the Colca Valley
Accommodation in Chivay
Chivay lies in the Colca Valley and combines a history of Spanish settlement with Andean traditions. The town was founded during the time of Viceroy Toledo. Chivay offers various cultural perspectives to help you plan your trip: plazas and sectors shape local life, while the temple, bridge and dance reveal different historical and cultural connections. The Baños Termales La Calera tourist complex is also nearby. This variety can help you decide which aspects matter when choosing a holiday rental in Chivay for your stay.
Plaza Principal and the three sectors
Plaza Principal de Chivay is in the heart of the town and is an important meeting place for residents and visitors. The plaza features a tourist map of the Colca Valley and Colca Canyon. Along with the plaza itself as a central point of reference, it offers an initial overview of the region before you explore specific topics related to your trip.
Chivay is divided into three traditional sectors, each with its own character. Ccapa is in the upper area; the Baños Termales La Calera are also located there. Urinsaya is in the lower area and has a festive character, with regular agricultural activity. Hanansaya is the upper sector with the largest cultivated area. If you are interested in local life, you can use these differences to understand Chivay’s various facets: Urinsaya’s festive character and agriculture sit alongside Hanansaya’s agricultural importance and Ccapa’s connection to La Calera.
Wititi, temples and historical traces
The Wititi is an emblematic Andean dance of the Collagua and Cabana cultures. Young people perform it during religious or patronal festivals in the rainy season. In Chivay, the Wititi is part of the patronal festival of the Immaculate Conception on December 8. The dance is recognized as a National Cultural Heritage of Peru; on December 2, 2015, UNESCO declared it an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This links the local festive tradition with an internationally recognized cultural significance.
Another testament to the town’s history is the colonial temple of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. Its current building dates back to the second half of the 18th century. The Puente Inca, a tourist attraction in Chivay, is about 28 meters long and built entirely of stone. At this site, visitors can trace different historical periods, from Inca times to the Republican era. The bridge also recalls the presence of the Incas in the region. The colonial temple and stone bridge thus offer different historical perspectives, without representing the same period.
Getting around and activities
The bus station in Chivay is 550 meters from Plaza de Chivay, or about a 15-minute walk along a paved path. This practical information can help you plan your arrival and find your way into the town center. There is also a Centro de Interpretación at the entrance to Chivay, with a checkpoint for AUTOCOLCA admission tickets. Hiking and trekking are also among the tourist activities in Chivay, complementing cultural discoveries with an active way to spend your stay.
The Baños Termales La Calera tourist complex is in the Colca Valley, 3 kilometers from Chivay. A small ethnological museum at the complex displays archaeological finds from the Colca Valley and traditional clothing from Colca. This means you can take archaeological heritage and regional clothing into account in your travel plans, alongside the town itself. When choosing a holiday rental, a helpful first question is whether you want to focus on Chivay’s plazas, architecture and traditions, or include the nearby complex as well. Hiking and trekking provide another activity to consider when planning your stay. If you would like specific information about the town, visit the town page at Chivay.
More destinations
More places in the same destination:
To the main travel overview: Arequipa.
