Yanque town is a district in the province of Caylloma, Arequipa, and is part of the incredible Colca Valley.
A place that during the preceramic period was inhabited by the Collaguas, a group of hunters and gatherers who settled in this place to take advantage of nature’s resources, becoming sedentary.
The main seat of this group was the town of Yanque, more specifically within the citadel of Maukallaqta or Uyo Uyo, one of the vestiges that can be visited in this town.
Currently, this town is one of the main attractions in the Colca Canyon. A quiet town with friendly people, where the white color of its buildings stands out, its beautiful and old Catholic church, its pre-Inca terraces, its museums, its archaeological sites and paths, among others.
What to Visit in Yanque?
Uyo – Uyo
This is the most important architectural complex in this district. A citadel made of carved stone and which seems to have been used for administrative, ceremonial and housing purposes.
The houses in this complex were made of stone and joined with mud mortar. Among its characteristics, we can highlight the presence of trapezoidal doors, niches inside, and thatched gabled roofs. These houses were built with two floors, the first floor was used for daily life, while the second floor was a food store and sleeping area.
Most of the buildings in this complex were built before the Inca era, however, the presence of the Inca culture can be seen in a rectangular building called Kallanka, a place from where administrative issues were governed and discussed. In front of this Inca construction, you can find an archaeological site possibly made in the Spanish domination due to the presence of an altar inside. This archaeological complex of Yanque also has a water channel.
Ocolle Viewpoint
The Mirador de Ocolle is an ideal place to observe the circular pre-Inca terraces, constructions that were used in the crops of that time. A very advanced agricultural technology, thanks to which the ancient Peruvians were able to adapt to the various ecological levels and microclimates, allowing an increase in the production of their crops.
Cervantes Bridge
A bridge with Collagua bases, but whose arch belongs to the Colony, which is why it represents a mestizo-style construction.
Tombs of Chininia
Some years ago it was doubted if these constructions were Colcas (food deposits) or tombs. However, in 2011, archaeologists confirmed that they were tombs when they entered their interior and found bones and Collagua pottery, but they also found that they had been looted since the Spanish era.
These circular constructions were made with mud mortar and were embedded in the slopes of the river, without having any access. If you want to visit this complex of tombs, you just have to ask for the route that takes you to the Siphon bridge.
House of Cacique Choquehuanca
The Inca organization arranged that the caciques and curacas of the towns that were assimilated to the Inca state had to maintain their rank. It is for this reason that within the town of Yanque you can visit the house of the chief Choquehuanca. A traditional style construction made with carved stone and joined with mud mortar. On one of its walls, the figures of vizcachas and foxes painted red stand out. This is located just two blocks from the main square.
Chacapi Thermal Baths
Something to highlight about the Colca Valley is its internal geothermal energy, generated by the volcanic zones inside the earth. This causes thermal waters to emerge to the surface, rich in important minerals such as calcium, sulfur, magnesium, among others. Something that has been used, because its waters are used as thermal baths with medicinal properties. The Chacapi Thermal Baths are located on one side of the Cervantes Bridge.
Yanque Museum
This museum is located in the Plaza de Armas and offers the opportunity to learn more about the living culture of the people of Arequipa. A building that functioned as a school from 1927 to 1958. Later it was abandoned, so that finally in 1999 it was restored or converted into a museum.
This museum has several exhibition halls and is divided as follows:
The first room deals with the colony, exhibiting models of the churches found on the left bank of the Colca Valley.
The second room houses models of the churches on the right bank of the Colca.
Room three is clearly archaeological, exhibiting archaeological remains.
Room four exhibits everything about the Colca Valley today.
The fifth room is an enclosure set to the place where the mummy Juanita de Ampato was found.
The last room presents temporary exhibitions, a cafeteria and offers the sale of Souvenirs.
Uyo Uyo Museum
This museum presents a valuable private collection of archaeological objects, including pieces from the “Uyu Uyu” archaeological complex and articles belonging to the Collagua, Inca and Yanqueño cultures. If you are going to sleep in Yanque, the Uyu Uyu House Museum also offers accommodation and food.