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Back to Chahuay

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Voykit pocket guide · Peru

Chahuay

Chahuay is a quiet highland community for a half-day stop between Cusco and Andahuaylas, not a destination on its own. One night if you need a bed at 3,331 m.

Chahuay is a small, young settlement in the Apurímac region at 3,331 m, founded by descendants of historic Marcaconga. It has one basic albergue and no major sights, making it useful only as a low-cost overnight on the Cusco–Andahuaylas road or as a quiet break from the tourist trail.

LimaAbancayAguas CalientesAguaytíaAndaguaAndahuaylasArequipaAtalayaAyacuchoBallestas IslandsBarrancaCaballocochaCajabambaCajamarcaChahuay500 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Peru
Best months
May–Sep (dry season)
Avoid
Dec–Mar (rains, road conditions worsen)
Stay
1 night

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
PEN
Money
Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/). Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants in Lima and Cusco; markets, small towns, taxis and entrance fees in villages need cash.
Daily spend
Budget S/20–40 excl. bed · Mid S/40–70 excl. bed · High S/70+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Claro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.
Emergency
Police 105 · Fire 116 · Ambulance (SAMU) 106
Plugs
Types A, C · 220 V · 60 Hz · US devices need to be dual-voltage (most chargers are).
Tipping
Restaurants: About 10% if service is not included.; Inca Trail porters and cooks: Per the operator's guidance; pooled at the end.; Guides: S/ 20–50 per person for a day tour.
Water
Not safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.
Toilets
Paper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.

What things cost

ItemPrice
Albergue bed (per night)S/20
Shared car Chuquicahuana → ChahuayS/5
Bus/truck Cusco → ChuquicahuanaS/10

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

CUZ · Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (Cusco)
About 2 h by road, check current conditions
ANS · Andahuaylas Airport
About 1.5 h by road, check

Typical fares

Cusco → Chuquicahuana (bus/truck)
about S/10, 1 h (check)
Chuquicahuana → Chahuay (shared car)
about S/5, 15 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

The village is walkable. For transfers to/from Chuquicahuana, shared cars run every 15 min (check frequency).

See and do

Known for

  • High‑altitude rural community (3,331 m)
  • Descendant village of Marcaconga
  • Basic albergue at S/20 per night

Day trips

WhereHowTime
CuscoShared car to Chuquicahuana, then bus/truck to Cusco (every 30 min 07:00–19:00)About 2 h
AndahuaylasShared car to Chuquicahuana, then bus/truck eastAbout 1.5 h
AbancayShared car to Chuquicahuana, then bus southAbout 2 h

Sleep

Albergue de Unión Chahuay
Only accommodation in town; S/20 per night, double and triple rooms, open all year. From Chuquicahuana, small cars every 15 min.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
HelloBuenos díasBWEH-nohs DEE-ahs
Thank youGraciasGRAH-see-ahs
How much does it cost?¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAHN-toh KWES-tah
Where is the albergue?¿Dónde está el albergue?DOHN-deh es-TAH el al-BEHR-geh
I need a doctorNecesito un médiconeh-seh-SEE-toh oon MEH-dee-koh

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: Handshake; one cheek kiss among acquaintances; avoid: Skipping greetings
  • Food pride: Ask about local dishes; avoid: Comparing pisco or ceviche unfavourably with Chile's
  • Photos: Ask and pay if asked; avoid: Photographing people without asking
  • Politics: Listen; avoid: Taking sides in protests

Scams and watch-outs

  • Altitude (3,331 m): rest on arrival, drink water, avoid alcohol.
  • No ATMs or shops beyond basics: bring cash and supplies from Cusco or Andahuaylas.
  • Road conditions can be poor in the rainy season (Dec–Mar).

Chahuay is a quiet rural community with low crime. The main risks are altitude sickness and poor road conditions in the wet season.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Chahuay yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • High‑altitude rural community (3,331 m)
  • Descendant village of Marcaconga
  • Basic albergue at S/20 per night

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Chahuay

A esta dirección, por favor

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

Spanish is the main language; Quechua is also spoken. English is not common.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/chahuay). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.