Huambo is located in the lower part of the Colca canyon in the province of Caylloma, in the department of Arequipa in Peru at 3330 m. above sea level.

The village of Huambo is the first village of the Colca canyon you reach, when you enter the canyon via the panamerican highway, via Majes (El Pedregal). Before Cabanaconde.

How to get there?

The easiest way to get in Huambo is by bus from Arequipa via the panamerican highway to el Pedregal in Majes. Buses from Arequipa to el Pedregal leave almost every 10 minutes and take about 2 hours (115 km). The bus from el Pedregal to Huambo leaves at 9:00 am and takes about 4 hours. The road between el Pedregal and Huambo is an unpaved road, but is in good condition. (much better than the unpaved road between the crossing Arequipa/Cuzco/Chivay and Chivay).

Bus companies going to El Pedregal:

• Del Carpio (leaves from Terrapuerto or the gas station close to the terminals)
• Llamosas (leaves from the gas station close to the terminals)

Another possibility to get in Huambo is via Cabanaconde. You can take the bus from Cabanaconde to Huambo every day at 5:00 am. It takes about an hour and a half to get in Huambo from Cabanaconde.

Scenery between Arequipa and Huambo

The plains of Majes are converted from desert to a very green and fertile area with a lot of pastures with cows, corn and kiwicha. It looks a bit like Holland, but than at 1400 m. above sea level and without rain. The water for the irrigation of this area comes from Huambo via a concrete canal.

On the way to Huambo, you can appreciate different kinds of cactuses, including the "candle cactus". There are also a few dead mini-volcanoes (about 100m. high) you can see from the bus and with a little bit of luck you'll see vicuñas.