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Alca derives from ´´Alcca´´ voice that defines two-color objects in spots or stripes.



The district of Alca was created on May 4, 1835. It has a population of 2,573 inhabitants. Its capital is the Villa of the same name, which is located at an altitude of 2,750 meters above sea level. and one hour by road from the town of Cotahuasi, it is located in the deepest part of the canyon.







The town of Alca is located on the banks of the Cotahuasi river, at the head there is another river called Huarcaya.



The Chococo river is born in the heights of Sayrosa, goes down through Chahua and Pullhuay and another branch is born in the area of ​​Chullpa, all these rivers are tributaries of the Cotahuasi. The Chococo hydroelectric plant takes advantage of the waters of the river of the same name. The town of Alca is characterized by its improved livestock, and by the breeding and training of paso horses.





Alca has several annexes and hamlets: typical Andean villages with houses with thatched roofs. You can see pre-Hispanic platforms still in use, where potatoes, corn, beans, racacha, tarwi and olluco are grown.







The Villa of Alca.-



Town of cobbled streets, it is the most stately of the towns of La Unión. In Alca there are old houses with elegant balconies. It has a church, San Pedro, of colonial origin, which keeps its treasures in the image of the Virgen del Carmen, which the Alqueños call ´´la española´´. Next to the Church there is a hundred-year-old stone bell tower.



Its square is large, it is surrounded by four imposing cedars, in one of which a picturesque altar has been built, pride of this religious town.



In its surroundings there are beautiful countryside.







Lucha hot springs.-



It is located 2 km from the town of Alca and 17 km from the town of Cotahuasi. There are two pools, which are natural, one of them is of hot water (temperature greater than 40º C) and the other is of warmer water, which is used for therapeutic purposes based on medicinal plants. They are visited by people suffering from arthritis, rheumatism, bone pain, and muscle aches.



It is a half hour walk from the Luicho hot springs.



In the upper part of Alca are the sources of Chawua water, which, unlike Lucha, are very little known.







Cahuana Annex.-



Picturesque town that is also an excellent natural viewpoint to appreciate the Cotahuasi River. It is located at an altitude of 3,000 meters above sea level. and a 45 minute walk from the town of Alca. It has a large extension of agricultural areas made up of pre-Inca terraces. View photo.







Ticnay archaeological complex.-



Located two hours walk from the town of Alca. You can see in these ruins the existence of three sectors: the ceremonial, the housing and the cemetery. Scattered around the complex are curious circular stone tablets decorated with symbolic paintings, which some call ´´the lithic library´´.







Ruins of Ayahuasi.-



Located an hour and a half walk from the town of Alca. You can take advantage of the visit to see the nearby town of the same name, with its picturesque bell tower. Obsidian stone quarrying.







Ruins of Kayac.-



Located two hours walk from the town of Alca, near the annex of Cahuana. It consists of remains of a pre-Inca citadel. It also serves as a viewpoint to observe the entire Cahuana annex.







Archaeological remains of Huilcamasa, Supaycanchis, Purahuasi, Huacchar and Cahuana.-







Andeneria de Yumasca.-

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