The district of Chivay, in Peru, is one of twenty districts that make up the province of Caylloma in the Arequipa region, under the administration of the regional government of Arequipa, in southern Peru. It is located at 3,635 meters above sea level, on the western slopes of the Andes mountain range, high above the Colca Canyon. The name Chivay comes from the Quechua term “chuay” or “chua” , which in Spanish means a clay plate, due to the shape of the city’s valley.
Chivay, in Peru, is divided into three sections: Urinsaya, Hanasaya, and Ccapa — a tradition that has survived since Inca times.
History of Chivay, Peru
Chivay is a city founded during the Spanish colonial period under Viceroy Toledo. It served as a “reducción” — a system used by the Spanish to relocate indigenous populations into centralized settlements in order to control and convert them to Christianity. The traditional chessboard layout used by the Spanish can still be seen today: the main church faces the town council (now the municipal building), with the founding families’ homes surrounding it.
Altitude of Chivay
Chivay is a city in Peru and serves as the capital of the province of Caylloma. Its altitude is 3,635 meters (11,926 feet) above sea level, located on the western slopes of the Andes, high above the Colca Canyon.
Best Time to Visit Chivay, Peru
In Chivay, summers are short, cold, arid, and mostly cloudy, while winters are also short, very cold, dry, and mostly sunny. Throughout the year, temperatures generally range from -1°C (30°F) to 17°C (63°F) and rarely drop below -2°C (28°F) or rise above 20°C (68°F).
According to tourism ratings, the best times of year to visit Chivay for pleasant weather are from late April to late May and from late July to mid-December.
Tourism in Chivay, Peru
Thermal Baths of Chivay
The Chivay hot springs, locally known as “La Calera” , are located at 3,633 meters (11,919 feet) above sea level, just 3 km from the town of Chivay.
The thermal baths of Chivay consist of five specially built heated pools filled with naturally hot water sourced from the Cotallahuillca volcano. Initially, the water temperature ranges between 80°C and 85°C (176°F–185°F), but it cools down along its path, reaching the complex at around 38°C (100°F) — ideal for therapeutic baths. These waters have healing properties for various ailments, especially rheumatism and other muscle and skin conditions. They contain 30% calcium, 19% zinc, and 18% iron — minerals that can be absorbed through the skin and help relieve muscular and joint pain.
Colca Natural Archaeology Museum
A museum offering insights into the archaeological and natural heritage of the Colca Valley.
Inca Bridge
A stone bridge built by the local population during the Tahuantinsuyo era. It’s called the Inca Bridge because the Inca rulers crossed it regularly, mainly to reach the hot springs.
Chullpa de Sol de Sacsayhuaman
Located in the Sol de Sacsayhuaman Young Village, this chullpa (pre-Columbian tower tomb) is made of stone and offers panoramic views of Chivay, its landscapes, and local geography.
