Chayaltaca

Chayaltaca
Department
Flag
Country	Pecario
Government
• Type	Departmental Legislative Assembly of Chayaltaca
• Mayor	Edgar Zanhuesa
Population
• Total	800,000
Demonym	Chayaltacan
Area code	589
Website	departamentodechacaltaya.gov

Chayaltaca is a department of Pecario. It is a mountainous, arid and snowy region. Chayaltaca is dominated by the majestic Pico del Alba, the highest peak in the wurld, situated in the Cordillera del Sol. This department, with its desolate landscapes and imposing mountains, is both a natural treasure and a strategic stronghold. The capital of the region is the town of Pukara.

Fauna

The fauna of Chayaltaca is diverse and well-adapted to its extreme environment. The region is home to vicuñas, guanacos and llamas, which are commonly seen grazing in open areas. Condors, vultures and various small birds often soar the skies. Wolves can be encountered in more remote and rugged areas, as well as pumas. Despite the harsh climate, the biodiversity is surprisingly rich in this part of Pecario

Economy

The economy of Chayaltaca is primarily based on subsistence agriculture, livestock, and crafts, with inhabitants living in picturesque and isolated villages. Due to the climate and terrain, llama and alpaca farming is very common. These animals are essential for the locals, providing wool, meat, and transport. Alpaca wool is particularly prized for making traditional clothing and handicrafts. The region, mainly found in snowy areas, is adapted for agriculture. The cultivation of potatoes, quinoa, and maize on terraces is common, perfectly suiting the mountainous conditions. Local crafts, including traditional textiles made from alpaca wool, are renowned in all Pecario. However, the economy is heavily influenced by clandestine activities. The Santa Polvo Cartel, a powerful criminal group, uses Chacaltaya's rugged terrain for its drug production and trafficking operations, exploiting caves and isolated plateaus to hide laboratories and weapon caches.

Municipalities

• Pukara
• San Catalina
• Quillacocha
• Tambo Alto
• Villa Blanca
• Pueblo Nevado
• Los Cerros
• San Marcos
• Suyo
• Llacho
• Quiquo

Points of Interest

• Pico del Alba: The highest peak in the wurld, attracting climbers and adventurers from around the globe. Its snowy slopes and spectacular views make it an iconic location.
• Ruinas de Piko: Ancient Tuachec ruins that testify to the region's rich cultural history linked to the Tuachec history.
• Pukara: The capital of Chayaltaca, Pukara is a central hub for llama breeding. The town serves as the economic and cultural heart of the region, hosting markets, festivals, and serving as the base for regional governance.
• Traditional Villages: Villages like Quillacocha and Tambo Alto, where inhabitants live traditionally, perpetuating ancestral indegenous customs and craft techniques.
• Nuestra María bajo el cielo : The statue is situated atop of the moutain peak Púrpura at an altitude of 3,900 meters (12,800 feet) above sea level. The satue depicts the Virgin Mary standing with outstretched arms, facing outward as if watching over the surrounding landscape. Her posture conveys a sense of protection and vigilance.
• Santa Catalina chapel : This chapel is a small, religious structure built to provide protection and solace for drivers navigating the treacherous and steep roads of the region.
• Plane Wreckage: The wreckage of a civilian plane that crashed in the 1950s, causing a significant stir at the time. Many planes crash on the treacherous slopes of the region's mountains.
• Tuachec Roads: The Tuachec Roads refers to a wide pre-colonial road system that extended from Northern Manamana to Northern Pecario. It connected all the regions of the Tuachec Empire and was centered in Tualcacán, the capital town. It was built at altitudes ranging between 2,000 and 5,000 meters. After the Iberic conquest, the Tuachec Trail was gradually abandoned. These days, only a few short sections have survived, mainly used by indigenous peasants or trekkers

Legends

• El Yeti : The legend of El Yeti revolves around sightings of a mythical creature, often described as a large, white, ape-like being, roaming the snow-covered mountains of Chayaltaca. Locals claim that it comes out at night to steal livestock and occasionally young children.
• The Ghost of La Llorona Pass: La Llorona, a grieving mother who lost her children to a tragic accident on a treacherous mountain pass in the region, is said to haunt travelers who dare to cross during the full moon.
• The Legend of the Whispering Stones: In the heart of Chayaltaca's desert plains lies a circle of ancient stones known as the Whispering Stones. It is said that these stones carry the voices of ancestors who carved their stories and wisdom into the rock millennia ago.
• El Refugio : If you spend enough time in the region, locals will tell you about a legendary village built in the mountains by people left homeless or displaced by the drug war. The village is called El Refugio and though no one is able to put it on a map, it is said that its inhabitants have built grand structures out of the wrecks of planes that have crashed in the Cordillera del Sol. If you overlook the mountains at night, you might see the light beams of those there trying to blind the pilots, so as to crash their planes.