The small, unassuming town of Paucartambo lies on the eastern slopes of the Andes, midway between Peru’s southern highlands and the Amazon jungle. This quaint village of white houses with painted blue doors acts as a convenient trading hub for the two regions it straddles. For most of the year, Paucartambo does not offer much of interest to outside visitors, but between July 15th and 18th each year this sleepy village comes alive with costumes, dancing, food and drink for the famous Paucartambo Festival of the Virgin of Carmen.