When most travelers think of Peru, the only thing that comes to mind is the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu.
However, there’s so much more to know in this beautiful country, and here we have gathered 5 of the most impressive yet underrated archeological sites in Peru.
Our country’s diversity goes beyond its natural features, though each region has distinctive cultural expressions and history that we’d love to show you. If you’re planning a trip to Peru, make sure to plan your trip according to your interests.
For example, if historical places are your thing, then you’ve come to the right place because Peru is divided into three regions.
Although most travelers may think that Peru is all about the Inca culture, each region comprises several archeological sites belonging to other powerful cultures that predate the famous Quechua civilization.
If you’re visiting Peru for the first time, you surely are planning to go to Machu Picchu, but here we’ve added five prehispanic ruins that you should consider adding to your travel itinerary!
1. Waqrapukara: Fortress & Astronomical Observatory
Among the different Inca archaeological sites in Cusco, there’s a place that the Incas did not fully build but still showcases an impressive architectural style, surrounded by the sheer drops of the Apurimac Canyon.
Waqrapukara is a total masterpiece located at 4,300 meters above sea level, composed of agricultural terraces, outstanding rock formations, cobblestone stairs, and interesting chambers that make it look like an old prison in the middle of nowhere.
However, the Qanchis, a civilization that established itself in these lands in 2500 B.C., inhabited this ancient structure.
According to several experts, Waqrapukara could have been a ceremonial center for this ancient culture, though it later served as a fortress during the colonization process of the Incas.
You can visit Waqra Pukara on a full-day trek, but we have to highlight that this trail is quite challenging due to its steep inclines and altitude. If you’d like to add this outstanding pre-hispanic ruin to your itinerary, make sure to contact us right away!
2. Choquequirao: The Cradle of Gold
For those who didn’t know, Machu Picchu wasn’t the only lost citadel of the Incas. One of the most important structures of this ancient civilization is Choquequirao, and only the most adventurous can access it.
Although the locals knew most of the Inca structures, it wasn’t until Hiram Bingham’s expedition unveiled them to the world.
However, the famous archaeologist didn’t give much importance to this structure since his goal was to find Machu Picchu.
Choquequirao is one of those gems lost in time, and since Spaniards did not find this location, its real purpose is still a mystery.
The archeological site has an extension of 1,000 hectares, and only 30% of it has been fully excavated. People know the “Cradle of Gold” city as Machu Picchu’s Sacred Sister due to its similarities in architectural style and distribution.
Currently, the only way to visit this wonder of the Inca era is by a 4-day trek through the cloud forest. The trail has a moderate to challenging difficulty, and the highest peak reaches 3,050 meters above sea level.
Choquequirao is an off-the-beaten-track attraction in Cusco and receives about 9,500 visitors per year. However, the regional government is looking to promote this destination in the future, estimating 1 million visits per year by implementing a cable car to these ancient ruins.
Consequently, if you wish to visit this uncrowded tourist attraction, you’d better hurry and organize your trip soon.
3. Tambo Colorado: Inca-Chincha Fortress
The Peruvian coast isn’t just about its scenic beaches and exuberant nature, since it also comprises several archaeological sites such as Tambo Colorado, an ancient Chincha-Inca structure exceptionally preserved.
If you love history as much as we do, you can’t leave this incredible pre-Columbian construction behind! The Tambo Colorado shows the extensive engineering and architectural knowledge of our ancestors since it has remained nearly intact for centuries despite human action and seismic activity.
Researchers traced it back to the 15th century, specifically to 1450 A.D., and they suggest that its original name could have been “Pucallacta” or “Pucahuasi,” two words derived from “Puka,” which means Red in the ancient Quechua Language.
They painted the structure with yellow, white, and red stripes, a paintwork that surprisingly remains on some walls, hence the name.
If you wish to visit this wonder of the ancient world, then we have the perfect excursion for you! Make sure to know everything about the Tambo Colorado Tour with this guide.
4. Chan Chan: The Largest Adobe Citadel of Ancient America
If you love history as much as we do, then you certainly can’t forget to pass by the largest adobe city of ancient America.
The Chan Chan citadel is probably the principal attraction within Trujillo since it expands to 20 square kilometers and comprises several walled precincts with intriguing carvings on their surface.
According to archaeologists, the Chimu culture built the Chan Chan citadel around 900 A.D., and it’s one of the biggest archaeological findings in northern Peru.
UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1986 due to its historical importance and impressive structures.
This archaeological complex is famous for its large extension with administrative, ceremonial, residential, and work areas precisely designated.
The architectural style varies depending on the zone, allowing the Chimu to differentiate their social-economic classes.
A large adobe wall with beautiful engravings of animals and geometrical figures encloses the entire citadel, integrating its symbolism and sacred belief into the architecture of the entire capital.
However, researchers find it uncertain to know how many inhabitants occupied these lands before the Inca conquest, but they estimate that it could have housed between 30,000 and 100,000 people.
Would you like to discover this impressive site? Check out this Trujillo travel package and experience it in person!
5. Kuelap: The Fortress in the Clouds
This is one of the most impressive pre-Inca structures in the Peruvian high jungle. The city is near Kuelap, which sits at 3,000 meters above sea level, and that is why people know it as the ‘Fortress in the Clouds.’
The Chachapoya civilization built this impressive structure between the XI and XVI centuries, making it one of the oldest in Peru. The civilization developed between 500 A.D. and 1570 A.D.
Although little is known about this ancient construction, archeologists suggest that the Chachapoya people could have used it as a fortified citadel or an emergency shelter.
Kuelap holds impressive architecture with structures that rise up to 7 meters in height and a defensive wall that surpasses 19 meters in height at some points.
Most of the buildings in Kuelap have a rounded shape, and people used most of them as residential areas.
A few halls had limited access to this impressive fortress, narrowing as you reached the end. Experts believed that it was another way of protecting the citadel from intruders.
Finally, we know, there are so many things to do in Peru besides Machu Picchu that it can take you some time trying to find the perfect activities and attractions for you. But don’t worry, we have your back!
Contact our travel experts and start planning the perfect itinerary for your next vacation. If you’d like to have an idea of how to organize a trip to Peru, don’t forget to check our travel packages.
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