Luxury Archaeological sites to visit on a Trip to Peru

Peru is an outstanding country, in addition, to having natural destinations that will leave you breathless, is also famous for the archaeological sites of the oldest cultures that America has known. Archaeological sites of Peru are countless and stand as part of the country’s heritage since they will help you comprehend different contexts of the history and allow you to have a critical view of Peruvian historical wealth. And not only do we talk about the Incas with Machu Picchu leading the list of the most visited archaeological sites in Peru, some ancient buildings and villages existed in this territory long before them and in different regions.

Visiting the Sacred Valley of the Incas is quite enriching, from Cusco City you can visit the best pieces of Inca engineering such as Ollantaytambo, Pisaq, Chinchero, Maras, Moray, Sacsayhuamán, and many more. But today we will introduce you to some archaeological sites in Peru, that belong to different cultures and regions of the country.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu open our list, surely while your visit to Peru you will take some tours in Cusco, so Machu Picchu may already be into your booked destinations. The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is one of the 7 Modern Wonders of the World, it has stunning stone constructions with great precision and detail in its buildings. Few places offer you this magic and special connection with nature in a city built on a rugged and inaccessible mountain. For its complex location this place remained hidden from the world for a long time, today it is possible to take a tour to Machu Picchu with maximum comfort, you can even stay at the exclusive Sanctuary Lodge overlooking the wonderful sunrise in the mountains that surround the citadel.

Pachacamac

Pachacamac was the main sanctuary of the central coast for more than a thousand years. Its temples were visited by crowds of pilgrims on the occasion of the great Andean rituals. Pachacamac was considered a successful oracle capable of predicting the future and controlling the movements of the earth. The Pachacamac sanctuary was also attended by inhabitants of all the Andes in search of solutions to their problems or answers to their doubts. Pachacamac means “soul of the earth, the one who animates the world”. The ancient Peruvians believed that a single movement of his head would cause earthquakes. You could not look at him directly, and even his priests entered the enclosure with his back.

While visiting Lima you can take a tour to Pachacamac, and discover this cultural wonder, in addition, enjoy an exclusive Peruvian food and enjoy a typical dance show.

Nazca Lines

From the skies of Nazca, you can watch the most enigmatic and enormous figures carved on this desert land, one of the most visited tourist destinations in Peru, the Nazca Lines. Located in the Ica region 500km south of Lima. This huge expanse of desert pampas exhibits huge geometric figures on its sands that perfectly harmoniously compose drawings of animals, plants, objects, humans, and gods. In the 1940s, a woman starts to sweep the Nazca lines and used so many brooms that, according to the locals, rumors circulated that she was a witch. Maria Reiche did much more than preserve geoglyphs: thanks to her training in science, she developed the first theory about its possible purpose as an astronomical calendar, a hypothesis still debated today. An unforgettable flight that will amaze you from starting to conclude. Taking a tour to Nazca lines is very simple, you just need to expend a full-day visit or book a two-day tour around the whole region.

Caral Sacred City

Caral changed historical paradigms of the world by showing that in the Central Andes a civilization arose in a similar era to Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China. Unlike those, who interacted between each other, Caral society had no contact with other civilizations, as it advanced in at least 1500 years to Olmeca society, another recognized civilized ancient focus of America. The Sacred City of Caral is a 5000-year-old archaeological site spanning 66 hectares. It is located in a desert area that dominates the fertile valley of the Supe River. From Lima City, you can visit and enjoy the amazing tour to Caral and get to know the importance of this city, and get closer to other tourist destinations that surround Caral City.

Chavin

The Chavín culture was considered for many years the oldest in Peru and its main center, the Chavín De Huantar Archaeological Site, is located in Ancash Region and was declared a Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 1985. The most impressive of this culture is its great artistic expression represented in its particular stone sculptures. To get to Chavín you will have to cross the Huscaran National Park, where you will find the highest snow-capped peaks of Peru and the world, if you want to have an adrenaline-fuelled adventure and tour its beautiful landscapes, this is the ideal area since just like Cusco has the best trekking routes in the country.

Chan Chan

This impressive archaeological site is located 5 kilometers from Trujillo city and is the most extensive mud construction in America. Chan Chan is a walled citadel where you can see some engravings with geometric shapes, animal figures such as birds or fish, or some other symbols. It is a Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 1986 for its great transcendence and historical value and has become an important tourist destination for domestic and foreign visitors. Chan Chan citadel achieved a high degree of economic, social, and urban development. It was later conquered by the Incas and later sacked by the Spanish. During this tour in Peru, you will discover the vestiges of one of the oldest cultures in Peru. Without a doubt a tourist destination that you should not miss on your vacation in Peru.

Choquequirao

Choquequirao is an ancient Inca city just like Machu Picchu, which remained hidden for many years due to its difficult access. Choquequirao fortress is located in Vilcabamba, a place known because it was where the Incas of the Manco dynasty resisted for 36 years (1536 – 1572) the Spanish conquerors, who never managed to drive them out of it. For some, this city is even more beautiful and imposing than Machu Picchu itself, however, it is a lot less visited. It is located on the edge between Apurímac and Cusco, and can only be accessed on a hike that can last from 4 to 7 days. The seven days trekking allows you to make a hike from Choquequirao to Machu Picchu and visit both monuments in a wonderful and exciting trekking route.

Huacas del Sol y de la Luna / Sun and Moon Temples

Located south of Trujillo city on the north coast of Peru, the sanctuary of “Huacas del Sol y de la Luna” was the ancient capital of Moche culture. The “Huaca del Sol” is a large pyramidal mound that is believed to have administrative purposes, while in the “Huaca de la Luna” we can observe beautiful mural paintings with scenes of war and gods. You will be amazed by the low-relief murals of Aiapaec, the punishing god of Mochica culture. Moreover, if you are already on the north coast of Peru, is recommended to visit the amazing museums that house the pieces of these cultures such as the Tumbas Reales museum, the Túcume Museum, the Cao Museum, and many others.

Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo fortress is an archaeological site that you will surely visit on your trip to Cusco, the Sacred Valley tour will take you to this one and some other impressive archaeological centers of great importance. Although in Cusco we can find countless vestiges of Inca culture, Ollantaytambo worth being mentioned in this list. It is presumed that it was the Inca Pachacutec who had Ollantaytambo built. Today, this picturesque village is a must-see spot for tourists visiting Machu Picchu. Is known as the ‘Living Inca City’, and its inhabitants maintain some of the traditions inherited by their Incas ancestors. Its main tourist destination is the archaeological site located next to the town and its beautiful craft market. Here is where you will find the train station that will take you on your tour to Machu Picchu.