Machu Picchu may be Peru’s most beloved tourist site, but it’s not the only ancient site worth exploring. There are dozens of stunning Pre-Incan sites throughout Peru that are even more stunning than the famed ruins of the Incas.
Fortunately, most of these ruins can be easily explored with a local guide from Cusco or another destination. Nonetheless, it’s wise to take precautions and leave valuables behind at home.
Huaca Pucllana
Huaca Pucllana, situated in Miraflores district of centralized Lima, is one of Peru’s most beloved ruins. This massive mud-brick platform pyramid dates back to at least the 5th century and continues to be excavated today. Additionally, there’s a small museum on site which showcases some of its discoveries; tours can also be taken in Spanish or English.
Though not as majestic as Machu Picchu, this ancient huaca is worth visiting nonetheless. It provides an insight into the culture that once ruled this part of Peru and shows just how much has changed since then.
This site was once home to the Lima culture, who lived in dry and desert zones and relied heavily on irrigation. They constructed extensive networks of aqueducts to bring water from natural springs to their villages. Furthermore, they were skilled at fishing and adjusting to the heat of the region.
This complex was a major religious centre dedicated to a goddess associated with the sea that covered more than 16 acres. It consisted of various buildings made from adobe, featuring courtyards and patios as well as ramps and storage rooms for visitors’ convenience.
These structures serve as a reminder of life before the Incas arrived on the continent. It’s an inspiring sight to observe how local people have come to value these ruins and recognize the need for safeguarding them from modern development.
Furthermore, this site boasts a small museum that displays some of the artifacts and tools found here. This is an ideal way to appreciate both its beauty and historical relevance.
For foodies, dine at the top restaurant that overlooks the ruins to experience authentic Peruvian cuisine. From lomo saltado (marinated sirloin with onions, tomatoes and rice) to their signature ceviche dish – there’s something for everyone on this menu.
Chef Marilu Madueno and Andrea Massaro, as well as promoter Arturo Rubio, own this restaurant and specialize in creating dishes with complex flavors from their Peruvian roots. You are sure to leave satisfied with their creations, plus prices are quite reasonable too!
Huaca del Sol
The Huaca del Sol (Temple of the Sun) is one of the world’s tallest pyramids. Constructed during Moche culture’s 7th century, it served as a site for religious and ceremonial activities as well as offering sacrifices to the gods.
This pyramid, constructed out of adobe bricks, is a sight to behold. Initially a single platform, it was covered and expanded over 700 years by different rulers as both a royal burial site and administrative hub.
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Moche gods and zoomorphic figures up close when you get up close and personal with intricate murals painted on the walls of this temple. Enthusiastic local guides will lead you through its layers, explaining all its intricate motifs adorning Moche deities and zoomorphic figures in vivid detail.
Once you’ve seen the inside of the pyramid, climb to its summit for some stunning views. Alternatively, explore its rocky base but be mindful of deterioration caused by El Nino’s heavy rains.
This ancient structure is composed of multiple levels, all covered in adobe bricks made from clay, straw and sometimes seashells. Although these bricks have eroded over time due to erosion, they still stand tall against the blue sky.
Climb up to the top of this pyramid if desired, though there are plenty of stairs. For a safe and stress-free journey, book a guide in advance as spaces are limited and booking ahead can fill up quickly.
In addition to its stunning architecture, Huaca del Sol is known for its connection with Peru’s Wari and Middle Horizon cultures due to the textiles found here that were created using S-spun cotton yarns with intricate Wari imagery.
The Huaca del Sol served as the seat of power for the Moche people, who could exert influence over this region. Their culture developed into an intricate network of city centers, palaces, temples and other buildings where priests held authority over various valleys across North America; here their leaders from individual polities were united under a single Moche identity.
Chachabamba
Chachabamba is an ancient ruin located in Peru along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Situated in a fertile valley with lush vegetation and an isolated location, Chachabamba attracts travelers from far and wide alike.
Chachabamba was a sacred and significant site for the Inca people, serving as both a gatehouse to and protector of Machu Picchu city.
At this site, several buildings were discovered, including one used as a church and another serving as an administrative center. There are inscriptions in the walls which indicate that the Inca people used this location for religious and ceremonial activities.
According to NBC News, archaeologists discovered structures within this ruined complex that had been lost for centuries. Utilizing lasers and drones, researchers were able to uncover these long-lost remnants of the Inca city.
Lidar, or light detection and ranging, is a remote sensing technology that bounces laser pulses off surfaces to detect features and map their contours. This tool has become indispensable for scientists as it provides them with access to remote areas which were previously too dangerous or inaccessible for direct observation.
At Chachabamba, experts used lidar technology to uncover parts of a water system running through the site. These discoveries provide new insight into its function as an Inca ceremonial center and demonstrate how they used water control to perform rituals.
The research team discovered a dozen small structures at this site, which they believe to be part of an elaborate ceremonial water complex constructed by the Incas. These could have served as resting spots for pilgrims taking spiritual baths before entering Machu Picchu citadel.
These findings demonstrate the Incas’ impressive and elaborate water control techniques, suggesting this was their way of asserting their dominance over certain territories. This aspect of their culture continues to be studied today by numerous scholars.
Sarcophaguses of Karajia
Karajia, located in Chachapoyas region north of Lima, offers visitors an intriguing side trip. These ancient remains can be an exciting addition to any Peru itinerary.
Karajia’s sarcophagi are perched atop a cliff overlooking a river gorge and were built by the Chachapoyas people to house their dead. Standing 2.5 meters tall, these sarcophagi have been preserved due to their inaccessible position within the cliff edge.
These ancient structures were constructed out of clay, ichu, straw and held together with mud mortar. Additionally, they were decorated with smoke white and red ochre layers of face and body paint for protection.
These sarcophagi are still in excellent condition due to their location on a cliff and protection from looters. They were constructed for interment of mummified bodies individually in a fetal position, wrapped in cotton blankets and facing forward.
At one time, there were eight sarcophagi, but one was destroyed by an earthquake in 1928. Today they remain well preserved and can be visited on a tour from Chachapoyas.
If you want to experience the beauty of Karajia, book a full day tour from Chachapoyas which usually includes visits to Quiocta Caves along the way. A visit to Karajia’s sarcophagi should definitely be part of any trip to this part of Peru – don’t miss it!
Arriving at Cruz Pata, a small outpost near Karajia’s ruins, you can rent horses to ride downhill towards the site. It takes around 25 minutes to reach the sarcophagi and there is also a shelter to ensure you don’t get lost along the way.
After reaching the sarcophagi, your guide will lead you around them and explain their significance. According to local legend, these tombs were home to wise men and warriors.
At the center of each sarcophagus is a large hole designed to house a mummy. Karajia’s sarcophagus is further surrounded by a pond – believed to be where the mummies rest after death.
As with the Mausoleums of Revash, these sarcophagi are a must-see during any trip to Peru. Built as monuments to honor their dead, they serve as an incredible window into Peru’s ancient culture and offer visitors an insight into mystical cultures that existed before the Incas took control. Discovering these treasures will allow you to delve deeper into Peru’s mysterious past while getting an unforgettable glimpse into its fascinating mystical past.