If you have completed your Machu Picchu tours and are looking for something else to get you excited, or if you are just arriving in Peru and wish to avoid the crowds at the infamous Inca citadel, do not worry, there are plenty of other archeological sites to discover throughout the country. Best of all, due to Peru's rich history of having had many civilizations occupying its land, there are ruins to be found no matter what region you are in. Here are 4 of our favorites:
Northern Peru - Kuelap, Chachapoyas
Although in the Amazonas state, Chachapoyas and Kuelap are not in the rainforest. Rather, this ancient fortress sits high on a ridge over the Utcubamba Valley, earning it the nickname of being Peru's Other Machu Picchu. It was built by the Chachapoyas culture more than 1,300 years ago but was not discovered by modern society until 1843. Impressively, over 400 structures constitute the site of Kuelap, and the cylindrical and otherwise curved shapes make the site look like a marvelous dream sure to make your Peru holidays memorable ones.
Central Peru - Pachacamac, Lima
Lima is the capital city with more than 8 million calling it home, but it was once the base for people such as the Lima and the Huari. It was precisely these societies, and later the Incas, who constructed Pachacamac, a large site just 25 miles south of the metropolis. There are now 17 pyramids identified by researchers, which are believed to have originally been used for religious purposes, in particular to honor Pacha Kamaq, the Earth-Maker. Pachacamac has been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site not only for its historical significance today but also because of its importance to the ancient people who would travel for days just to worship here.
Southern Peru - Pisac, Sacred Valley
Just beyond Machu Picchu in the Sacred Valley of the Incas is the site of Pisac. Although the village is now more known for its bustling traditional market on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, the archeological site is largely popular as the best way to whet a traveler's appetite for the big finale of Machu Picchu. The Intihuatana, or Temple of the Sun, is a structure not to miss, and the surrounding Inca crop terraces digging into the mountainsides make the site a true gem. If Pisac does not satisfy, also visit Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, or Moray also in the Cusco and Sacred Valley areas.
This article about Peru ruins and archeological sites was written by a travel expert at Peru For Less who specializes in helping you organize best value Machu Picchu tours as part of your fully customizable Peru holidays.
No comments:
Post a Comment