Attractions · Going Out · Peru · Regions · South America
6 places to go off the beaten path in Peru
Go off the beaten path in Peru, and find the remains of some of the world’s oldest civilizations. These cities may have crumbled, but you can still get a sense of their former glory when you tour the art and intimidating walls they left behind.
Not so ancient, but no less impressive is the complex masonry that the Inca left behind. They picked stones that fit perfectly together to make strong walls — so strong they’ve survived to the present day.
Caral
Caral is the grandaddy of ancient sites in the Americas. It’s over 5,000 years old, making it one of the very first cities in the western hemisphere. The main pyramid is truly enormous, and the entire site covers 150 acres (60 ha). In addition to the main pyramid, you can see remnants of residential buildings and ball courts. Archeologists believe this place had a population of around 3,000 people.
Sillustani Tombs
The Sillustani Tombs keep watch over Lake Titicaca. They were left behind by the Colla, a Pre-Inca civilization. The Colla fled to the islands of Lake Titicaca to escape the marauding Inca. On some islands, you can still find pockets of Pre-Inca civilization and see their handmade textiles. But at the Sillustani Tombs, these beautifully carved stones bear silent testimony to an ancient civilization.
Sechín
Sechín’s excavation is the work of Julio C. Tello, who is Peru’s most renowned archeologist. This site dates back as far as 1,800 B.C. You can walk around the outside of the complex and witness the sheer size and strength of the Sechín civilization. Look closely at the designs on the walls — a guide can tell you about the grisly details behind the grotesque depictions of prisoners and warriors.
Tucumé
Tucumé once attracted shamans, who considered it a magic and sacred place. It has a total of 26 pyramids. There is a museum on site where you can learn more about the rituals that used to take place here. Climb to the top of the hill called Cerro Purgatorio for a sweeping view of the entire site.
Q’enqo
Inca carved the main feature of the Q’enqo site from a large, already existing stone. Archeologists believe that this site served as a site for animal sacrifice and that the grooves cut into the stone channeled the blood. Below the Q’enqo monolith, man-made caves served as secret chambers, and their purpose remains a mystery.
Puca Pucara
Further up the hill from Q’enqo are the ruins of Puca Pucara. In addition to ruins, this site has incredible views of the sloping hillside that leads to Cusco. Puca Pucara translates to “red rocks.” Visit the site at sunset to see the site take on a fiery hue.
Zach Smith is CEO of Anywhere.
If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
Sillustani Tombs
The Sillustani Tombs keep watch over Lake Titicaca. They were left behind by the Colla, a Pre-Inca civilization. The Colla fled to the islands of Lake Titicaca to escape the marauding Inca. On some islands, you can still find pockets of Pre-Inca civilization and see their handmade textiles. But at the Sillustani Tombs, these beautifully carved stones bear silent testimony to an ancient civilization.
Sechín
Sechín’s excavation is the work of Julio C. Tello, who is Peru’s most renowned archeologist. This site dates back as far as 1,800 B.C. You can walk around the outside of the complex and witness the sheer size and strength of the Sechín civilization. Look closely at the designs on the walls — a guide can tell you about the grisly details behind the grotesque depictions of prisoners and warriors.
Tucumé
Tucumé once attracted shamans, who considered it a magic and sacred place. It has a total of 26 pyramids. There is a museum on site where you can learn more about the rituals that used to take place here. Climb to the top of the hill called Cerro Purgatorio for a sweeping view of the entire site.
Q’enqo
Inca carved the main feature of the Q’enqo site from a large, already existing stone. Archeologists believe that this site served as a site for animal sacrifice and that the grooves cut into the stone channeled the blood. Below the Q’enqo monolith, man-made caves served as secret chambers, and their purpose remains a mystery.
Puca Pucara
Further up the hill from Q’enqo are the ruins of Puca Pucara. In addition to ruins, this site has incredible views of the sloping hillside that leads to Cusco. Puca Pucara translates to “red rocks.” Visit the site at sunset to see the site take on a fiery hue.
Zach Smith is CEO of Anywhere.
If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
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Sillustani Tombs looks very unique and beauty. Puca pucara looks so beautiful from above. Oh god, i fell in love with peru. Someday I will visit peru to see these places directly with my eyes
I have never been Peru.I just graduated from college and I am planning to travel some countries this year. I have already finished a few countries.Thanks for sharing. Maybe Peru will be the next one!
This looks like a beautiful area – very different to the types of places I usually visit, but there’s definitely a pull here. How is the safety and security in Peru? Is it recommended to take a guide at all times, or can it be explored safely independently? Ancient civilisation is absolutely fascinating to me. To think of what these must have looked like in their prime is astounding.
What a place with such history! I’m glad this is a unique blog post on Peru – I haven’t heard of any of these places before. The pyramid in Caral sounds absolutely overwhelming, I couldn’t imagine the feeling you’d get being there and seeing it. Going on an excavation at one of these wonders would be a once in a lifetime experience for me. Is there many guided tours for these places?
I have always wanted to visit Peru due to it’s amazing history and the archaeological sights that you can see. They do say that Peru has the most ancient civilisation in the world. Is it true that the pyramid in Caral was built before the ones in Egypt?
All of these places look beautiful, I have never been to Peru. It’s on my bucket list though. Particularly interested in the historical sites of Caral. Q’enqo looks very interesting with the man made caves as secret chambers.
My son would adore going to somewhere like caral he is crazy for archaeology but I would love to go to Q’enqo it looks so lush and green and full of history a must see!
Some fascinating places here and one or two that I hadn’t heard of. Stupid question but is there anything I n the Sillustani Tombs, or are they more statuesque relics? Tucume, think I’ve come across it before. I wonder whether it still gets visitors now for the sacred, magical allure? There’s something my inner kid still loves about sites like these where you can explore, I get the same feeling with castles and ruins. Nice suggestions for places very much off the popular path to check out.