Things to do in Peru, Peru: The Best Ancient Ruins

May 9, 2022 Vivienne Hutton

Coordinates: 10°S 76°W / 10°S 76°W / -10; -76
Restaurants in Peru

1. Archaeological Park Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo 08676 Peru
Excellent
77%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5,507 reviews

Archaeological Park Ollantaytambo

Reviewed By Lufdoc

Great site for exploring and getting a feel for Incan beliefs, skills, etc. before heading to Machu Picchu or hiking the Inca Trail. Climb to higher levels to get full sense.

2. Choquequirao

Peru
Excellent
85%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
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5.0 based on 279 reviews

Choquequirao

Considered to be the "sister" to Machu Picchu, this ancient ruin complex consists of palaces and temples on two levels, canals, aqueducts and systems of fountains.

Reviewed By pikbeai - Monte-Carlo, Monaco

Searching the web, you’ll find yourself inundated with articles professing to tell you about the top ‘must-see’ destinations in the whole world; the places that you just have to go to if you’re travelling; or the top ten south american destinations that you need to fit into a three-week holiday. But I wanted to do something a little differently. I wanted to travel more profoundly, more consciously and off the beaten path and adventurous experiences from unusual hotels, alternative routes to a popular destination, trekking trails, offbeat attractions, street food tours, and other uncommon experiences. If you like to travel a bit differently and are willing to put in the effort for incredible experiences fewer people are having so let me tell you Thaqqinaqqa T.O. worth it! so that you can stop being a mute outsider and can start to learn more about the country from those who know it best and not from "swindlers" who think they are experts when they are not. For me, travel is best when it’s off the grind( peering beneath the manicured lawns of the tourist trail and see the raw, pumping veins of the life flowing beneath.) and meaningful; taking us away from the tourist hot spots and plunge us deep into the heart of this wonderful country. It’s about heading to a small town where no other tourists go or finding barely-known adventures a stone’s throw from the cities where everyone goes. We (9 of us: five 55-60yo + four 27-34yo )opted in total for one tour and two trekking tours with him : Millpu 2D; Huancacalle to Choquequirao 9D and from Cusco to Colca Canyon 6D; which gave us memorable(and often much more unique)experiences than merely following the hordes of other tourists as it brings you into closer proximity with the local people and their real common lives; rather we have not enough words for recommend him and in no way we are disappointed.

3. Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu Peru http://www.cultura.gob.pe/es/patrimonio/sitiosdepatrimoniomundial/listapatrimoniomundialperu/santuariomachupicchu
Excellent
92%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
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0%
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5.0 based on 19,577 reviews

Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu

Reviewed By JarmilaS428 - Vancouver, Canada

What an amazing place! The nature, view and of course the Inka ruins WOW!!! Peru was on my bucket list and I did it :D Lima, Cusco, train ride to Machu Picchu, Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Uros floating island, Amantani island one night stay with local family, Taquile island, Nazca - Nazca mysterious lines flight tour, Ica - Huacachina oasis, Winery El Catador tasting and buying :D, Paracas, and Ballestas island boat tour. Everything was amazingly excellent; hotels, our tour guide Franco from Peru Best Holidays, train rides, markets, food, Pisco Sour and Peruvian people. I will never forget! <3

4. Huaca Pucllana

Calle General Borgono s/n, cuadra 8, Lima 15074 Peru +51 1 6177148 [email protected] http://huacapucllanamiraflores.pe/
Excellent
51%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
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4.5 based on 7,333 reviews

Huaca Pucllana

Built by millions of adobe bricks, these ruins once served as an administrative center and a pre-Inca ceremonial site dedicated to the God Pachacamac.

Reviewed By alanlid - Oxford, United Kingdom

Smack in built-up Lima, within easy walking distance of the centre of Miraflores (where visitors often stay), this is a remarkable archaeological site: a vast brick pyramid - and outlying courtyards - built of adobe and, thanks to its ingenious 'bookshelf' design, still standing after some 1700 years, despite earthquakes. The tour involves a bit of modest (safe) climbing and takes about an hour; our guide, Jorge, was very good, and explained the sequence of cultures who inhabited the site, how they worked, what they grew and ate (by way of illustration, there is a small garden and some domestic animals - guinea pigs, vicuña, etc. - which will appeal to the kids). Very interesting, unless you're averse to old sites of this kind, The restaurant is meant to be very good, though not cheap; we resisted the temptation.

5. Sacsayhuaman

Cusco 08000 Peru http://www.cultura.gob.pe/
Excellent
68%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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4.5 based on 14,590 reviews

Sacsayhuaman

Reviewed By KubsSofyan - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

This place is known for being a fortress according to the guide, here there was a battle between the conquerors and the Incas the most interesting about this place is its architecture, here there are huge stones that were used for the construction of Sacsayhuaman.

6. Chan Chan

Trujillo Peru +51 44 248744 http://chanchan.gob.pe/
Excellent
59%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,513 reviews

Chan Chan

This archaeological zone, an excellent example of pre-Colombian America, once served as the capital of the Chimu Kingdom, which reached the height of its power in the 15th century before falling under the Incas.

Reviewed By gread2016 - Castlegar, Canada

Ancient ruins uncovered in Peru and very interesting. Unfortunately the government does not have the money to carry on with the excavation of these sites but that have great value

7. Temple of the Sun

Machu Picchu Peru +51 992 059 069 http://www.sungate.com.pe
Excellent
74%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
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4.5 based on 971 reviews

Temple of the Sun

Built in the form of a circular tower on a massive slab of granite, this sacred edifice contains the famous Intiwatana, or sun dial, which the Incas used to "tie down" the sun at the winter solstice each year.

Reviewed By GoGo2SlowGo - Denton, United States

The Temple of the Sun at Machu Picchu swas a sacred temple built by the Inca for ceremonies to pay tribute and give offerings to the sun. Only priests and other high ranking Incas were likely only permitted access into the Temple of the Sun, one of the most sacred temples in all of Machu Picchu. The site was adapted to natural environment.The construction is semi-circular and built atop an enormous granite rock. There is a tower with a trapezoidal window. In this sacred temple, it’s believed that Incas worshiped their Sun God, Inti and it may have served as a royal tomb. This is definitely worth your visit at Machu Picchu

8. Temple of the Three Windows

Machu Picchu Peru +51 992 059 069 http://www.sungate.com.pe
Excellent
64%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
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4.5 based on 662 reviews

Temple of the Three Windows

Located west of the main square, this sacred temple is known for its huge walls and three trapezoidal-shaped windows through which the sun's rays would pass illuminating the "Sacred Plaza" beyond.

Reviewed By deborahk3 - Maidstone, United Kingdom

The Temple of the Three Windows is located on the Sacred Plaza in the main Urban section. The long main wall features three large windows, facing east. This allows the rising sun to shine through, illuminating the sacred plaza. When visiting, take some time to appreciate the wonder of this structure.

9. Pachacamac

Autopista Antigua Panamericana Sur km 31 Close to Lurin, Lima 16 Peru +51 1 3215606 http://www.pachacamac.net/
Excellent
48%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,591 reviews

Pachacamac

Located only 31 kilometers from Lima, these ancient ruins are all that remain of an important religious center that was constructed more than 1,000 years before the Inca Empire.

Reviewed By skyejack - Malvern, Australia

The Pachacamac ruins cover a very large site 31 k south of Lima where a town for 20,000 people was built in 700 AD, pre Inca era. It is a sandy desert with several amazing excavations including a rebuilt house of the chosen women, a granary story of huge proportions, a burial site and a sun temple for adoration of the Sun God. Next door but not part of the site is a Private Hacienda with a 1st class Paso Horse stud.

10. Qorikancha

Avenida El Sol, 3rd block, Cusco Peru
Excellent
56%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7,441 reviews

Qorikancha

This ruin was once the most important temple of the Incas, which was later used as a base for the Church of Santo Domingo when the Spanish conquered the city.

Reviewed By InspireyouLife - Volma, Belarus

A unique work of Inca architecture, very finely worked stones, today part of this ancient Inca temple is occupied by the Dominican order, and even though time has passed the Inca culture resists against it.

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