The mystery (and, indeed, the mist!) shrouding Machu Picchu makes it one of the world’s most fascinating archaeological wonders and, for many, the biggest attraction to visiting Peru. There are, however, plenty of other incredible ancient archaeological landmarks that are well worth visiting and paint a much broader picture of the scope of the Inca Empire and Peru’s storied history.
If you are planning a trip, expertise and experience can help you build your dream itinerary. Llama Travel has sold holidays to Peru since 2002, and 99% of their past guests would recommend them. Many of their holidays combine these archaeological gems with time exploring the other cultural and natural attractions in Peru; mix-and-match your dream itinerary here.
Ollantaytambo: a living Inca town
Nestled at the northwestern end of the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo is known as the "living Inca town" because its current inhabitants still reside in foundations and street grids laid out by the Incas centuries ago.
Towering over the town are massive, sheer stone terraces that served as both a formidable fortress and a religious temple. Climbing to the top offers sweeping views of the valley floor and a profound appreciation for how the Incas moved multi-ton pink granite blocks across raging rivers.
Sacsayhuaman: a megalithic masterpiece
Just on the outskirts of Cusco sits Sacsayhuaman, an expansive fortress that showcases the absolute pinnacle of Inca masonry. The site is comprised of enormous stone blocks, the heaviest of which weigh over 125 tonnes. Over 20,000 workers were enlisted to haul the blocks from quarries near and far to build the structure, which legend says was designed to mimic the head of a puma. Ancient Cusco and other nearby ruins were designed to form the body and tail/paws, respectively.
Along with its architectural impressiveness and historical significance, having played host to an infamous battle between the Incas and the conquistadors, Sacsayhuaman has wonderful natural beauty, with great views over nearby Cusco.
Chinchero: terraces and textiles
Perched high on a plain above the Sacred Valley, Chinchero combines striking archaeology with wonderful views and living Andean culture.
Modern-day Chinchero emerged from a former Inca Emperor’s royal estate and country retreat; many more recent buildings, including the 16th-century Iglesia Colonial de Chinchero (Colonial Church of Chinchero), have been built directly on top of the ruins. It can be interesting to spot ancient Inca walls and niches within, around, and underneath the more recent structures.
Known as the Rainbow Town, Chinchero is as famous for its traditional textile workshops, where local women produce wonderful Andean-style blankets, ponchos and hats, as it is for its Inca ruins.
Qoricancha (The Temple of the Sun)
Qoricancha, in Cusco, is remarkable for a few reasons. In its heyday, it was likely the most prominent religious and political centre in all of the Inca Empire, its walls lined with gold and corridors lined with ornate statues. When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, they stripped Qoricancha of its precious metals and built the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo, among other structures, directly on top of the terraces. Thanks to its masterfully crafted Inca stonework, the original structure has outlasted major earthquakes that damaged the newer Spanish buildings above it, though the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo still stand.
Since then, the modern urban centre has been constructed in the area surrounding Qoricancha, meaning it stands as a fascinating example of Cusco’s ancient past in one of its busiest areas.
While the allure of Machu Picchu has fascinated visitors to Peru for centuries, there is so much to explore beyond the Lost City of the Incas, whether it is the other Inca archaeological wonders or Peru’s colourful cities and varied landscapes. If you are considering a holiday to Peru, the experts at Llama Travel can narrow down the perfect itinerary for you. Contact them or enquire about a Peru holiday to speak to one of them and begin planning.
