Beyond Machu Picchu

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Machu Picchu has long been on a travel wish list for me.  But did you know that it is not the only Citadel perched in the high Andies mountains?  Just north of Machu Picchu is another Incan ruins site that is considered to be larger and more impressive the Machu Picchu.  But wait, there’s more!  Here are several other unique and interesting sites to see not far from Machu Picchu.

 

Kuelap

 

Just south of the city of Chachapoyas lies the fortress of Kuelap.  This Incan ruin is located on a high mountain ridge and was build 500 to 800 years before Machu Picchu.  Until recently getting to this site was difficult.  It was either a four-hour hike or treacherous car ride to the top.  In 2017 a cable car was installed that takes visitor the 4-kilometer distance from the nearest road to the top of Kuelap.  The site was intended to house up to 4,000 inhabitants in stone buildings.  The site was abandoned shortly after the Spanish Conquistadors took over the area and not rediscovered until the late 1800’s.

 

Karajia

 

70 kilometers northwest of Chachapoyas is a little know cliff wall that hosts sarcophagi in the shape of humans.  Made from clay, the sarcophagi sit along a narrow cliff.  The tombs were raided long ago but there is still a group of six that remain mostly intact.  These clay tombs used to hold important leaders and members of the people indigenous to the area.  You have to hike to get there and it will take about 30 minutes of hiking to reach it, but this is an archeological site you should put on your list of places to explore while in Peru.

 

So if you are looking for an off the beaten path place to explore, you should consider Peru. These are just a couple of examples of wonderful, not well-publicized locations to see in Peru.  If you are looking to explore more remote or exotic locals, contact us, your exploration specialists.  We can help you plan the perfect immersive vacation that takes you to off the beaten path!