Archeological Sites in Peru
PeruIn some ways, Peru is synonymous with archaeology. Fantastic archaeological sites - the remnants of ancient civilizations that once flourished here - are scattered across the country. The most famous of these is undoubtedly Machu Picchu, the fabulous stone city built by the Inca, but there are all sorts of other sites for travelers to visit as well. These include pyramids, temples, tombs, ceremonial courtyards, and more...
Peru Highlights
A curated look at the best Peru has to offer. These are the destinations that consistently stand out — places with real character, great experiences, and something worth going out of your way for.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is the bucket-list tourist attraction and the highlight of many peoples’ trip to Peru; the vastness, location and detail of the ruins make it unmissable. Without a doubt this is the crown jewel of Peruvian ruins.
Explore DestinationChan Chan
Chan Chan is the huge abandoned capital of the Chimú civilization. Set just outside Trujillo on the North Coast of Peru, Chan Chan is the largest adobe city in the world.
Explore DestinationLost Pyramid of Caral
Caral is situated on the dry desert plateau overlooking the green valley of the Supe River. Approximately two and a half hours from Lima, Caral is unique because of its non-violent history and claim to be the second oldest ruin in the world.
Explore DestinationNazca Lines
Known by professionals as “geoglyphs,” the Nazca Lines always provoke a strong reaction in visitors to the area. Giant illustrations of plants and animals spread out over 280 square miles (450 km) of desert plateau in Peru’s southern lowlands. No one has yet proposed a compelling explanation for their placement or their location. There are approximately 70 designs—the most famous and frequently photographed of these designs are the monkey, the spider, and the hummingbird. Other illustrations depict fish, killer whales, lizards, and sharks. Some of the designs have dimensions as large as 660 feet (220 m).
Explore DestinationTambo Colorado
Tambo Colorado is an archeological site set some 22 miles (35 km) from Pisco. Built by the Inca, Tambo Colorado is one of the best-preserved sites along the coast of Peru.
Explore DestinationFeatured Peru Trips
Browse our handpicked selection of Peru itineraries, each crafted by local experts who know the country inside out. Whether you're after adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, we have a trip tailored for you.
A Family Wild at Heart
Explore some of Peru’s most exciting destinations when you and your family enjoy delicious cuisine, stunning scenery, and bucket list-worthy sites.
A Family Journey of a Lifetime
Anywhere made this so easy! No glitches in our travels at all. From the hike to Machu Picchu to speeding through sand dunes in a buggy, the entire experience was out of this world.
The Heart of The Incas
Trips like this don't cross your path every day. To get to the heart of Incan culture, you should taste their food, walk in their footsteps, and touch the sky.
Culinary Curiosity in Peru
Savor the Peru in all its glory with a combination of culinary and outdoor adventures. This tasty trip for two is just the vacation you need.
Wow, We Did it!
Excellent coordination and very helpful staff throughout the trip. Sara is the boss...she has good command of all aspects of our trip and provided the necessary help & support ...right from planning stage to boarding our flight back to US.
Peruvian Highlights for One
Take yourself to a whirlwind adventure through one of South America’s most vibrant countries with this ‘best of’ expedition through Peru.
Our Quest for Peruvian Adventures
The three of us have been dreaming about this trip for a long time. Everything was well arranged. We just had to be dressed, wait for our ride, and enjoy.
Romantic Journey to Machu Picchu
Peru is a beautiful country and we’re blown away by all the things we’ve seen. We were caught completely by surprise by the breathtaking coastline views.
The VIP Experience in Peru
I really could not be happier. The Anywhere Team made me feel like a VIP my entire time in Peru. The hotels were very nice & safe. The food was fantastic. Transportation was smooth, nice trains, safe airlines. I recommend Peru to all travelers!
We Conquered Huayna Picchu
This was a very personal experience and Anywhere.com does an amazing job of having agents who are cultured and/or very familiar with the country to which you wish to visit. This allows the agent to listen to what you want to experience and then match you up with the right outfitter, vendor, excursion group, etc...I felt like Sara Nizama truly listened to my wants/needs and made them a reality. I am so happy with my Peru experience, thanks to Sara and her team. I want to go back soon and explore more of Peru with the help of Sara and her team. Thank you!
Amazing Peaks and Majestic Ruins
PERU! is getting there. There are several areas where, for instance plastic bottles can be reused, by hotels providing large dispensers to refill existing bottles.
Peru—Beyond Machu Picchu
Famous sites are just the beginning of this Peruvian grand adventure. Indulge in internationally award-winning cuisine, breathtaking landscapes, and exciting activities.
Let's Feast Our Way Through Peru!
Want to celebrate a special event or simply toast your love? Indulge in lunch or dinner — welcome your special moments with a special meal on this gastronomic adventure.
Culinary Delight and Family Adventure
I learned so much of it's history and have such respect for it's culture.
Inca, Lake, & Culture Family Adventure
We were blown away by the beauty of the country—from the highland Lake Titicaca to the cultural experiences at Arequipa. We were *so* impressed with the Machu Picchu experience...we have to come back and explore more of Peru!
More Archeological Sites in Peru
There's always more to discover in Peru. From off-the-beaten-path gems to well-loved classics, these destinations are worth adding to your itinerary.
Huaca Rajada - Lord of Sipan Tomb
The outward appearance of Huaca Rajada is deceptive: these mud mountains (really adobe pyramids) may be less than striking at first glance, but are home to one of the most valuable tombs in Peru’s history. It’s recommended that those exploring this famous catacomb continue with a stop at the Tumbas Reales de Sipán museum in Chiclayo, for a comprehensive overview of this amazing find in the Lambayeque Valley.
El Brujo Complex
El Brujo is an ancient monument of the Moche culture. The original ruins - once filled with countless treasures and Peru's most famous mummy, the Lady of Cao - is now accompanied by an outstanding museum.
Kuntur Wasi
The oldest forged gold in the Americas was found at the archaeological site of Kuntur Wasi. Set within Peru’s Northern Highlands, this site was one of the most important ceremonial centers in the region during the Formative Period (2,500–50 B.C.).
Tucume
Known as “Purgatorio” (purgatory) by the local people, the Túcume site is one of the biggest pyramid complexes in Peru. These mountains of dripping mud used to be home to local shaman healers and a place of pilgrimage for the Lambayeque, Chimú, and Inca cultures.
Ollantaytambo Fortress
The staggeringly steep Inca ruins at the Ollantaytambo Fortress loom over the north side of the town of Ollantaytambo. They are famous for being one of the few places where the Incas defeated Spanish conquerors in a major battle.
Sillustani Tombs
A main archaeological attraction in the Lake Titicaca area is the burial site of Sillustani, which is about a 40-minute drive from Puno. These huge tombs are set on a hill above Lake Umayo and were used as graves for Colla nobility.
Pachacamac
The temple of Pachacamac is an archaeological site set 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Lima. It was the most important pilgrimage center in ancient Peru. Its central location brought the Moche, Nasca, Huari, Itchma, and Inca cultures down to the Lurin Valley where it meets the Pacific Ocean.
Ventanillas de Otuzco
The Ventanillas de Otuzco (Small Windows) are set just outside the town of Cajamarca. The site is made up of some 200 small windows carved into a cliff. The windows are actually old tombs from the Cajamarca culture.
Cumbe Mayo
The ancient aqueducts of Cumbe Mayo continue to baffle archaeologists. Set outside the town of Cajamarca in Peru’s Northern Highlands, Cumbe Mayo is an utterly fascinating place to visit.
Huaca Pucllana
Travelers don't have to trek into the Andes to see vestiges of Peru's ancient civilizations. Lima has a large number of historical ruins, and Huaca Pucllana is one of the best.
Lady of Cao
On the beautiful northern coastline of Peru, overlooking the blue Pacific, one of the most mysterious monuments of the Moche people, Huaca El Brujo (Sacred Place of the Wizard), gives a rare glimpse into this ancient culture. The mummified body of a young woman was uncovered in the ruins, and, to this day, so much mystery surrounds her story that photos of the Lady and even the museum are prohibited.
Chavín de Huantar
Chavín de Huantar is a pre-Incan ruin that contains an exciting subterranean section. It's a fun and unique place to visit, especially for travelers who are interested in the history and culture of Peru's Central Highlands.
Tombs of Revash
Revash is a collection of tombs near the town of Santo Tomás. The tombs look like houses and are set alongside the ledges of limestone cliffs.
Kuelap Fortress
The Kuélap Fortress is considered the largest stone ruins in the New World, and is made out of massive limestone blocks bigger than those used in the Egyptian Pyramids. Now carefully restored after many years of work, the citadel stands magnificently high on a hill, with sprawling remains that rival Machu Picchu.
Huaca Huallamarca
Huaca Huallamarca is a restored adobe pyramid in Lima’s San Isidro neighborhood. This pyramid offers travelers a good opportunity to see ancient structures in the heart of Lima.
Mandor Waterfalls
The Mandor Waterfalls are set just outside the town of Aguas Calientes. A hike to these waterfalls is a great afternoon activity.
Moray Amphitheater
The Moray Amphitheater is a mind-boggling Inca construction located next to the town of Maras in the Sacred Valley. The view from the top is worth the visit on its own, though it is great fun to explore the many levels via stone stepladders.
Pisac Ruins
Písac’s sprawling Inca ruins, known as Inca Písac, are perched on a plateau above the town, with a plunging gorge on either side. Consisting of a temple, baths, an altar, a ceremonial platform, and agricultural terracing, this well-maintained site once served as a religious, agricultural and military center.
Puca Pucara
The ruins of Puca Pucara, about 4 miles (7 km) from Cusco and up the hill from Saksaywamán and Q’enqo, consist of fort walls, terraces, and staircases in the Incan style. Travelers will enjoy amazing views of the Cusco Valley and southern glaciers from the site.
Sacsayhuaman
Perched on the hillside north of Cusco, the immense fortress ruins of Sacsayhuamán are some of the most impressive ruins in the area, holding both religious and military significance. When visitors hike up to the site, they will likely see a herd of alpaca, the domesticated South American camelid, roaming among the ruins.
Cantayoc Aqueducts
Built by the Nazca people during the pre-Columbian period of Peruvian history, the Cantalloc Aqueducts continue to serve their original purpose. Local farmers still rely on this series of canals to bring water to the arid region.
Ramson Room of Atahualpa
The Ransom Room of Atahualpa (Cuarto de Rescate) played an important role in Inca history. Although historians debate whether the room was used to hold the gold ransom for Inca Atahualpa or to keep Inca Atahualpa captive, the room’s significance is not in question.
Kotosh Ruins
At the Ruins of Kotosh, you can go for an educational hike around one of Peru’s oldest archeological sites. Built around 2000 BC, the site today consists of a cluster of low, stone walls. Kotosh’s builders used mud to hold the stones together. You can explore a partial reconstruction of one of the buildings that overlooks the ruins.
Sarcophagi of Karajia
The sarcophagi of Karajía are located 45 miles (70 km) northwest of Chachapoyas. These clay tombs have human forms and are set along the edge of a cliff—an altogether dramatic and strange sight.
Tambomachay
Located 5 miles (8 km) from Cusco, Tambomachay is a peaceful Inca site consisting of a series of delicately carved aqueducts, canals, and waterfalls that run through the terraced rocks.
Las Haldas
Peru’s Pacific coast is a major attraction - and has been so for many thousands of years. We know this because of excavation of a site called Las Haldas, a vast site that dates back to Peru’s Initial period, around 2,000 BC. At its height, it is thought to have housed 10,000 inhabitants. Historians look to this site as a key to the very beginnings of Peruvian culture. Visit the site for a hike and a guided tour. Once you’ve had a hike around the ruins, you can relax on the nearby beach.
Q’enqo
Q’enqo is an archaeological site just 15 minutes from Cusco. This site is a mysterious and dark reminder of the sacrificial practices and death rituals of the Incas.
Sechín Mountain
Sechín is a must see when passing through the Casma Valley. The dry, sandy landscape is well known for it's pre-Incan culture and adobe pyramids. Sechín stands out for its intricate rock carvings
Insider-led Costa Rica Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
Get StartedPrivate drivers; English-speaking available.
Avoid the crowds in private day tours.
Better stays, better pacing, better reservations.
Insider-only experiences and exclusive local partners.
24/7 in-country support by phone, text, and WhatsApp.
Insider-led Costa Rica Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
Real Voices, Real Benefits
We believe travel is more than ticking destinations off a list – it's about discovering new places deeply, feeling connected wherever you go, and knowing you have a trusted team of local experts behind you every step of the way.
