What Incan, Moche, etc. ruins should I see in Peru? (esp. <span title="Lima/Iquitos/Ucayali/Colca">Lima/Iquitos/Ucayali/Colc...</span> area)?

Question

Besides Machu Picchu, which I will of course be going to, what ruins would you recommend seeing in Peru?

I am going to be in Lima for most of the time, and I will go to either the Ucayali or Iquitos region and perhaps the Colca Canyon, so it would be better if you recommend ruins that are very close to these places.

I love going on the path less travelled by the way!

Answer 1

I want to start with Iquitos (I&#039;m taking my family there on July by the way). Iquitos is far away from any pre-columbian ruin, but you can go to Cajamarca by bus (over night) there are many important ruins in Cajamarca: &quot;The randsome room&quot;, &quot;the Inka throne in Apolonia hill&quot;, &quot;the cementary windows of Otuzco&quot; and above all the &quot;Inka hot spring bath&quot;. From Cajamarca you can go to CHACHAPOYAS and from there to the Condor Lagoon and the Kuelap ruins:

http://www.inkanatura.info/mapa_reinos_d...

You can find transport from Cajamarca to Chachapoyas by bus  easily (and cheap) and you can travel down river from Chachapoyas to Iquitos but this could take 4 days so maybe is better to fly.

Once in Iquitos you have to visit the biggest National Park in Peru: The Pacaya-Samiria (180 km southwest to Iquitos). Be carefull, on the Internet they offer you 4 nights on camping tents for US $ 900. It&#039;s a Rip Off!. It costs US $ 24 to get inside for 3 days! I&#039;m trying to get a better fee for doing the same thing. A better deal is with Amazon-Ecolodge (not tents but shelters and half the price) but I&#039;m still looking for a better deal, so keep in touch.

I&#039;ll keep you posted for the rest of your trip, be patient

Colca Canyon is great! and is on the way to Cuzco so you can go from Lima to Arequipa, then Colca canyon and afterwards you can head for Cuzco either by plane or by bus. In downtown Arequipa you can hire a small passenger vans called COMBIS that take you to the Colca canyon and back, staying one night at Chivay (or two if you want), the CRUZ del CONDOR and the Hot springs swimming pool in CHIVAY are a must go when you are there although there are no famous ruins over there, you will amaze a valley isolated from civilization for 200 years!

In Lima, if you have time, there&#039;s a great place to go. Markawasi at 4,000 mt above sea level

Answer 2

In Lima, you should visit Pachacamac (the second most important temple in the Inca Lands after the Coricancha in Cuzco, which you should also visit). Try to have luch at the &quot;Huca Pucllana&quot; Restaurant in Lima, you&#039;ll dine close to an old &quot;Huaca&quot; (place of worship of the old inhabitants of the region). At Colca, you have to visit &quot;Cruz del Condor&quot; to see the Condors of the region. Also there is an old Wari cementery at Toro Muerto.

In Iquitos, try Pacaya Samiria and DO visit the old iron house in the main square of the city.

Answer 3

machu picchu

Answer 4

It is funny that I stumbled across your question. I just got done reading a book called &#039;The Celestine Propechy&#039; last night and the whole book is based in these locations which gave me the insight to want to visit these places some day. Sorry I can&#039;t help answer your question but either way I hope you have fun and enjoy seeing the ruins...wow what a sight to be held I bet!