22 Jul. 2021 A journey to Pérou means following in the footsteps of ancient civilizations that left their imprint on the entire history of South America. While Machu Picchu is the most celebrated Inca ruin in the country, other remains are equally worthy of exploration. From the Sacred Valley to agricultural terraces, hydraulic networks, and cemeteries carved into mountainsides… Discover the most beautiful archaeological sites to experience during a Pérou circuit!

The Ruins of Pisac

Located in the famous Sacred Valley, 30 km from Cusco, the ruins of Pisac are considered the second most impressive Inca site in the world, after the celebrated Machu Picchu. Clinging to the mountainside, the site offers extraordinary panoramas. You'll discover, among other things, the ruins of fortifications and dwellings as well as vertiginous terraces that were used (and continue to be used) for agricultural cultivation, a testament once again to the spectacular ingenuity of the Inca people.

The Moray Complex

Still in the Sacred Valley of Pérou, don't miss the Moray complex. These are agricultural terraces distinguished by their circular form. For the Incas, this was primarily an agronomic research center where concentric terraces were designed to create micro-climates imitating different regions of the empire. A remarkably ingenious landscape design that would have allowed the cultivation of 250 different plant species. Nearby, you'll also find the salt ponds of Maras, which remain in operation today and are open to visitors!

The Cumbe Mayo Site

Located in the Cajamarca region, the Cumbe Mayo site demonstrates the ancestral mastery of Andean civilizations in controlling water. Indeed, it is a hydraulic network whose construction dates back, according to archaeologists, to 1500 years before Christ. A true feat of hydraulic engineering, pre-Inca civilizations built canals here to channel water over more than 20 km! Beyond the hydraulic canals, the rock formations of Cumbe Mayo, eroded over millennia, offer breathtaking landscapes…

The Ventanillas of Otuzco

Still in the Cajamarca region, discover the Ventanillas of Otuzco. This is an extraordinary cemetery whose tombs were carved into volcanic rock on the mountainside. Translated as "small windows," the ventanillas were used, according to archaeologists, from 50 BC to 500 AD. It is thus one of Pérou's oldest archaeological sites.

The Fortified City of Kuelap

Built at the summit of a mountain in the north of Lima, the fortified city of Kuelap stands at 3,200 meters altitude and offers a breathtaking view of the Peruvian forest. Built by the Chachapoya – also known as the "Warriors of the Sky" – between 500 and 800 AD, the Kuelap fortress is nicknamed the "Machu Picchu of the north" for how impressive its architecture is!

To explore further: discover with us on a fabulous circuit the most beautiful Inca ruins in the Cusco area

Florine Dergelet

Florine Dergelet – A web writer for over 10 years, Florine Dergelet is a traveler driven by the desire to discover the world with an open heart. Each of her articles is an invitation to slow down, to listen, to understand. For her, traveling is not about checking countries off a map, but about forging bonds—often invisible yet always powerful—with places, peoples, and all manner of creatures in the animal kingdom. Her philosophy? To advise travelers with integrity, to awaken their conscience about animal welfare, respect for cultures, and the importance of humble, sustainable tourism. Because the most beautiful memories often emerge far from the spotlight, in the shadow of a trail, at the turn of a conversation, or in the quiet breath of a world we finally take time to listen to…