Peru is well-known for being the centre of the Inca empire centuries ago and there are still many remnants from this fascinating civilisation that you can visit today. If you’re planning a trip to the South American nation, here are a few sites you shouldn’t miss.
Machu Picchu, Peru
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Machu Picchu
Booking a trip to walk the Inca Trail is an absolute must while you’re in Peru, as it will not only lead you to the legendary mountain city of Machu Picchu, but will also take you past a host of other Inca sites on the way.
Among the most impressive is Phuyupatamarca, which translates as Cloud Town. The settlement is located within the cloud forest and you can still see its terraces very clearly. As it is almost always wreathed in clouds, it is an atmospheric place to stop off at.
The ruins of Sayaqmarca are also worth exploring en route to Machu Picchu. This town is perched on the edge of the cliff and its name means Inaccessible Town in English. You can only reach the buildings by negotiating a series of stone steps that are cut into the side to the mountain.
Of course, Machu Picchu is the main attraction and your first views of the landmark from the Sun Gate will be ones you don’t forget. The way in which the buildings and terraces blend in with the natural surroundings is truly breathtaking.
Sacsayhuamen
The Sacsayhuamen fort is located just outside Cusco, which means it is easy to visit either before or after your Inca Trail trek. Although incomplete, the remains of this enclave are impressive to behold, largely due to the vast size of the blocks of stone that were used to create its walls.
Some of these defences stand 5 m tall and are up to 300 m long in places, with the largest blocks of stone used in the walls estimated to weigh between 130 and 200 tons.
Sacsayhuamen’s location on top of a hill overlooking Cusco means it’s also a great vantage point from which to observe the city below, where you’ll discover elements of Inca architecture intermixed with colonial buildings.
Pachacamac shrine and temples
The Pachacamac shrine and temples are located outside Lima, Peru’s bustling capital city. This was once the destination of an important Inca pilgrimage and is home to several Inca temples. It is believed that the god worshipped here was the deity of fire and a child of the sun god.
Numerous pyramids are found in the area, as well as burial sites and ceremonial structures. There is now a museum here, too, where you can learn more about the Inca religion and why people would travel thousands of miles to visit these shrines.
Espiritu Pampa
Often described as the true last city of the Incas, Espiritu Pampa is considered to be the final outpost of this once-great empire. It is much less frequently visited by travellers, so trekking through the jungle to reach the remains of this settlement feels like a real adventure.
Although Espiritu Pampa was discovered by explorer Hiram Bingham around the same time that he came across Machu Picchu, it was not until the 1960s that the site was extensively excavated, thereby revealing its size.
More than 350 buildings and houses have been uncovered here and, although large sections of the settlement are still hidden by undergrowth, you can clearly see some of the walls and remains of the homes that once made up this city.
