After the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu was named one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, Peru compiled its own list of 7 Peruvian Wonders (both natural and cultural), setting aside the already globally recognized winner, the enigmatic citadel of Machu Picchu.
Here is the complete list of these 7 Peruvian Wonders:
1- The Nazca Lines (Ica):
The Nazca Lines are ancient geoglyphs belonging to the Nazca culture. They are notable for being composed of several hundred figures with diverse designs etched into the earth's surface. These forms can be geometric, zoomorphic, and phytomorphic; they range from simple lines to complex figures. They extend over an area of 450 km².
The Nazca Lines of the Pampas de Jumana have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. It is also one of the 7 Peruvian wonders. However, unfortunately, in recent years, it has suffered due to the construction of the Pan-American Highway and off-road vehicle traffic.
2- Lake Titicaca (Puno)
It is located between the territories of Peru and Bolivia, in the Andean Altiplano of the Central Andes, within the Collao Plateau; and it is at an altitude of 3,812 meters above sea level.
Lake Titicaca is made up of two bodies of water separated by the Strait of Tiquina; the larger one is located to the north and is called Lake Mayoro or Chucuito. It has a surface area of 6,450 square kilometers and a depth of about 238 meters, near Soto Island.
The smaller body of water, called Lake Menor or Huiñamarca, is located to the south and has a surface area of 2,112 square kilometers; it also has a depth of approximately 45 meters.
Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world and ranks 19th in surface area.
3- Huayllay Stone Forest (Pasco)
The Huayllay Stone Forest is located in the district of Huayllay, province of Pasco, department of Pasco, in central Peru. It belongs to the Andean foothills.
The area of the Huayllay district is 607 km². The climate in this region is cold and dry, with temperatures ranging from 13.8°C to -8°C.
The main tourist attraction is the Huayllay Stone Forest, which covers an area of 6,815 hectares and is located at an altitude of 4,310 meters above sea level. This stone forest is considered the largest and highest in the world.
4- Gran Pajatén (La Libertad)
Gran Pajatén is the archaeological complex of the Chachapoyas Culture, located in the Abiseo River basin at approximately 2,850 meters above sea level. Its geographic coordinates are 77° 17′ west longitude and 07°45′ south latitude. Politically, it belongs to the district of Huicungo, in the province of Mariscal Cáceres, San Martín region.
Gran Pajatén is situated deep in the high jungle on a narrow, uneven plateau shaped like a crescent moon. Access to this site was quite difficult, as it is located on a buttress extending from the steep slopes of the hills bordering one of the Huallaga River basins. It is a typical Chachapoya construction; they often built their structures in hard-to-reach places.
5- Marcahuasi Plateau (Lima)
This is a volcanic plateau, approximately 4 square kilometers in area, located at almost 4,000 meters above sea level in the highlands of Huarochirí, east of the city of Lima, Peru.
This site is made up of a collection of gigantic granite boulders whose origin is subject to various theories.
The most pragmatic believe that these rocks are the result of nature's whims on masses of diorite, sculpted by wind and rain erosion over millennia. These rocks have produced curious shapes and designs, which explorers have named according to their appearance (a good imagination is required for this).
On the Marcahuasi Plateau, three ruined citadels can also be seen, which, according to archaeologist Julio Cesar Tello, belonged to the Huanca culture.
6- Marcahuamachuco Citadel (La Libertad)
The Marcahuamachuco Citadel is an archaeological complex of pre-Incan constructions located in the Sánchez Carrión Province of the La Libertad Region, Peru. Although it is a little-known complex, it is considered by archaeologists to be the "Machu Picchu of the North" and "The Jewel of La Libertad." This architectural site is located at an altitude of 3,700 meters above sea level.
The Marcahuamachuco archaeological site is notable for its large circular walls; it was probably built by the Moche culture. Niches and various administrative and religious buildings can also be found there.
7- Chan Chan Citadel (La Libertad)
The name Chan Chan comes from the Quingnam language (likely the original language of the north-central coast). Chan Chan means "Shining Sun." This citadel is a pre-Columbian adobe city, built on the northern coast of Peru by the Chimú people.
Chan Chan is the largest adobe city in the Americas and the second largest in the world; for this reason, it is considered one of the Seven Wonders of Peru. It is located northwest of the Trujillo metropolitan area, between the districts of Trujillo and Huanchaco. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 and included on the List of World Heritage in Danger in the same year.
Chan Chan is made up of nine cities (citadels or small walled cities). This entire complex was the capital of the Chimor or Chimur kingdom, the state organization of the Chimú culture.
We cannot deny that our country possesses countless wonders; visiting them is a delight for the eyes and a great life experience. All these wonders should be on your list of places to visit. For this, remember to contact Tierras Vivas, a reputable company with all the guarantees you deserve, to arrange the various tourist circuits.
