About 15,000 years ago, the first people to inhabit what is now Peru filtered down from Northand Central America. They were confronted by diverse and extreme environments at varying altitudes. An ocean rich in fish contrasts with sterile coastal valleys that are only habitable where riveres cut through the desert. To the east the Valleys and high plateau of the Andes mountains slope down to Amazon rainforest, home to exotic foods, animals, and medicinal plants.
Modern Peru incorporates all of these environmental zones. Long before the centralized stated of the Inca empire, people recognized the need to secure access to varied resources and products. Images of animals and plants from coast and jungle are found on pottery and stone monuments in highland Chavin culture, 400BC. Around AD 500 the Nazca Lines etched out in the desert also featured exotic jungle animals. In the 15th century the Incas achieved unprecedented control over people, food, crops, plants, and domesticated animals that incorporated coast, highlands, and the semitropical valleys. Attempts to control coca leaf production in the warmer valleys may explain Machu Picchu, which guards an important trading route.
When the Spaniards arrived in the 16th century, the search for El dorado, the fabled city of gold, extended the Viceroyalty of Peru into the amazon lowlands. Since independence in 1821, diputes, wars, and treaties over Amazon territory have been fueled increasingly by the knowledge of mineral oil and natural gas under the forest floor.
The Inca civilization arose rather late in the process of cultural development of the pre-Hispanic Andes and its history occupies, barely, a century within the 20 thousand years that has the presence of man in the Peruvian territory. Twenty thousand years of history can be seen in one of the largest archaeological networks in the world and the largest in South America.
El Brujo Archaeological Complex: one of the most important archaeological sites in Peru
Located in the north of Peru, in the district of Magdalena de Cao (La Libertad); this archaeological complex turns out to be one of the most important on the north coast, because their huacas, which respond to the names of Huaca Cortada, Huaca Cao and Huaca Prieta, became one of the important centers, both political and religious of the Mochica culture; and one of the emblematic cultures of our Ancient Peru.
One of the main findings of the El Brujo archaeological complex corresponds to the tomb of the Lady of Cao, a woman who assumed the role of ruler and who was an important leader in the history of Peru. Treating thus, in an important discovery in the Peruvian culture.
Caral: Sacred city with more than 5000 years of history
Considered as the oldest civilization of the entire American continent and in turn representative of the origin of Andean culture, this city, located in the province of Barranca (north of Lima); it emphasizes in her his six pyramids with their respective circular squares. Among the most important findings regarding instruments is Quipu, a string-based element that served to record information, being the oldest in the world.
Temple of the Sun and Moon: full of mystic and architectural beauty
Another of the most important archaeological sites in all of Peru, is located on the north coast, exactly five kilometers south of Trujillo: The temple of the Sun and the Moon, one of the most mystical sanctuaries in the entire country. Conformed by pyramids up to forty-three meters high made for administrative purposes.
Pachacámac: imposing and majestic archaeological site
It is one of the most important archaeological sites of the central coast of Peru. Made up of: great pyramids, squares, temples, palaces, elements that really define the hierarchies that existed at the political, cultural and religious level of the place.
Sipán: the most powerful man of Ancient Peru
The tomb of the Lord of Sipán, located in Lambayeque and whose discovery was made by the prominent archaeologist Walter Alva. It turns out that he was one of the most powerful characters of Ancient Peru. Find that spread worldwide, due to its cultural, historical and social relevance.
Ollantaytambo
Many will have heard it because it is one of the main starting points towards Machu Picchu, but this city - the only Inca that remains inhabited - has its own charms that are incomparable. Let's start with its location, in the middle of the mountains and meadows that make up the Sacred Valley, which guarantees pure and absolutely moving landscapes.
Let's continue with its history, since one of the main Inca leaders of the indigenous resistance settled here and its great stone constructions demonstrate a high sense of military strategy; besides an impressive understanding of the climate and the atmosphere, since in one of its mountains agricultural deposits that maintained a temperature similar to the artificial refrigeration were built. Once you walk through its small cobblestone streets, you will want to spend one or more nights here enjoying a quiet environment while you continue to learn new things about this civilization that never ceases to amaze us.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is one of the 7 wonders of the world most visited by tourists, it has beautiful stone-based constructions, they were carved with great precision and detail, it is the most important work for the Incas for having been built on a rugged and inaccessible mountain , divided into two large sectors, urban and agricultural separated by a large wall that descends the hillside until it reaches the banks of the Vilcanota River.
Hiking tours to Machu Picchu
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
- Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days
- Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 days
- Inca Quarry Trail 4 Days
- 2 Day Inca Trail Tour
- 2 Day Inca Trail with Camping
- 3 Day Inca Trail
- Vilcabamba Hike to Machu Picchu 6 days
- Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu 9 days
- Ausangate trek 7 days
If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu Ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your Vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.
When is the best time to hike to Machu Picchu?
The best season is during the dry season, which covers the months April to the end of September. In October the rains begin and you can find Machu Picchu covered by clouds. If you travel in June, we recommend you to book the Inti Raymi 2025 Tour that takes place in June 24th, and also hike the Palcoyo Mountain Tour, which is an incredible Rainbow Mountain located in the Andes.