Huaraz isn’t only surrounded by impressive natural wonders but also by ancient pre-Columbian settlements that have predated the Incas. The entire region has different archeological sites ranging from different periods and cultures.
However, most of these structures are barely known by foreign and local tourists since they’ve been hidden in the most remote locations within the Ancash region. The Chavín de Huantar ruins were built by the Chavín culture, which developed between 1500 and 300 B.C.
According to many historians, this pre-Inca civilization could have been the mother to many Andean cultures. The archeological site in Huaraz was their administrative and religious center, it is of great importance for the understanding of the evolution of the mountain societies in Peru.
Likewise, due to its cultural expression and imposing structure, merged with the vegetation and natural scenery of the area, the site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Therefore, if you’re looking to travel off the beaten track, you should definitely visit the Chavín de Huántar Archaeological site. Here we’ll tell you how!
As we mentioned before, the Chavin culture developed between 1200 and 500 B.C. According to historians and archeologists, this could be the mother of the Andean culture due to its cultural, religious, and socio-political influences.
However, not much is known about this ancient civilization but thanks to the studies and discoveries found in what used to be the ‘Chavin territory,’ significant information has come up to the surface.
When the studies first started, archeologists used to believe that this could be the first civilization to form in Peru. However, this theory was discarded after the discovery of the Caral Citadel. Nonetheless, the Chavin society is certainly one of the oldest in the Peruvian lands.
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The site has an extraordinary structure and architectural style, where most of its interior is distributed like a maze and a multitude of tunnels, called galleries. Also, the buildings didn’t have any windows, which buried the entire place in the dark.
However, the Chavín people managed to build smaller tunnels that allowed air to pass through the structure, as well as beams that illuminated certain parts of the temples. Here we have listed the main attractions within the site:
- Old Temple: It was the first temple constructed on the site, it is composed of three truncated pyramids that seen from above form a ‘U’ shape. The Old Temple was home to one of the mighty gods of the Chavin culture, which was represented by the Lanzón monolith.
The temple has a maze-like structure in its interior, where each tunnel connects to several reservoirs, used to preserve the offerings provided by the population.
- New Temple: It is the largest pyramid in the archeological complex and one of the most preserved. It is believed that it was here where the Raimondi Stele was displayed. Its interior is composed of several galleries, though their purpose is still unknown.
Both temples are surrounded by a rectangular and circular plaza that potentially has a ritual purpose. As aforementioned, the Chavin temples were adorned with stone carvings that depicted gods and ritual ceremonies.
If you wish to experience this tour to its fullest, we have the perfect adventure for you. Keep in mind that you can organize your trip according to your interests, we are here to help you with any inquiry you may have, including assistance during your travel planning process.
To book the Chavin de Huantar Tour, you just need to contact our travel specialists. Our local expert team will make sure to optimize your time and adventure with a tailor-made travel itinerary for you.
Likewise, we care to provide the best experience to every one of our passengers, which is why we count on certified drivers, professional guides, and an all-time monitored car fleet with GPS tracking.
General Information:
- Duration: 10 hours approx.
- Entrance: Already included in the travel package.
- Included: Transport, entrance ticket, English-speaking guide, pick up at the hotel.
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