The main reason travelers stop in Peru is to see the ancient ruins left by the inca and older civilizations. Machu Picchu is the biggie, but don't stop there. Here are a few archaeological sites that are as historically interesting.
Three hours north of Lima, the archaeological ruins of Caral in the supe valley, shocked the world when its origins were discovered to date back to 2627 BC-1,500 years earlier than what was believed to be the age of South America's oldest civilization. Last year, 25,000 visitors came to see Peru's newest wonder.
The Inca ruins of Choquequirao in Cusco is the ideal destination for those who enjoy history and trekking. Five-day trek tours are available if you wish to make the journey to this site, which has been called "Machu Picchu's sacred sister" because of the similarities in architecture.
This capital of the pre-inca Chimu empire was the largest pre-Columbian city in the Americas and the largest adobe city in the world. A 3-mile drive from Trujillo, Chan Chan is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's threatened by erosion because of its close proximity to the coast and its heavy rains and flooding.
Sixty kilometers northwest of Cusco, the enormous inca terraces of Ollantaytambo was one of the few locations where the incas managed to defeat spanish conquistadors. The fortress also served as a temple, with a ceremonial center greeting those who manage to get to the top.
