South America 2019-2023
unknown length - solo travel - Suzuki DR650

Pacific Coast - part 4

October 6, 2019  —  Peru

Tambo Colorado Ruins

Tambo Colorado Ruins - Peru

Tambo Colorado has been a military and urban administrative centre around AD 1140 and 1532.

The complex was built with adobe bricks following the tradition of the Chincha culture.

Tambo Colorado Ruins - Peru
Tambo Colorado Ruins - Peru
Tambo Colorado Ruins - Peru
Tambo Colorado Ruins - Peru
Tambo Colorado Ruins - Peru
Tambo Colorado Ruins - Peru
Tambo Colorado Ruins - Peru
Tambo Colorado Ruins - Peru
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Oasis of Huacachina

Huacachina - Peru

The oasis of Huacachina is a highly touristy place near the city of Ica. People go there to take pedal boat trips on the lake, for sandboarding, to ride on dune buggies, or to walk in the desert.

Even though it is really photogenic, the place is constantly packed with tourists to the point it becomes ridiculous. Everything is geared towards tours and selling junk. How do you relax in a local hotel, when the village is assaulted non-stop by hordes of people coming for day excursions?

As you can imagine, it is not the kind of place I like.

Huacachina - Peru
Huacachina - Peru
Huacachina - Peru
The oasis is only 4 km away from the city of Ica.
Huacachina - Peru
City of Ica.
Huacachina - Peru
Dozens of dune buggies await tourists.
Huacachina - Peru
Huacachina - Peru
Huacachina - Peru
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Lost City of Huayuri

Lost City of Huayuri - Peru

Surrounded by mountains, Huayuri dates from AD 1200 to 1400. At its peak, the population probably reach some 5000 inhabitants.

It is not an interesting site and not really worth a visit, but it is an excellent campsite for one night. When I arrived, there was no caretaker, and I set my camp behind a small building so as not to be visible from the road. A very quiet night.

Lost City of Huayuri - Peru
Lost City of Huayuri - Peru
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On the road

Santa Cruz River - Peru
This tree is more than 1000 years-old.
Santa Cruz River - Peru
Santa Cruz River - Peru
Santa Cruz River - Peru
Santa Cruz River - Peru
Santa Cruz River - Peru
Cara del Inca - Route from Ica to Nazca - Peru

On the Pan-American highway, you can see this curious rock formation.

It looks like the profile on an Inca face.

Route from Ica to Nazca - Peru
Route from Ica to Nazca - Peru
Route from Ica to Nazca - Peru
Route from Ica to Nazca - Peru
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Etapas de la Vida Petroglyphs

Etapas de la Vida Petroglyphs - Palpa - Peru

On the side of the road, in a rocks field, lies this unique rock covered in ancient petroglyphs.

Etapas de la Vida Petroglyphs - Palpa - Peru
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Chichictara Petroglyphs

Chichictara Petroglyphs - Palpa - Peru
Where are the petroglyphs?

As you may notice on the photo, at first glance, the petroglyphs are very hard to see. The site doesn’t seem to be maintained, and several petroglyphs are almost undistinguishable.

I found more than fifteen of them, but only six were in good shapes.

Chichictara Petroglyphs - Palpa - Peru
Chichictara Petroglyphs - Palpa - Peru
Chichictara Petroglyphs - Palpa - Peru
Chichictara Petroglyphs - Palpa - Peru
Chichictara Petroglyphs - Palpa - Peru
Chichictara Petroglyphs - Palpa - Peru
Chichictara Petroglyphs - Palpa - Peru
Chichictara Petroglyphs - Palpa - Peru