Chavín de Huántar

Historical Building

V!VA User‘s Description

Located about 4 hours east of Huaraz the massive temple fortress of Chavín de Huántar is one of the last remaining large scale reminders of the Chavín culture, which stretched across the northern highlands of Peru from Cajamarca and Chiclayo in the north to Ayacucho and Ica in the south from 900-200 B.C. As one of the first pan-Andean cultures, the Chavín established a rich set of traditions that would infuse proceeding cultures like the Tiahuancaco, Huari, and even the Inca. The fortress itself was built around 800 B.C. and was declared a World Heritage Trust Site by UNESCO in December 1985.

The main attractions include intricate stone carvings of symbolic figures and a network of tunnels that snake their way beneath the fortress floor. Three of these passages converge underground at the famous Lanzónstone monolith dating back to 800 B.C.  The northern part of the pillar points upward towards a gallery where priests may have once performed rituals. Some areas are closed to the public in order to preserve the site, but public areas are illuminated by electric lights. A small museum at the entrance houses interesting carvings and Chavín pottery. Camping nearby is also possible with permission from the guards. Recently a small but well-furbished museum has opened up about 1 km from the ruins. As of this date the entrance is free. 

Agencies in Huaraz offer a day trip to the site, which leaves around 8 a.m. If you decide to take the do-it-yourself tour you may want to hire one of the Spanish-speaking guides at the entrance. For active travelers there is a great trek that winds its way across the southern end of Cordillera Blanca from Olleros to Chavín. Relatively free of tourist traffic, the trail follows an ancient trade route that ascends the Yanashallash Pass (4, 700 meters).

Traveler Reviews of Chavín de Huántar

Very Good

Rating: 75%

This was a very FUN trip!

By V!VA User, Apr 25, 2007