Caral Ruins, Lima

While you are in Lima, we advise you to keep aside one whole day to visit the enormous ruins of Caral, the oldest city in Americas. Dating back half a millennium, these ruins predate Machu Pichhu and the Incan ruins by several thousand years. Interestingly, these ruins were discovered only in 1994. These ruins are about 150 km away from the modern capital of Peru. It takes approximately three hours by car to reach Caral. Pyramid temples, residential complexes, amphitheatres, and plazas have all been found among these ruins. This discovery gives evidence of the existence of a planned society in America, which was contemporary with Mesopotamia and Egypt. Despite being thousands of years old, everything seems to be kind of alive there.

Try and leave early morning from Lima. There are plenty of taxis available in Lima. You could also rent a car and drive there on your own. Be careful—the last stretch on the route is bumpy and unpaved. English-speaking tour guides are available and it really helps to have one. There is also a small museum, which is pretty and well maintained. Standing there in the midst of vast, crude ruins while trying to visualize the past is an experience you are not likely to forget soon. Great history awaits you in the Caral Ruins, so go check it out for yourself.