Monumento Nacional Wilcahuaín

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  • Transport
    taxi: 
mini-bus: from Río Quilcay in city center
walking:

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Lonely Planet review

Monumento Nacional Wilcahuaín, the small Wari ruin, is remarkably well preserved. Dating from about AD 600 to 900, it's an imitation of the temple at Chavín done in the Tiahuanaco style. Wilcahuaín means 'grandson's house' in Quechua.

The three-story temple has seven rooms on each floor, each originally filled with bundles of mummies. The bodies were kept dry by using a sophisticated system of ventilation ducts. The rooms are now lit, and entertaining kids in the area will take you inside the ruin and show you around for a tip.

The two-hour walk up can be a rewarding glimpse into Andean country life, passing farms and friendly pueblos (villages). Ask locally if it's safe before you set off. Instead of returning straight to Huaraz, you could walk down via the hot springs at Monterrey (1hr).