Half A Day At The (Pre-Inca) Wari Ruins Of Wilcawain In The Peruvian Andes.

snaptravel (53)in #travel • 7 years ago (edited)

Wilcahuain and Ichic Wilcahuain are pre-Inca Wari ruins just a short mini vans ride out of Huaraz. Mini vans (or collectivos, as they’re locally known) leave from the intersection of 13 De Diciembre Street and Jr. Cajamarca Street. The cost is 1.5 Soles, and it takes about fifteen minutes to reach the ruins. It is also possible to walk to the ruins by following Wilcahuain road. We took the easier option of catching the minivan up and walking back down.

This The Main Ruin, With The Ticket Office

The Van will drop you just outside the main ruins were you must buy a ticket for 10 Soles. Keep this ticket handy because you'll have to show it again at Ichic Wilcahuain. You can not buy tickets at Ichic Wilcahuain, so if you walk up make sure you walk to the main ruin with the ticket office first. Ichic Wilcahuain is just a five-minute walk along the road. I thought it was more interesting than the main ruin and it was better for photos. It also offers a good view of the valley and mountains behind.

View Of The Mountains From Ichic Wilcahuain

Just below Ichic Wilcahuain we found a footpath that follows a small stream. It took us back to the road leading to Huaraz. The footpath takes a shorter and more scenic route than the road, passing small farms and homes, leading back to the outskirts of Huaraz. It's an easy downhill walk, but there are no street lamps. I wouldn't recommend walking after the sun has set, especially if you are alone.

If your time in Huaraz is very tight, you could probably give this one a miss. But, if you have time to spare, or want to do some activity to help with acclimatisation, then Wilcahuain is a good way to spend half a day.

This is an article from my website http://snaptravel.co.uk/wilcawain All words and photos are my own. For more photos, videos, and travel articles find me at: