Peru | Road Scholar Trip Extension: Pachacamac Day Tour

Pachacamac is the most renowned pre-Inca and Inca pilgrimage site of the coast. Dating back to 200 AD., it was originally devoted to the worship of the earth god Pachacamac: "he who sustains or gives life to the universe". Over the centuries, temples for other gods of the coastal cultures were erected throughout this immense ceremonial center. When the Incas arrived, they respected the religion of the conquered peoples but, at the same time, built their temple of the Sun and the Moon, and the Ajlla Huasi (House of the Virgins of the Sun). Here, you will see the weathered adobe temples of Peru's ancient cultures, dominated by the Inca's temple of the Sun and the Moon, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Looking landward, observe one of the verdant oases that were home to ancient coastal civilizations. Such areas occur in river valleys in the vast desert along the coast. Visit the site museum, which features ceramics, textiles and a wooden idol found in the original temple of Pachacamac. Such idols infuriated the Spaniards, who had expected to find gold.