Chavin de Huantar
Another important touristic destination is the ceremonial center of Chavin culture located in the Alley of Conchucos on the eastern side of the Cordillera Blanca, 109 kilometers east of the city of Huaraz, about three hours away.
This center has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.It is also known as the Chavin Castle or Temple which is considered the main religious and cultural center of the Chavin culture. It was built around 1200 BC and was discovered by Peruvian archaeologist Julio C. Tello in 1919.
The construction of this sacred religious temple has the oldest buildings built in Peru made of granite carved stone terraces, platforms, and carved cylindrical columns. You can visit the underground galleries that lead you to a path to the Room of the Lanzon, an impressive monolithic sculpture that highlights an architectural work quality of the people of the time.
Since 2008 and as part of the tours in Huaraz, you can also visit the National Museum site that was built with the aim to preserve, research and cultural promotion of the Chavin culture, it has two large independent and integrated environments as the exhibition area and public services (public access), and the International Centre for Research, Conservation and Restoration – CIICR – (restricted access).