Resting at the ancient adobe city of Chan Chan in Peru

Chan Chan & Tihuanaco Make CNN

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Mini. Travelers at Tiwanaku ruins in Bolivia, near Lake Titi

Colorful frieze at the ruins of the adobe city of Chan Chan.

Exploring the pre-Columbian city of Chan Chan in Peru

Warriors at Chan Chan, along the Moche Route in Peru

Travelers admiring a pool at the pre-Incan city of Chan Chan

Walking the streets of the adobe city of Chan Chan

The famed Sun Gate at the Bolivian ruins of Tiwanaku

Mysterious heads of the Tiwanaku ruins in Bolivia

Lone man at the Aymara ruins of Tiwanaku.

Cover. Visiting Chan Chan along the Moche Route in Peu

Two pre-Columbian South American capitals were included on the CNN site's list of spectacular ancient sites of the New World: the citadel of Chan Chan in Peru and Bolivia's Tiwanaku.

Two pre-Columbian South American capitals were included on the CNN site's list of spectacular ancient sites of the New World: the citadel of Chan Chan in Peru and and the ruins of Tiwanaku in Bolivia.

Bolivia's contribution is Tiwanaku Archeological Complex, which once served as the epicenter for the eponymous civilization (whose population swelled to hundreds of thousands between 500 and 900AD but disappeared by 1200AD). The site, which includes temples, public buildings, residences, and irrigation systems, was built high in the Bolivian Andes, near massive Lake Titicaca. Tiwanaku is still under investigation, with researchers even constructing reed boats to demonstrate how stones weighing several tons were probably transported across Lake Titicaca.

Peru is also represented on the list, thanks to the adobe city of Chan Chan, once the capital of the ChimÃƒÂº culture. Although it dates back to before 850AD, it did not hit its peak until the 1400s, shortly before the Incan conquest.

Two pre-Columbian South American capitals were included on the CNN site's list of spectacular ancient sites of the New World: the citadel of Chan Chan in Peru and Bolivia's Tiwanaku.

Two pre-Columbian South American capitals were included on the CNN site's list of spectacular ancient sites of the New World: the citadel of Chan Chan in Peru and and the ruins of Tiwanaku in Bolivia.

Bolivia's contribution is Tiwanaku Archeological Complex, which once served as the epicenter for the eponymous civilization (whose population swelled to hundreds of thousands between 500 and 900AD but disappeared by 1200AD). The site, which includes temples, public buildings, residences, and irrigation systems, was built high in the Bolivian Andes, near massive Lake Titicaca. Tiwanaku is still under investigation, with researchers even constructing reed boats to demonstrate how stones weighing several tons were probably transported across Lake Titicaca.

Peru is also represented on the list, thanks to the adobe city of Chan Chan, once the capital of the ChimÃƒÂº culture. Although it dates back to before 850AD, it did not hit its peak until the 1400s, shortly before the Incan conquest.

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Folk dance troupes during the patronal festival of Doctor Pa

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Just 11 kilometers from the Plaza de Armas, the historic district of San Jerónimo celebrates its patron saint every late September: 5 days of processions, 26+ dance troupes, a food fair, and a 16th-century church built on an Inca huaca. In 2016, it was declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation. Most tourists don't know it exists; many young locals don't either. This year it starts on Monday, September 28, with the main day on Wednesday 30.

1,500 young people in Sacsayhuamán competing as they did 500 years ago

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48 km on foot: How to reach the Señor de Huanca in Cusco

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Circuit	Ideal for...	Clasic photo	Difficulty
Circuit 1 (Panoramic)	High views and photo posts	Yes	Low
Circuit 2 (Andean)	Complete circuit through the ruins	Yes	Medium
Circuit 3 (Reality)	Persons or reduced movement	No	Very low

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