Tourists Can Now Follow Ancient Pilgrims Route in Peru
As of this week, you can now travel the same path that pilgrims walked half a century ago, hiking past ancient streets and temples towards the spot where one of the preeminent oracles of prehispanic Peru resided. After two years of work by archeologists, who uncovered a large tomb used for mass dog sacrifices and accompanying funereal offerings in the process, the new touristic circuit known as the Pilgrims' Route has opened in Pachacámac Sanctuary in Lima, Peru.
Published on 27-11-2012, por Inca World
As of this week, you can now travel the same path that pilgrims walked more than half a century ago, hiking past ancient streets, adobe walls, temples, and water channels towards the spot where the famed Pachacámac oracle once resided. After two years of work by archeologists, a new touristic circuit known as the Pilgrims' Route was opened in Pachacámac Sanctuary Archeological Complex just outside of Lima, Peru.
The sanctuary was once the principal place to render cult to Pachacámac, a deity associated with earthquakes and venerated all along the central coast of the Inca Empire. However, both the deity and the shrine were more ancient than the Inca, even predating the Wari, who the Inca conquered to take possession of the site. It was the Yschsma, Chancay, and Lima cultures before them who first worshipped Pachacámac as the creator of the universe and consecrated the site to him.
In the 6th century (about a century after it was first built), the sanctuary reached the zenith of its popularity due to the rising fame of its oracle, which would become the southern coast's preeminent oracle and was consulted even by ruling Incas on weighty matters.
The new route begins at a lookout from where one can appreciate almost all of Pachacámac Sanctuary and continues for almost a mile, rising 4,100ft in the process. It enters the public part of the sanctuary by following a ramp along the Pyramid Complex and the Palace of Taurichumpi.
Two different stretches of the Qapac Ñan (the extensive system of trails and roads that united the Inca Empire) united in the Pilgrims' Route, a path hailing from the Andes and a path from the coast. This emphasizes the former importance of the route.
Although the site continues under excavation, many of its palaces, temples, and plazas can be visited. Among the most important are the House of Chosen Women (the Acllahuasi), the Temple of the Moon (the Mamaconas), the Pilgrims' Plaza, Temple of Urpi Huacha, the destroyed Temple of Pachacámac, and the shrine which held the oracle itself, the trapezoidal Temple of the Sun. There is also a site museum displaying relics unearthed at the site, including a carved totem believed to represent Pachacámac, which was recovered from the painted temple.
Digs carried out while preparing the route had the additional benefit of unearthing a large tomb used for mass dog sacrifices, which also contained funereal offerings such as copper jewelry and vases.
The route can be traveled during the sanctuary's normal visiting hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 9am to 5pm. Visitors who decide to try the hike will learn how pilgrims who arrived to the zone lived, what type of offerings they brought to leave at Pachacámac's shrine, as well as the remodeling undertaken by the Incas when they adopted the site to provide water to the sanctuary.
As of this week, you can now travel the same path that pilgrims walked half a century ago, hiking past ancient streets and temples towards the spot where one of the preeminent oracles of prehispanic Peru resided. After two years of work by archeologists, who uncovered a large tomb used for mass dog sacrifices and accompanying funereal offerings in the process, the new touristic circuit known as the Pilgrims' Route has opened in Pachacámac Sanctuary in Lima, Peru.
Published on 27-11-2012, por Inca World
As of this week, you can now travel the same path that pilgrims walked more than half a century ago, hiking past ancient streets, adobe walls, temples, and water channels towards the spot where the famed Pachacámac oracle once resided. After two years of work by archeologists, a new touristic circuit known as the Pilgrims' Route was opened in Pachacámac Sanctuary Archeological Complex just outside of Lima, Peru.
The sanctuary was once the principal place to render cult to Pachacámac, a deity associated with earthquakes and venerated all along the central coast of the Inca Empire. However, both the deity and the shrine were more ancient than the Inca, even predating the Wari, who the Inca conquered to take possession of the site. It was the Yschsma, Chancay, and Lima cultures before them who first worshipped Pachacámac as the creator of the universe and consecrated the site to him.
In the 6th century (about a century after it was first built), the sanctuary reached the zenith of its popularity due to the rising fame of its oracle, which would become the southern coast's preeminent oracle and was consulted even by ruling Incas on weighty matters.
The new route begins at a lookout from where one can appreciate almost all of Pachacámac Sanctuary and continues for almost a mile, rising 4,100ft in the process. It enters the public part of the sanctuary by following a ramp along the Pyramid Complex and the Palace of Taurichumpi.
Two different stretches of the Qapac Ñan (the extensive system of trails and roads that united the Inca Empire) united in the Pilgrims' Route, a path hailing from the Andes and a path from the coast. This emphasizes the former importance of the route.
Although the site continues under excavation, many of its palaces, temples, and plazas can be visited. Among the most important are the House of Chosen Women (the Acllahuasi), the Temple of the Moon (the Mamaconas), the Pilgrims' Plaza, Temple of Urpi Huacha, the destroyed Temple of Pachacámac, and the shrine which held the oracle itself, the trapezoidal Temple of the Sun. There is also a site museum displaying relics unearthed at the site, including a carved totem believed to represent Pachacámac, which was recovered from the painted temple.
Digs carried out while preparing the route had the additional benefit of unearthing a large tomb used for mass dog sacrifices, which also contained funereal offerings such as copper jewelry and vases.
The route can be traveled during the sanctuary's normal visiting hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 9am to 5pm. Visitors who decide to try the hike will learn how pilgrims who arrived to the zone lived, what type of offerings they brought to leave at Pachacámac's shrine, as well as the remodeling undertaken by the Incas when they adopted the site to provide water to the sanctuary.
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Lima's greatest devotion also walks through Cusco, departing from San Francisco Square. October dyes Peruvian streets purple with robes, incense, and fervor. We tell you how to follow the official 2026 processions in Lima and experience the Cusco replica from the Andes with practical details.
tags: lord of miracles, cusco, lima, peru processions, religious tourism, purple month
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.
Third Sunday of September. 9 a.m. The pututos sound and 1,500 students from the National School of Sciences of Cusco set off in procession from their school to the Sacsayhuamán esplanade. They are going to compete — for real — in speed, strength, and endurance tests that replicate those the Tahuantinsuyo used to determine who was ready for adulthood. It is not a choreography. It is the Warachicuy, and in 2025 it was declared a Cultural Interest.
Are you planning to visit
Machu Picchu in 2026?
We would like to inform our travelers that availability for Circuit 1 and 2 for the months of November, December and January is at 85% of capacity. We recommend booking at least 3 months in advance.
New Circuits and Routes
The Ministry of Culture has consolidated the three main tours. As of 2026, Tour 2 (The Royal Route) remains the only one that allows visitors to take the classic photo from the Guardian’s House. We have adapted all our packages to ensure this access.
Digital Check-In and Biometric Verification
Say goodbye to long check-in lines! Starting this season, entry is faster thanks to the new digital check-in system. Our packages include full management of your personalized tickets to prevent errors on the state platform.
| 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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Explore the breathtaking diversity of the Central Andes. From ancient archaeological wonders and surreal high-altitude landscapes to world-class gastronomy and Amazonian adventures, our updated 2026 guides showcase the very best of this premier global destination.
