Chavin de Huantar

Why the Chavin de Huantar is special
The 3,000-year-old Chavin archaeological site was the cultural and religious center of the great pre-Inca Chavin civilization. It flourished from about 900 to 300 BC.

Chavin de Huantar tips and insights
Star attraction
The title goes to the giant dagger-like Lanzon granite stone (see photo detail). Human and animal faces of sacred deities are chiseled on its surface. This 5-meter (15-foot) tall monolith dramatically rises vertically in a subterranean room.

Who should go and not go
It's a great site for visitors with for those with at least a strong interest in Pre-Columbian archaeology.

For others, I do not recommend it. Consider:

• Sightseeing
  The place lacks the visual wow of, say, Machu Picchu. Most of what you see from ground level is crumbling stone walls. What's most interesting lies in underground chambers.
  
• Getting there
  It isn't easy. First you must reach Huarez city, about 400 kilometers (250 miles) from the capital Lima. Then you must drive on a winding, sometimes ill-maintained mountainous road. Figure on several hours each way - and a morning-to-night outing.

Artifacts
Most of the best ones are in a Lima museum, including the renowned Tellos Obelisk. However, there's a tiny museum at Chavin de Huantar exhibiting items like pottery.

Location