Think Peru, Machu Picchu, think, do not you? Wrong. The fact is the famous Incas were just one of countless civilizations that lived in ancient Peru to the many thousands of years of human history in America. Yes, include our vacation to Peru Machu Picchu tours as a must see. But save for those with more time and a lot of interest in long and fascinating history of ancient Peru consider a visit to deepen some of these alternative archaeological sites to your Peru travel experience. Kuelap Fortress Near Chachapoyas, northern Peru, in the late 900 AD and several hundred years to finish, is the great fortress of Kuelap, a perfect example of the elegance and power of the pre-Inca civilization Chachapoyas. The fort itself occupies a vast area, about one kilometer long and rival the size of almost all other old structures in America. At 3,000 meters above sea level, was once the fortress an enormous symbol of power, the Utcubamba dominated valley. The site contains the remains of some 400 buildings, most of which are in a ruinous state, although there have been some reforms for the visitors to the site of former glory. The fort is a green, lush landscape and many of the walls contain original decorations. In certain areas, the local style of building spherical building of the Incas rectangular style replaced, indicating a long-forgotten history of war and conquest. Access to the site is difficult, but can easily be arranged through a tour operator Peru. Admission is 3 €. Chan Chan Trujillo, Northern Peru | further south of Kuelap, on the northern coast of Peru plain near the city of Trujillo, the ancient city of Chan Chan, a world heritage site that is probably the biggest ancient city in North and South America |. Entirely built by Adobe, the city has amazingly well preserved by the arid desert environment, which is only by occasional tornadoes El Niño threat. The city was built by the Chimu culture 800-900 AD and flourished with tens of thousands of residents, to the Incas were in the middle of the 15th Century. The remaining structures consist of ceremonial buildings, tombs and graves, religious structures and homes. The city was carefully planned to take advantage of the weather and sunlight and offer protection from coastal winds. The high walls give the city a maze-like feel and the many carvings and wall decorations show a complex and masterful level of craftsmanship. Access to Chan Chan is simply out of the city and transport hub of Trujillo and tours can be arranged. Admission $ 3.50. Caral Near Barranca, north of Lima, some 200 km north of Lima is the oldest city in America, the monumental desert city of Caral. A city-state, developed during the same time, the civilizations of the "old" world, Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and China have decided to lift the recent discoveries at Caral many previously accepted theories of ancient history and the rise of human civilization. The site was new in the mid-20th Century discovered, but little attention was given by the relative lack of searchable artifacts. It was only with detailed analysis that the complexity was revealed by the Caral pyramids and other structures such as temples and an amphitheater. Similarly, a series of discoveries of ancient civilization, a complexity, archaeologists long thought shown never existed so early in America. Finding showed that people develop a peaceful Caral civilization, advanced systems for trading and accounting had. Representations of monkeys and other animals jungle suggest that the people of Caral trade relations, which reached far into the Amazon discoveries that have forced scholars to re-think too many long-held beliefs about Peruvian history. Excursions can be arranged to Caral from Lima Peru, or by an international tour operators. Admission is 3 €. Tucume Near Chiclayo in Northern Peru | is the site of Tucume other ancient pyramids, containing several hundred acres and several dozen structures and man-hill |. The site was the scene for several successions of cultures and was originally from AD 800 AD followed by the SICAN people, by the Chimu, inhabited before the Incas arrived in the middle of the 15th Century. Many local folk stories complement the site sense of mystery, known locally as the "Purgatory" known from the Spanish attempt to convert indigenous peoples to Christianity, as he fires on the hills, claiming it to be purgatory. To date, many superstitious locals refuse to visit the site but access is easy from the city of Chiclayo. Admission $ 2. Batan Grande Also near Chiclayo, Northern Peru The people of the SICAN founded, Batan Grande is the source of the vast majority of the old golden artifacts of Peru and n. to dozens of pyramids from the time 800 AD. The site is now a national park and includes a section of the old Pomac Forest, which offers a quiet and relaxing atmosphere, plus horseback riding and camping. It is also a good museum that provides a fascinating insight into ancient life in this region. To access the site, take a taxi or bus from Chiclayo. Admission is 3 €.