Lima Tour: Huaca Pucllana
James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.
Last Updated on January 6, 2023 by James Bustamante
The Huaca Pucllana is a structure made from clay and adobe where the Lima culture held religious rituals between 200 AD and 700 AD. The Huaca Pucllana also served as a center for administrative matters for the local community. Typically, travelers want to visit the pyramid and the restaurant in the complex. But first, let’s discuss some details regarding this ancient pyramid and complex.
Description of The Huaca Pucllana
The Huaca Pucllana is an impressive adobe and clay structure in the Miraflores district of central Lima, Peru, built from seven staggered platforms. It served as an important ceremonial and administrative center for the advancement of the Lima Culture. This society developed on the Peruvian Central Coast between 200 AD and 700 AD before the arrival of the Wari, which conquered the region. The Incas eventually made it to the region as well and conquered the Wari.
The Purpose of The Huaca Pucllana
According to scholars, The Huaca was meant to have elite members of the Lima culture gather and discuss items related to religion and how the local water would be used and distributed.
Huaca Pucllana served as an important ceremonial and administrative center for the Lima Culture. It is thought to have been used for various functions, including religious ceremonies, feasts, and other public gatherings. The pyramid is made up of several different levels, each of which was used for different purposes.
The site was abandoned by the Lima Culture around 700 AD, and it was rediscovered in the 1920s when archaeologists excavated it. Today, the complex is a popular tourist attraction and is considered an important cultural and historical site in Peru.
The Huaca part of the structure is circled by a square that could be considered a plaza. The plaza is also split in half by a big wall, and one section has deep pits where the locals would place offerings to their deities. Among the offerings or sacrifices, the local communities would use fish and other types of marine life native to the Peruvian coastline.
The other half of the structure would be used for offerings to other duties. In addition, archaeologists have found various structures and huts made from clay adobe. These were part of large patios and courtyards. The approximate size is 1,650 feet (500 meters) long, 328 feet (100 meters) wide, and 72 feet (22 meters) high.
The 7 Levels of The Huaca Pucllana
The pyramid in the Huaca is a group of smaller constructions built upon each other. There are a total of seven levels that have been successfully identified. The first level was almost destroyed; however, after an official excavation, researchers unearthed the plaza. The second level is a patio with benches of a yellowish color, alters, and small holes which have been used to place small offerings.
The third level has a similar patio to the second platform. This floor and the patio seem to have been used for similar activities. The only difference is this level’s small ramps connect to the rest of the pyramid.
The fourth level of the pyramid is relatively small and is made up of a patio and benches, it connects to the fifth level through a small passageway. Finally, on the fifth level, we find another patio, courts, and a large wall that separates them down the middle.
Once we reach the sixth level, we find partial excavation that has been done. There are also small spaces made with advanced architecture. However, they have been poorly preserved through the years. This is partly due to the destruction of the Wari tombs once laid in this area. The pyramid is connected to the rest of the construction by a large zig zag-shaped ramp.
The Wari Influence In The Peruvian Coastal Region
Archaeologists have also found items that belonged to the Wari culture, which existed from 500 AD to 1000 AD. This means that the Wari must have had a powerful influence on the Lima culture and how it developed. The Wari were a tribe from the Ayacucho province in the highland region of the county. At some point, they conquered the Lima culture and took over the Huaca Pucllana.
During excavations, scholars unearthed remains of the “Senor de lo Unkus,” which means the lord of the Unkus. This was found in the first tomb in the ceremonial center sections of the pyramid. The curious part is that there were three sets of human remains. Two were wearing a mask, and the third was the remains of a sacrificed child.
The Huaca Pucllana Restaurant
There is a restaurant located within the complex that goes by the same name. The restaurant specializes in traditional Peruvian cuisine and has more modern fusion-based dishes.
This restaurant has a direct view of the Huaca Pucllana pyramid, making it a great option to couple with the guided tour. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, but you’ll need to make reservations. The food, the views, and the lighting make the Huaca Pucllana restaurant a fantastic option to try Peruvian cuisine while marveling at an actual pyramid. Try the Lomo Saltado accompanied by chicha Morada or one of their excellent Pisco sours to make it a memorable experience.
Huaca Pucllana Guided Tour
The Huaca Pucllana guided tour takes an hour and ten minutes to complete. The guided tour consists of walking through the adobe pyramids, plazas, and residential areas that were constructed using sophisticated hydraulic engineering techniques.
A tour of the pyramid typically begins with a visit to the site’s museum, which houses a collection of artifacts and exhibits on the history and culture of the Lima Culture. From there, visitors can take a guided tour of the pyramid, exploring the various structures and plazas that make up the site. The tour may also include visiting the site’s on-site restaurant, which serves traditional Peruvian cuisine.
Overall, a tour of coplex offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the rich history and culture of ancient Lima Culture and experience the beauty and grandeur of this ancient pyramid.
Huaca Pucllana Tour Schedule & Pricing
The Huaca Pucllana site is open for tours on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9:00 am to 4:15 pm. Travelers must first make a reservation by filling out a form at the Huaca Pucllana website.
Reservation Form: https://bit.ly/ReservaPucllana
Group sizes are typically 10-15, with a maximum of 20 travelers.
Pricing
Entrance Ticket: S/15.00 ($4 USD)
Student and minor Ticket*: S/7.50 ($3 USD)
Reduced Pricing applies to the following groups:
- Children between 50-12 years of age
- University students (Must present student ID)
- Professors
- People with handicaps
Please let your travel advisor know if you prefer for the Journey Machu Picchu staff to reserve your Huaca Pucllana experience.
What To Wear On The Huaca Pucllana Guided Tour?
The walking tour takes travelers through an open area where (depending on the season) there is no protection from the sun’s rays. Therefore, travelers should wear comfortable clothing and comfortable footwear. In addition, we recommend bringing sunblock, specifically between December and March. Water bottles are also allowed. Let our travel advisors know so they can customize your trip if you’d like to include the Huaca Pucllana tour in a Peru tour package.
Conclusion
The Huaca Pucllana is one of the stops on the Lima city tour during the Miraflores leg of the tour. This cultural experience is one of the high points during the Lima portion of the trip. If you have the time, go to the restaurant for dinner and a cocktail.
If you need information on the Huaca Pucllana or any other landmarks and destinations in Peru, contact our travel advisers today!
This is just a brief description of the often-overlooked Huaca Pucllana, just one of many stops your Lima City Tour will take through your adventures in Peru. If you want to know more about Peru, Cusco, and Machu Picchu Travel, check out the rest of our blog posts.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Huaca Pucllana
Where is the Huaca Pucllana?
The Huaca Pucllana is located in the Miraflores district in Lima, Peru.
Is the Huaca Pucllana part of the Lima city tour?
Yes, we will normally go to the Huaca Pucllana archaeological site during the course of the Lima day tour.
Is there a Huaca Pucllana restaurant?
Yes, there is a restaurant that connects to the actual Huaca Pucllana. The restaurant also goes by the name Huaca Pucllana and offers local and fusion dishes.
What is the Huaca Pucllana?
The Huaca Pucllana was a cultural complex where the Wari and the Lima culture had ceremonies. It has a pyramid where most of the religious ceremonies and activities took place.
