Chavín de Huántar



Chavín de Huántar is a town and archaeological site from the pre-Incan Chavin culture of around 900 BC containing ruins and other artefacts. The site in the Central Andes of Peru is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Understand
Chavín de Huántar is a town of around 9,000 inhabitants, most of which are bilingual in Spanish and Quechua. It's the capital of a district with the same name and is perched high up in the Andes at an altitude of 3,137 m above sea level.

Once it was an important center of Chavín ceremonies and a pilgrimage destination, which had a cultural influence on much of Peru from the coast to the highlands from the 15th to the 3rd century BCE. Today the site attracts visitors who want to learn more about this ancient culture from a historical point of view but also visitors interested in the spiritual and mystic site of the place even in the present day, as well as the entheogenic plants of the region (also used in the ancient ceremonies).

Moreover, there's a great deal of beautiful nature in the surroundings. Part of the district is in the Huascarán National Park and there are several day or multi-day treks to see snow-capped mountains, waterfalls and streams.

Climate
Chavín is in the tropics, but also at a high altitude so temperatures aren't particularly high for this latitude. Daytime highs are generally below +20°C, and at night temperatures are a few degrees below +10°C. As with tropical locations, the temperatures don't change much throughout the year but the amount of rain does. The dry season, also known "Andean summer", ranges from April to November, whereas the rainy season covers December to March - though months just before and after the rainy season aren't entirely dry. During the rainy season it may rain up to 1000 mm.

By bus
There are daily buses from Huaraz, Huari, Llamellín and Lima.

From Huaraz the distance is, and the ride along a paved road takes at least two hours. The trip goes south to Cátac, then eastwards at which point the road starts ascending. It then enters the Huascarán National Park and goes through the Kahuish tunnel to enter the district of Chavín de Huántar. Several bus companies located on Mariscal Caceres avenue offer regular departures throughout the day to Chavin (S/12, May 2014). Buses to destinations further afield also stop at Chavin around midnight, but then you'll need to have accommodation sorted out ahead.

By taxi
You might also be able to find shared taxis and combis from Huaraz. From San Marcos, a town away, you can get in by taxi colectivo or combi. The former is a private vehicle, commonly a station wagon, and the latter is a small van with seats. Combis are part of a private association operating routes approved by the Peruvian Ministry of Transport.

By foot
There are hikes of two days and longer from other villages, going through the beautiful Huascarán National Park. Alternatively you can hike along the Inka naani, a well preserved part of the world heritage listed Qhapaq Ñan network of Inca trails. The most famous trail is the Olleros-Chavín trail beginning in the village of Olleros near Huaraz. It has a distance of 38 km, and includes the mountain pass of Yanashallash at above sea level. Do hire a guide from one of the many tour agencies.

By tour
You can also get to Chavín by tour from Huaraz, all the agencies offer a package transportation + Guide for S/35-40 (as of May 2014).

Get around
Attractions within the town are within walking distance, the same goes for most of the sites outside town (see the See section for individual advice).

See










Outside town








Buy
The region has long traditions of making carved stone art, and many shops in town where you can buy such artworks by local artisans.





Sleep
It's a small city but there are several places to sleep, most of which are concentrated downtown.



Stay healthy
As with many locations in Peru, altitude sickness and sunburn are real risks.

There's a health center in the city, and a few pharmacies. The closest hospitals are in Huari (38 km away) and in Huaraz (104 km away, has three hospitals). In addition there are a few small health centers in nearby hamlets.





Connect
Some hotels offer free Wi-Fi. Operators Claro and Movistar have 3G coverage in town and a bit outside of it, Movistar also has 2G coverage further out.

Go next

 * Huaraz
 * Huascarán National Park