Illuminated ruins of Huaca Pucllana at dusk with a restaurant nearby.

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Huaca Mateo Salado

Discover a massive 17-hectare ancient complex built by the Ychsma culture.

Photo: tour listing on Viator

Located just a few districts away from Huaca Pucllana, Huaca Mateo Salado features five stepped pyramids. The Ychsma culture built this administrative and religious center between 1200 and 1450 AD.

It connects directly to the ancient Inca road system. This expansive site often has fewer crowds, making it a quiet alternative for history tours.

Tourists walking along a fenced pathway beside the massive adobe walls of Huaca Pucllana.

The Five Pyramids

45 minReaches 18m high

These massive, truncated stepped pyramids rise up to 18 meters high. The Ychsma culture constructed them between 1200 and 1450 AD. This area receives fewer visitors than Huaca Pucllana, giving you a quieter visit.

Close-up view of the stacked adobe bricks forming the terraces of Huaca Pucllana.

The Main Esplanade

15 minCommunity events

This large northern plaza once hosted significant ancient ceremonies. Today, the local community uses the open space for events like kite-flying festivals. Check local schedules to see if an event aligns with your visit.

Detailed perspective of the ancient, vertical adobe brickwork on the pyramid walls.

Qhapaq Ñan Network

15 minInca road link

This sector highlights the link to the vast Inca road system known as Qhapaq Ñan. It demonstrates how coastal settlements integrated into the broader Inca Empire. Take time to examine the ancient route paths here.