Jauja: Tunanmarca Archaeological Site

The hill top site of Tunanmarca was occupied by the Xuaxa people of the Yanamarca valley until it was conquered by the Incas in the 1500s. The site had hundreds of round buildings, many partials remain, even with the distinctive trapezoidal doorway. This is only the third archaeological site we have ever been with majority round buildings. We enjoyed clambering around. I only wish they had better signs/explanations.

Most people arrive to the site on tours. We arrived on a combi 5kms away and 300m below the site which made the visit an expedition. Google maps showed a site museum, but it is no longer operating.

Traveler Tip: Transport to Tunanmarca leaves from the terminal near the old train station. Actually the terminal is a big, dirt, busy parking lot (note that the buses to Huancayo (via Concepción), 3.5 soles, also leave from here). Look for a sign that says Valle de Yanamarca. Go to that general area and ask around for Tunanamarca. There is a person in charge. Try to ask that person. There are frequent shared small vans to Tunanmarca, be patient. The fare is 2 soles. The fares in Jauaja are set. You usually see them listed on a sticker inside the vehicle. The driver of our van knew exactly where to drop us off - we told him we were walking to the ruinas.

The combi driver dropped us off below. This is the view after ascending to the town mirador/viewpoint. They do agriculture in this valley.


There are some tractors here; however, one also sees men plowing with a pair of donkeys, and teams of workers working large fields with short sturdy hoes. And corn is planted by hand.


It's a 5km walk on the road to the site entrance; however, there are footpath shortcuts on the final switchbacks. If you zoom in to this photo you can see folks planing corn by hand down in the valley - look for the blue bags of seeds - and at the very top of the hill you can spot the remnants of defensive walls from pre-Inca times.




Sun-Ling on the shortcut.


We're at the site entrance. From here it's another 15-minute walk uphill to the ruins.


Map of the structure ruins we'll see at the top.




The path up to the ruins is paved.


Sun-Ling stands by a gate in one of the defensive walls.


Once at the ruins we are amazed at how extensive they are. And the amount of fallen stone from the round structure leaves hardly any room for a walking path through the ruins. We follow the yellow arrows.


Our information says that there were more than 400 of these circular structures in the ancient town.










Sun-Ling is excited to spot a 90 degree corner. ;-)




The Plaza Principal and adjacent areas are more or less flat as you see in this 360 view.










Olives bought in the market make our lunch extra tasty.


A big group enters the site while we are eating our lunch. Seeing them walk through the ruins gives some perspective.


Here you can see them in the distance at the Plaza Principal.




Walking back to the site entrance and 5 kms to Tunanmarca. I'm standing below the defensive wall. Wow!


The path takes us along the defensive wall (at right).


The big gruppo is ahead of us.


Sun-Ling leads the way back to Tunanmarca.






Our umbrellas come out just a we reach Tunanmarca.


Back in Jauja, another view of from Gran Hotel Tunanmarca.


Some hot noodle soup to start dinner.