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Visit pre-Inca aqueducts

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Admire 2,500-year-old water channels in an otherworldly setting of jagged rock formations.

Lying just outside Cajamarca in the Andean mountains of central Peru, the 2,500-year-old aqueducts of Cumbe Mayo demonstrate the sophistication of Peru’s ancient peoples as well as offering sublime views over a prehistoric-looking landscape.

These zigzagging stone water channels run for several kilometres and are said to be the oldest man-made structures in South America. From their isolated location you can appreciate the striking, needle-like rock formations that rise in turrets from the surrounding grasslands. Like much of northern Peru, it’s a scene that richly rewards the relatively few tourists who venture here.

In addition to the aqueducts, you’ll also visit nearby cave paintings and the pre-Inca ceremonial site of Layzon, which dates back to 200 BC.

Holidays Visit pre-Inca aqueducts

From expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted holidays.

Archeological statue in northern Peru

Private Journeys

Peru

Treasures of Peru: The archaeological riches of the north

15 days from £4,510pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Papagaio

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    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

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    Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

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    Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.

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    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

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    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

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    Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.

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