Quinua

Guide de voyage

Located 22 kilometres north-east of Ayacucho, on the road to Quinua, the Wari ruins cover some 16 square kilometres in an isolated, elevated location in the middle of the biggest cactus forest I’ve ever seen.

The Wari were an ancient civilisation who flourished between 600 AD and 1100 AD, long before the Incas arrived.  Their empire extended north beyond Chiclayo and south as far as Lake Titicaca (that’s the majority of the length of the entire country), with its capital on the pampa above Ayacucho.   Once home to some 50,000 people, there is now possibly the same number of cactus plants in their place.

A fantastic place if you love cacti, nature, ruins, and isolation :-)
Located 22 kilometres north-east of Ayacucho, on the road to Quinua, the Wari ruins cover some 16 square kilometres in an isolated, elevated location in the middle of the biggest cactus forest I’ve ever seen.

The Wari were an ancient civilisation who flourished between 600 AD and 1100 AD, long before the Incas arrived.  Their empire extended north beyond Chiclayo and south as far as Lake Titicaca (that’s the majority of the length of the entire country), with its capital on the pampa above Ayacucho.   Once home to some 50,000 people, there is now possibly the same number of cactus plants in their place.

A fantastic place if you love cacti, nature, ruins, and isolation :-)
20km north east of Ayacucho, on the road to Quinua (not sure if the position on the map is EXACTLY correct) are the ruins of the capital of the Wari empire.  

The Wari ruled from 600AD to 1100AD and therefore pre-date the Incas.

The extensive ruins are scattered among endless fields of Opuntia cacti and Prickly Pear, and these were more of a fascination to me than the ruins themselves.  

Despite being so exposed, the site felt quite mysterious and strangely eerie: we didn't see a single other tourist there, but we did see swarms of locusts (which, at first we mistook for birds).

It's a beautiful spot, the views are amazing on a clear day and you'll see plenty of colourful butterflies and flowers.  But remember to bring water, as the site is literally in the middle of nowhere, so there are no opportunities to purchase any nearby.

You can catch a local bus, combi or shared taxi to the ruins, but be wary of stopping too late.  We stayed until dusk, and ended up having to hitch a ride back to Ayacucho because - I assume - we'd missed the last lot of public transportation heading that way.
HOSPEDAJE LIBERTADORES

HOSPEDAJE LIBERTADORES

2 out of 5
Al costado del mercado quinua Quinua Ayacucho
Séjournez dans cette maison d'hÎtes à Quinua. Cet hébergement propose un parking gratuit. Des attractions populaires, comme Réserve nationale Pampas de Ayacucho ...
HOSPEDAJE LIBERTADORES
Hotel Club las Flores

Hotel Club las Flores

3 out of 5
Jr Parinacochas Mz N Lote 14, Santa Elena Andres Avelino Caceres Dorregaray Ayacucho
EntiÚrement remboursableRéservez maintenant, payez lors de votre séjour
Le prix est de CHF 31 par nuit du 22 mars au 23 mars.
CHF 31
22 mars - 23 mars
Séjournez dans cet hÎtel à Andrés Avelino Cåceres Dorregaray. Cet hébergement propose le petit déjeuner gratuit, un parking gratuit et une réception ouverte ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 avis)
Yes

Avis laissé le 22 nov. 2025

Hotel Club las Flores
Casa Andina Standard Ayacucho

Casa Andina Standard Ayacucho

3 out of 5
4 Portal ConstituciĂłn Ayacucho Ayacucho
Le prix est de CHF 65 par nuit du 8 mars au 9 mars.
CHF 65
8 mars - 9 mars
Séjournez dans cet hÎtel à Ayacucho. Cet hébergement propose le petit déjeuner gratuit, le Wi-Fi gratuit et une réception ouverte 24 h/24. Des attractions populaires, ...
9,4/10 Exceptional! (9 avis)
El personal en especial la buena atenciĂłn y servicio de Diana y Thalia

Avis laissé le 16 déc. 2025

Casa Andina Standard Ayacucho
Prix le plus bas trouvĂ© au cours des 24 derniĂšres heures sur la base d’un sĂ©jour d’une nuit pour 2 adultes. Les prix et la disponibilitĂ© sont susceptibles de changer. D’autres conditions peuvent s’appliquer.
5 minutos a la plaza principal. Casa de cuatro pisos: pequeño, cómodo, acogedor.

5 minutos a la plaza principal. Casa de cuatro pisos: pequeño, cómodo, acogedor.

Ayacucho Ayacucho
Séjournez dans cet appartement à Ayacucho. Cet hébergement propose une laverie. Des attractions populaires, comme Place d'armes d'Ayacucho et Musée d'art populaire ...
5 minutos a la plaza principal. Casa de cuatro pisos: pequeño, cómodo, acogedor.
Apartment in Ayacucho! 5 minutes from the airport!

Apartment in Ayacucho! 5 minutes from the airport!

Ayacucho Ayacucho
Séjournez dans cet appartement à Ayacucho. Cet hébergement propose une laverie. Des attractions populaires, comme Parc Mariscal Cåceres et Musée archéologique ...
Apartment in Ayacucho! 5 minutes from the airport!
Apartment in Plaza Mayor de Ayacucho

Apartment in Plaza Mayor de Ayacucho

Ayacucho Ayacucho
Séjournez dans cet appartement à Ayacucho. Cet hébergement propose une laverie. Des attractions populaires, comme Préfecture et Musée d'art populaire d'Ayacucho, ...
Apartment in Plaza Mayor de Ayacucho
Prix le plus bas trouvĂ© au cours des 24 derniĂšres heures sur la base d’un sĂ©jour d’une nuit pour 2 adultes. Les prix et la disponibilitĂ© sont susceptibles de changer. D’autres conditions peuvent s’appliquer.

Les endroits populaires Ă  visiter