Quinua

Guida di viaggio

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
Soggiorna in questa guest house a Quinua. Potrai usufruire di tutti i servizi in loco, che includono un parcheggio gratuito. Nelle vicinanze si trovano i seguenti ...
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
Il prezzo è 34 € a notte nel periodo 22 mar - 23 mar
34 €
22 mar - 23 mar
Soggiorna in questo hotel a Andrés Avelino Cáceres Dorregaray. Potrai approfittare di utili servizi come la prima colazione inclusa nel prezzo, un parcheggio ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 recensioni)
Yes

Recensione del 22 nov 2025

Hotel Club las Flores
Casa Andina Standard Ayacucho

Casa Andina Standard Ayacucho

3 out of 5
4 Portal Constitución Ayacucho Ayacucho
Il prezzo è 66 € a notte nel periodo 26 feb - 27 feb
66 €
26 feb - 27 feb
Soggiorna in questo hotel a Ayacucho. Potrai approfittare di utili servizi come la prima colazione inclusa nel prezzo, il Wi-Fi gratuito e una reception aperta ...
9,4/10 Exceptional! (9 recensioni)
El personal en especial la buena atención y servicio de Diana y Thalia

Recensione del 16 dic 2025

Casa Andina Standard Ayacucho
Prezzo per notte più basso trovato nelle ultime 24 ore, per un soggiorno di 1 notte per 2 adulti. Tariffe e disponibilità sono soggette a modifica. Si applicano condizioni aggiuntive.
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
Soggiorna in questo appartamento a Ayacucho. Potrai usufruire di tutti i servizi in loco, che includono un servizio lavanderia. Nelle vicinanze si trovano i ...
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
Soggiorna in questo appartamento a Ayacucho. Potrai usufruire di tutti i servizi in loco, che includono un servizio lavanderia. Nelle vicinanze si trovano i ...
Apartment in Ayacucho! 5 minutes from the airport!
Apartment in Plaza Mayor de Ayacucho

Apartment in Plaza Mayor de Ayacucho

Ayacucho Ayacucho
Soggiorna in questo appartamento a Ayacucho. Potrai usufruire di tutti i servizi in loco, che includono un servizio lavanderia. Nelle vicinanze si trovano i ...
Apartment in Plaza Mayor de Ayacucho
Prezzo per notte più basso trovato nelle ultime 24 ore, per un soggiorno di 1 notte per 2 adulti. Tariffe e disponibilità sono soggette a modifica. Si applicano condizioni aggiuntive.

Luoghi di interesse da non perdere

Città vicino Quinua