Claire Dean
Claire Dean

Claire Dean

Travel in South America is a joy to behold. The rich variety of destinations, experiences, landscapes and geography fascinated me so much, that I chose to relocate here, over 20 years ago! The best thing I ever did! Allow me to share my knowledge and passion for Central and South America with you and help you plan your holiday of a lifetime!

Tambo Colorado Tour

Tambo Colorado Tour

3MINREAD

Written by:Claire Dean

Published: 2022-11-11

One of the best-preserved archaeological sites in Peru and one of the most established Inca centers on the coast, Tambo Colorado was built at the time of the Inca Pachacutec to house his soldiers and the high dignitaries of the town. Faded but still visible, the adobe complex of Tambo Colorado derives its name from the abundant colors that once vividly adorned its outer walls. Situated between the Pacific coast and the Andes Mountains of southern Peru, the decorated surfaces and structure have survived remarkably well for centuries due to the region's arid and temperate climate. The Inca settlement was constructed as an administrative and ceremonial center.

 

Tambo Colorado near the town of Pisco, is also called Puka Tampu, Pucallacta, or Pucahuasi. Tambo Colorado is a 15th-century Inca administrative center, that is still in an excellent state of preservation. The archaeological site was built as a resting stop for those traveling between the coastal region of Peru and The Andes so that they could acclimatize to the high elevations. Visit when you travel to Ica Peru!

Tambo Colorado

Tambo Colorado: A Strategic Inca Site

The site is strategically located midway along the Camino Real from Cusco. From this position, it was possible to control the flow of commerce and access to water sources in the region. The only Inca complex composed entirely of adobe and "tapia" walls, as an adaptation to the coastal environment, Tambo Colorado follows the typical Incan design with recessed trapezoidal niches and a rectangular floor plan. Tambo Colorado was one of the most critical coastal sites of the Incan empire. Strategically positioned and uniquely crafted, the site offers essential historical, archaeological, and religious insight into Incan culture. Today, it is an important symbol to those living in the surrounding coastal environment. Seismic activity, aggressive weather conditions, and uncontrolled tourism threaten the site's stability and preservation.

 

The adobe walls at Tambo Colorado are colored in thick stripes of red, white, and yellow, which are still evident today. The archaeological site of Tambo Colorado includes a palace and a central temple. Some fascinating characteristics here are that the Incas who lived here had access to drainage systems. Also, doctors would perform brain surgery on rocks which caused internal bleeding in the brain. Find out more fascinating facts about Tambo Colorado on your Ica Peru tours.

Tambo Colorado

Tambo Colorado: A Sacred Inca Site Built by Pachacutec

The Inca king Pachacutec is said to have built this site along a vital trade route for the Incas. Looking at this large complex, you can see several structures, with a large central trapezoid plaza measuring approximately 150m in length. A Northern Palace and a Southern Palace are on either end of the plaza. Facing the river, you will see a raised platform where the shaman lived. This ceremonial platform is called the Ushnu and is where sacrifices to the Gods of the earth were made. The Incas worshipped all things related to the land. They worshipped the mountains, the sun god, the river, and the great harvest every year. Most of all, they worshiped fertility and many other things directly related to survival in such harsh environments in Peru.
On an Inca calendar, this is primarily represented as a shifting circle around the harvest seasons and family. As you wander around Tambo Colorado, into the rooms - you will see that the original wood is above the door threshold. In one room, you can see that they even had a form of indoor plumbing, where stones were placed strategically to allow water from the river to flow into the home itself. Surprisingly, the walls are painted, and the plaster and paint are original to the site.

 

When you visit Ica, take a day trip to Tambo Colorado. This ancient site is divided into three large sectors. These are separated by the road that goes from the mountains towards the coast and a large plaza. The main plaza has a small platform called an "Ushno" where the Inca addressed his people.

Tambo Colorado

Tambo Colorado: A Well-Preserved Alternative to Machu Picchu

Most of the information about Inca archaeological sites in Peru is centered around Machu Picchu, offering impressive views of the ruins amongst the clouds. But the magnificent site of Machu Picchu has now become crowded and quite commercialized. Tambo Colorado provides a much more authentic look into how the Inca lived. The ruins here are so well preserved that you can still see the straw in the plaster and the adobe bricks, plus tiny channels where the rare rainfall has carved out the patterns in the bricks.

 

Tambo Colorado is definitely one of the lesser-visited Inca archaeological sites when you visit Peru. The fact it is off the beaten track means it is one of the best-preserved Inca ruins in the country. To see the site you should take Ica Peru tours for the perfect excursion that is brimming with ancient Inca history.

Tambo Colorado

Today, Pisco rotates around the tourists that visit this off-the-beaten-path site. However, the people of Pisco still dedicate their lives to produce and the livelihood it creates for them and their families. Before this was a protected site, young people would use the Tambo Colorado area to carve their names into the walls so that a part of them would remain here forever. The damage is irreparable, however, as the materials used back in the day are no longer available, and the etched graffiti is evident.

 

Tambo Colorado is found in the middle of a dune desert area. Therefore it is not possible to spend time there when you visit Lima unless you go and spend a night in either Pisco or Ica. Tambo Colorado was a pre-Inca site and was further developed during the Inca reign. It was on the route of one of the two North-South roads built by the Incas for transportation and communication. It was the route of "Chaskis" - the messengers who carried communication by foot, between the differing Inca towns.

Tambo Colorado

During the tour, you will also be able to observe the Pisco Valley and its villages and the Pisco River. There will also be a visit to a small Tambo Colorado museum where archaeological remains from that era can be found.

 

Pisco was one of the contenders to be the capital of Peru during the colonial conquest. It was a vital port at the time and Tambo Colorado was an important administrative center due to its strategic location near the port. Built at the base of steep foothills in the Pisco River valley, it was perfect for controlling the flow of people and produce along the ancient road down from the Andes. Find out more about this important site on your Ica Peru Tours.

Pisco Valley and River

 

Book the Valencia Travel Tambo Colorado Tour here on your visit to Peru.
 

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