Tambo Colorado
Tambo Colorado
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
48 reviews
Excellent
19
Very good
24
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Leslie R
15 contributions
Dec 2023 • Solo
Definitely worth the taxi fare (s/200). Be sure to test the echo in the central plaza. Now, imagine thousands, chanting, singing, drumming, dancing. Must have made the valley quake.
Written December 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MissyJ23
Greensboro, NC164 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
We stopped at Tambo Colorado with PeruHop bus company after the originally planned slave tunnels in Chincha were unavailable due to flooding. The grounds were super cool to see, and learning the history, engineering and mechanics of the Incas was fascinating.
More importantly: WEAR SUNSCREEN. Don’t think you can burn? You will. Covered in a hat and sleeves and pants? ME TOO, and you’ll still get fried. Going literally under the cover of darkness in a multilayered tent? I don’t care, that Inca sun god will scorch you into oblivion and you too could have a forehead and neck made of beef jerky. For the love of god, Coppertone, sponsor this place.
More importantly: WEAR SUNSCREEN. Don’t think you can burn? You will. Covered in a hat and sleeves and pants? ME TOO, and you’ll still get fried. Going literally under the cover of darkness in a multilayered tent? I don’t care, that Inca sun god will scorch you into oblivion and you too could have a forehead and neck made of beef jerky. For the love of god, Coppertone, sponsor this place.
Written February 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brun066
Florence, Italy13,631 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
Some ten miles from the Peru Atlantic coast and from the city of Ica, this imposing ceremonial center stands. Historians and archaeologists point us it was founded by the Incas at the end of the 15th century, in a region previously controlled by the "Chincha" people.
The settlement looks majestic, composed by many tens of rooms, all without their original coverage (which was probably wood and straw); in these rooms it is striking to walk, as in a labyrinth. Of these rooms, a good number appear to be destined for the use of the imperial family, while others, very modest, housed the servants. Also pay attention to the wide square ("Ushnu"), often present in the Inca settlements which was intended for major ceremonies.
As is well known, the Inca empire at its heyday was covered by two great north-south "roads" (actually, sort of well-built mule tracks: the Amerindians didn't use the wheel), almost parallel, and long thousands of Kms each: the main road along the Andean highlands, the other along the coast. The path on which Tambo Colorado stood was one of the crossing routes connecting the two major north-south trails through a gentle-gradient valley, still today followed by the Ayacucho highway.
The peculiarity of Tambo Colorado, which is immediately grasped by the visitor, is its "adobe" construction (unbaked bricks, just sunburned). The desertic climate of the region allows the longevity of this building material, and in this case also allowed the preservation of the plaster's original colors on the walls (hence the name of the site).
This feature distinguishes Tambo Colorado from the Inca centers of the Sacred Valley, mostly built in solid stone. But that's not why the site is less impressive: it can not be neglected by those who travel through this region.
A tiny museum adjacent to the site, which is based on research conducted in recent years (especially the California University's at Berkeley surveys), helps also the non-experienced of Amerind's civilizations visitor, to better appreciate the place.
The settlement looks majestic, composed by many tens of rooms, all without their original coverage (which was probably wood and straw); in these rooms it is striking to walk, as in a labyrinth. Of these rooms, a good number appear to be destined for the use of the imperial family, while others, very modest, housed the servants. Also pay attention to the wide square ("Ushnu"), often present in the Inca settlements which was intended for major ceremonies.
As is well known, the Inca empire at its heyday was covered by two great north-south "roads" (actually, sort of well-built mule tracks: the Amerindians didn't use the wheel), almost parallel, and long thousands of Kms each: the main road along the Andean highlands, the other along the coast. The path on which Tambo Colorado stood was one of the crossing routes connecting the two major north-south trails through a gentle-gradient valley, still today followed by the Ayacucho highway.
The peculiarity of Tambo Colorado, which is immediately grasped by the visitor, is its "adobe" construction (unbaked bricks, just sunburned). The desertic climate of the region allows the longevity of this building material, and in this case also allowed the preservation of the plaster's original colors on the walls (hence the name of the site).
This feature distinguishes Tambo Colorado from the Inca centers of the Sacred Valley, mostly built in solid stone. But that's not why the site is less impressive: it can not be neglected by those who travel through this region.
A tiny museum adjacent to the site, which is based on research conducted in recent years (especially the California University's at Berkeley surveys), helps also the non-experienced of Amerind's civilizations visitor, to better appreciate the place.
Written September 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndeanTraveller
San Jose, CA26 contributions
I visited Paracas in October 2010. I decided to book a tour to Tambo Colorado through the Paracas Overland tour company. I thoroughly enjoyed the excursion.
The cost of the trip was about $50, plus entrance fee, plus tip for my guide and driver. Plan for at least 3 hours. 2 hours travel time and at least 1 hour to see the ruins.
The ruins are in great shape (minus graffiti scratched into the walls). They aren't as extensive as other more well known ruins, but there's still a lot to see.
My guide spoke excellent English and was a lot of fun to talk to. Make sure that you ask your guide to take you to the cemetery if they don't suggest it themselves.
This is a great alternative to a day long visit to the Nazca lines. As an added bonus, the drive through the countryside is very pretty, with some nice photo ops.
The cost of the trip was about $50, plus entrance fee, plus tip for my guide and driver. Plan for at least 3 hours. 2 hours travel time and at least 1 hour to see the ruins.
The ruins are in great shape (minus graffiti scratched into the walls). They aren't as extensive as other more well known ruins, but there's still a lot to see.
My guide spoke excellent English and was a lot of fun to talk to. Make sure that you ask your guide to take you to the cemetery if they don't suggest it themselves.
This is a great alternative to a day long visit to the Nazca lines. As an added bonus, the drive through the countryside is very pretty, with some nice photo ops.
Written November 11, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Moro1960
Saint Paul, MN67 contributions
Jan 2012 • Solo
A local guide told me about this site and I decided to explore it. Rented a car in Lima and was part of my tour to Paracas and Nazca.
The road from Panamericana Sur to the Tambo Colorado site is quite nice. Built 10 year ago is well amaintained ant it goes by little towns and nice vineyards. The site is well preserved (incredible how it lasted so many centuries without any touch and specially as the old road used to cut it in the middle ...you can still see it). I was tahte alone and had the chance to chat with the local guard, who leves there. Wonderful family that will tell you a little bit about the site and a lot about how peruvians live there. Do them a great favor and bring them things to read in spanish (newspapers, magazines, old books, anything .. they are avid readers but have very little contact with civilization). The scenery is great and walking those ruins alone was quite charming. Bring water as there is nothing there for you to buy. Enjoy !
The road from Panamericana Sur to the Tambo Colorado site is quite nice. Built 10 year ago is well amaintained ant it goes by little towns and nice vineyards. The site is well preserved (incredible how it lasted so many centuries without any touch and specially as the old road used to cut it in the middle ...you can still see it). I was tahte alone and had the chance to chat with the local guard, who leves there. Wonderful family that will tell you a little bit about the site and a lot about how peruvians live there. Do them a great favor and bring them things to read in spanish (newspapers, magazines, old books, anything .. they are avid readers but have very little contact with civilization). The scenery is great and walking those ruins alone was quite charming. Bring water as there is nothing there for you to buy. Enjoy !
Written January 22, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TX2OBX
Dallas, Tx172 contributions
This remarkably preserved Inca outpost and administrative center is located with earlier native ("submitted peoples") ruins. The small visitor center only gives an introduction to the location, so a little preliminary reading is advised. We went here on a Princess Cruises excursion from San Martin, and the ride up the Pisco River was very enlightening about the area.
Written January 18, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VoodooNite
Colorado Springs, CO130 contributions
Mar 2019
Stopped by here from a cruise ship. This Inca village/town is very well preserved and the history is very fascinating. However, it was very hot and dusty. Take plenty of water.
Written April 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maurticia51
Aberdeenshire, UK75 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
Tambo Colorado was well worth the hour & a half coach ride from San Martin. There is no shade so don’t forget your hat, sun screen & plenty of water. It’s an uneven short walk to the main buildings where they allow you to wander through, gaze on & realise how clever this ancient civilisation was. We were told, nobody knows for sure, but it’s thought that Tambo Colorado was a Staging Post en route from coast to the mountains. Nobody actually lived there. We climbed higher, looked down into the valley, they’d chosen strategically we thought ? Get closer to the buildings & you’ll see bursts of original colours, red, ochre & some black, so it must have stood out vividly in its glory days ! Just visiting allows you the privilege to imagine what it must have been like. Afterwards we perused the stalls & made use of the clean facilities. Worldwide why is there always a long Q for the ladies, never for the men’s ?
Written March 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mcginthy
Kerrville, TX31 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
This was a very interesting ruins to visit. It was very different from other ruins I have visited. One of the great features, is that you are allowed to walk thru and climb around all the ruins. I hope this continues, but of course that depends on the people who visit, and their respect for the place they are being allowed to experience, i.e. no graffiti or initials carved into the walls. Please respect the site.
Written January 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gede_Dana
Bali, Indonesia119 contributions
Feb 2016 • Friends
The ruins is amazing. Walk on the site makes us like flying back over centuries ago. long journey from paracas is paid when we arrive here. Please prepare your hat as here is hot. Will be better if you come here already know the history because here is lack of information about the site. However the site is worth a visit when you are in paracas
Written February 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
É possível visitar as ruinas em cadeiras de rodas? Is it possible to visit the ruins in a wheakchair?
Written July 21, 2019
If staying in Pisco/Paracas, what is the least expensive way to get to these ruins? Any recommendations please, tour or guide needed? We do not have a car. Thank you.
Written February 5, 2017
Hi, you can hire a car. Tour or guide not needed, just a driver. Use a good guidebook to understand the ruins.
Written September 16, 2017
What tour company did you use for the Tambo Colorado tour? Thanks
Written September 24, 2015
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