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PeruMagazin · Sights · Chankillo

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Áncash · UNESCO World Heritage · Archaeoastronomy

Chankillo – The Thirteen Towers and Peru's Oldest Solar Calendar

Chankillo is an extraordinary archaeoastronomical complex in the Casma Valley. Thirteen towers on a desert ridge form an artificial horizon that allowed for the observation of sunrises and sunsets throughout the year.

Travel conditions today · Chankillo

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Visiting at a glance

DurationAbout 2 to 3 hoursScheduling depends on transport, route, and breaks.
DifficultyOpen desert terrainObserve the notes on paths and visiting conditions below.
AltitudeCoastal regionExact altitude is not confirmed.
Booking requirementsCheck in advanceVerify current reservation and access requirements with the operator before arriving.
Region
Áncash
Location
Casma Valley
UNESCO
World Heritage since 2021

Places and experiences

Chankillo at a glance

The prehistoric complex is located in the arid coastal landscape of the Casma Valley. According to UNESCO, Chankillo was primarily used between 250 and 200 BC. The site combines architecture, landscape, and the annual path of the sun into an exceptionally precise calendar system.

The World Heritage site includes the fortified temple on a hill, the observatory, an administrative area, the Cerro Mucho Malo, and the famous row of thirteen tower-like structures.

Photo gallery

The Thirteen Towers of Chankillo
The Thirteen Towers form an artificial horizon
The fortified temple of Chankillo
The fortified temple with its multiple defensive walls
Observation corridor with a view of the Thirteen Towers
The observation axis directed the view straight toward the towers
Desert landscape of the Chankillo archaeoastronomical complex
Architecture and desert horizon are part of the calendar system

Why it's worth a visit

Chankillo is not a single monument, but a large-scale cultural landscape. Looking at the towers from the former observation point, one can see how the gaps and edges served as markers for solar positions.

The barren desert makes the principle particularly visible: natural mountains and man-made towers together form a horizon used to determine dates within the solar year.

Archaeological highlights

  • the Thirteen Towers on the elongated hill ridge
  • the western observation point and its aligned corridor
  • the triple-walled fortified temple
  • remains of the administrative and ceremonial area
  • the Cerro Mucho Malo as a natural horizon marker
  • the vast desert landscape of the Casma Valley
Important: Chankillo is located in a hot, largely shadeless desert landscape. Paths, access, and on-site support can change. Travel and current visit options should therefore be confirmed in Casma in advance.

The main areas

The Thirteen Towers

The cuboid towers stand in a north-south line on the crest of a hill. From the observation points, their edges and the spaces between them mark the points of the sun's sunrise and sunset as they shift throughout the year.

The western observatory

A long corridor ended at an opening precisely aligned with the row of towers. This directed the view toward the artificial horizon.

The fortified temple

The triple-walled complex is situated on a neighboring hill. Its monumental walls show that Chankillo had ceremonial and political significance in addition to its astronomical function.

Opening hours and admission

Visiting conditions for Chankillo are not published consistently or permanently everywhere. PeruMagazin therefore does not list unconfirmed fixed times or prices.

Check before your visit

  • whether the site is accessible on the planned day
  • whether registration or a local guide is required
  • which access route is currently in use
  • whether there are on-site admission or guide fees
UNESCO information on Chankillo

Best time to visit

An early arrival is advisable due to heat, strong sunlight, and a lack of shade. The low-angled sun also makes the spatial relationship between the towers and the horizon particularly easy to understand.

Even on the coast, the sky can be intermittently overcast. Sun protection and sufficient water remain essential for a pleasant tour.

What visitors should bring

  • at least sufficient drinking water
  • sun hat, sunscreen, and light, long clothing
  • sturdy shoes for sandy and stony paths
  • a small snack
  • offline map and fully charged mobile phones

Chankillo with children

The history of the solar calendar is easy to explain to children. However, due to heat, lack of shade, uneven paths, and potential longer transit times, the visit is better suited for families accustomed to desert excursions who plan for enough water and breaks.

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Frequently asked questions about Chankillo

Where is Chankillo?

Chankillo is located in the Áncash region in the Casma Valley on Peru's north-central coast.

Why exactly thirteen towers?

The towers and the spaces between them form markers for the annual movement of the sun along the horizon when viewed from the observation point.

Is Chankillo an observatory?

Chankillo is an archaeoastronomical complex consisting of observation points, towers, and temple and administrative areas. The entire ensemble functioned as a solar calendar.

Since when has Chankillo been a UNESCO World Heritage site?

The complex was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2021.

How much time is needed?

About two to three hours are recommended for arrival, orientation, and a tour. Travel time from Casma should be added to this.

Sources

Further reading: Casma and the coastal valley · Sights in Peru · Events in Peru