It's hard to walk anywhere in Peru without running into an archeological site. The Egypt of the Americas does not disappoint. Here are the most important sites.

Peru is considered the cradle of civilization in the America’s. Some of the most important archeological discoveries of the 20th century occurred here, and more are making headlines all the time.

Most think of Machu Picchu when they think of Peruvian archeological sites, but there is much, much more

Here is a list of Peru’s most important and most visited ruins:

Jungle/Cloud Forest

Machu Picchu - Perhaps the most spectacular ancient site in the world, nothing can prepare you for the awe that is Machu Picchu. The UNESCO world heritage site and New World Wonder is worth every bit of effort to reach. It was by no means an important Incan city.

Kuelap - The walled fortress/city of the Chachapoyan/cloud Warriors can be seen on a day trip from Chachapoyas in the central high jungle.

Vilcabamba - The long, lost city of the Incas can be reached on an intense hike through the high jungle from near Quillabamba. This is what Hiram Bingham wanted to and thought he found when he discovered Machu Picchu.

Sacred Valley

Cusco Area Ruins - The well preserved ruins of Sacsayhuaman (home of the Inti Raymi celebration), Timbo Machay, Q’enko, and Puca Pucara were mostly military and ceremonial sites. They are the closest ruins to Cusco and saw many famous scenes during conquest.

Chinchero - Finely carved walls are the highlight of this small set of ruins, now part church and market.

Moray - These circular terraces were believed to be used by the Incas for crop experimentation.

Pisac - Huge stone terraces and several small buildings, all perfectly restored, sit high above the famous town and marketplace.

Ollantaytambo - The imposing military fort, seemingly carved out of the side of a mountain, prevented intruders from entering the valley that leads to Machu Picchu.

Choquequirao - Surrounded by snow capped peaks and dense forests, Choquequirao, is another lost Inca city and can only be reached via a difficult multi-day hike. Often called the sister city to Machu Picchu for its remarkably similar size and architecture.

Andes

Chavín de Huantar - Constructed by the Chavín culture around 900 BC, this UNESCO World Heritage site in the high Andes near adventure sports mecca Huaraz features highly detailed statues, stone carvings, stone heads, several large buildings with underground tunnels, and a large plaza.

Temple of the Crossed Hands - Huanuco’s Templo de las Manos Cruzadas is a small set of Huanca/Wanka ruins. The actual hands can be found in Lima’s Museo Nacional de Antropología, Arqueología e Historia.

Wari - The cactus filled ruins of Ayacucho’s Wari were created by the culture of the same name.

Coast

Caral - Only recently discovered, this small cluster of pyramids and ruins just north of Lima are thought to be the oldest in the America’s and were constructed around the same time of those of Egypt.

Pachacamac - Home of an ancient cult that even the Incas feared. Huge complex of pyramids on the coast just south of Lima.

Chan Chan - The largest adobe city in the world, built by the Chimu culture approximately 100 years ago, sits between Trujillo and Huanchaco Beach. It has deteriorated badly in parts, but restorations have kept a central area near the entrance quite complete.

Huacas Del Sol y de La Luna - Two massive pyramids hiding Moche murals stand just outside of Trujillo.

El Brujo - This Moche archeological complex dates back to between 100 BC-650 AD located near Trujillo. Important excavations and discoveries are ongoing at Huaca Cao Viejo, where a tattooed female warrior mummy was uncovered.

Sipán - The Lord of Sipan/El Señor de Sipán, now resting in the Royal Tombs of Sipan museum in Lambayeque next to Chiclayo, was found at this Moche archeological site in the lower Lambayeque Valley.

Sicán - Decendents of the Moche, the Sicán ruled a small area at Ferreñafe, 25 miutes from Chiclayo. A new museum (Museo Nacional de Sicán) was recently inaugurated.

Tucume - Twenty-six huge pyramids that look like mountains sit in this spectacular, and rarely visited, site north of Chiclayo that was excavated by Thor Heyerdahl, who sailed the Kon-tiki.