Tiwanaku - An ancient pre-Inca culture

 


This is probably the most important archaeological site in Bolivia, located a couple of hours from La Paz. It is easy to visit independently, taking a shared minibus from the main cemetery of La Paz. It was BOB 20 to get there, but on the way back I only paid BOB 20. Probably to Tiwanaku I was charged the full price to the Peruvian border, back however they were happy to pick up someone as the colectivo wasn`t full. Getting in and out of La Paz takes half the time, so upon our return I got out on the outskirts of El Alto and took the cable car (blue and red lines) to the centre. Tiwanaku consists of a main site, two museums and a smaller site closer to the main road. 


Snow-covered ranges in the distance on the way to Tiwanaku.



From the main road you have to walk a bit on a secondary road (or take a taxi) to reach the main site, first passing this gate.





The main compound with the main site and two museums.



The ticket office. Entrance fee was BOB 150 in 2023, which is quite high with Bolivian standards but absolutely worth it.


Let`s start the tour!
(Zoom in the maps to read the English information.)




















































































This statue, marked on the map as as Estela Fraile, did not have an information board.






















In both museums I was warned it is not allowed to take any photos, not even without flash. Then, as I was marvelling at this colossal statue, a group of tourists arrived and started making selfies and the guard didn`t say a word. So I guess you have to bribe the guides and then it is OK. I didn`t, but took a couple of pictures anyway. This statue is much bigger than the ones outside and this is the most significant item of the collections.



Pumapunku is the smaller archaeological site, located next to the secondary road that leads back to the main road. 



















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