Andean Experience unveils two new unique lodging options in Peru

Andean Experience (AE) opened Peru’s first tented exploration camp, PUQIO, in September, as part of its Southern Route, which includes Titilaka on the shores of Lake Titicaca and CIRQA in Arequipa. PUQIO is situated in the remote Colca Valley in the Southern Peruvian Andes, a region rich with biodiversity - such as the Andean condor, hot springs, volcanoes and home of one of the world's deepest canyons, the Colca Canyon. Guests can choose from three distinct and locally designed tents and anticipate a range of activities and outings, including trips to local marketplaces, andean fishing, visits to thermal baths, wildlife-watching and much more.

1. Second polychrome wall discovered at Huaca Temple (August 2023):

In August, Peruvian archaeologists discovered a second polychrome wall at Huaca Tomabal temple in La Libertad, located in northern Peru. The first polychrome wall was discovered there in 2020 by farmers. Based on the wall's estimated age of 4,500 years, it indicates the temple was constructed in the pre-ceramic period, around 1,000 years older than previously thought.

2. Scientific update announces ancient whale species as a contender for the largest animal to have ever lived (August 2023):

In early August, a scientific update was announced regarding a new contender for the heaviest animal to have ever lived - an ancient whale species, Percuteus Colossus, that once lived in Peru’s Ica province around 40 million years ago. The first fossils of this whale were discovered 30 years ago, and more remains have been found since, including vertebrae, ribs and a hip bone. Based on the density of these bones, researchers speculate that this whale likely weighed more than what is otherwise known to be the largest animal to have ever lived - the blue whale - that weighs between 90 and 130 tonnes.

3. University students in Lima discover 3,000-year-old mummy (June 2023):

In June, students from San Marcos University made a significant discovery during an excavation project in Lima. An estimated 3,000-year-old mummy was discovered wrapped in a funeral bundle alongside beads, corn, shells and other artefacts. Experts believe the mummy belonged to the Manchay culture, active from 1500 BC to 1000 BC in present-day Lima.

4. New Nazca Lines discovered using AI technology (June 2023):

Scientists from Japan’s Yamagata University announced in June that they had discovered new Nazca Lines in the Nazca Desert of southern Peru. The researchers reportedly used sophisticated Deep Learning (DL) AI technology to identify a human figure, a pair of legs, a bird and a fish. Research is ongoing, and it’s believed DL technology will revolutionize the process of identifying more geoglyphs at increased speed.

5. Ychsma culture human remains from 1,000 to 1,450 years AD found in Lima (2023):

A team of archaeologists at the Huaca Pucllana historic site in the Miraflores district of Lima have unearthed an individual tomb with human remains from the early period of Ychsma culture, which settled in the central coast of Peru between 1,000 and 1,450 years AD.