An evocative archaeological site in which it seems as though you can still hear the voices of the ancient inhabitants of Chiripa.
Traces of the remotest Andean civilisation can be found right here, in the municipality of Taraco, not far from Lake Titicaca.
The Chiripa culture appeared in the II millennium BCE and developed until the first century of the common era near Lake Sagrado. Chiripa was the first urban settlement in the region and preceded the more important and famous culture of Tihuanaco: the archaeological site features an artificial mound that occupies an area of between 50 and 60 square meters, with a central space surrounded by rectangular rooms.
A subterranean temple is still visible in the lower part of the mound. The existence of stone stelae carved in high relief representing zoomorphic figures, such as the snake, show that it was used as a ceremonial site.
Chiripa was the first Andean culture to practice the domestication of animals and build actual dwellings. An important feature of the Chiripa dwellings was the thermal insulation system hanks to the construction of double walls. Ceramics and metalworking also developed thanks to this ancient civilization.
Discover the extraordinary landscape that surrounds the archaeological site and the secrets of the Chiripa culture thanks to local guides: contact us and book your tour.
Additional Info
It is recommended to wear warm clothing for windy weather conditions, comfortable footprint shoes, and to bring a cap, a hat, sunglasses and a camera.
Suggested periods
- Autumn
- Spring
- Summer
- Weekend
Where
Municipality of Taraco, department of La Paz.
Transportation
By public transport
From El Alto, in the interprovincial terminal in the Río Seco area, minibuses leave for Taraco; the trip lasts approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. Once in the main square of Taraco, you can take taxis that take you to the archaeological site of Chiripa; the journey is approximately 10 minutes.
By private transport
From La Paz take National Route 1 towards Taraco; once in the main square take the dirt road next to the main court until you reach the archaeological site.
Visiting Rules
For your health and the health of local population, remember to comply with all biosecurity protocols and codes of conduct before and during your stay: wear a mask and carry hand sanitizer, plus a first aid kit, with sunscreen and medications for altitude sickness.
During your visit remember to protect the cultural and natural heritage of the region.
