Uyo Uyo: Collagua & Inca Citadel in Colca
2025 Guide

🧭 Introduction to the Uyo Uyo archaeological site

Perched between 3,417 and 3,570 meters above sea level, Uyo Uyo (also known as Maucallacta) is one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in the Colca Canyon. Witness to the successive occupation of the Collagua (1300-1400) and then Inca (1400-1532) cultures, this 5-hectare complex is classified as Cultural Heritage of the Nation. As you walk through its terraces and stone alleys, you will discover a unique blend of architectures and a hydraulic system still in operation.

📜 History and organization of the Uyo Uyo citadel

The site is divided into four main sectors, each revealing a facet of pre-Hispanic life:

• Sectors I and II (urban areas): here you find the dwellings, with a clear distinction between Collagua constructions (circular or rectangular houses with colored walls) and Inca contributions (large ceremonial buildings called kallankas).
• Sector III (agricultural terraces): 26 levels of andenes still cultivated today, supported by an ingenious irrigation canal system drawing water from Nevado Mismi.
• Sector IV (cemetery): funerary area where archaeologists have unearthed burials and skulls showing intentional deformations, an identity marker of the Collaguas.

The site's occupation extends from the Collagua period to the colonial abandonment, after the arrival of the Spanish.

Visiting Uyo Uyo is a dive into the ingenuity of ancient Andean societies. Here are the points of interest not to be missed.

🏛️ The Uyo Uyo interpretation center

Before starting your exploration of the site, stop at the small interpretation center. You will see an exhibition of Andean tubers (quinoa, native potatoes) and explanatory panels on Collagua-Inca history. Comparative photographs with other Colca sites help to contextualize the importance of Uyo Uyo.

🏠 Collagua architecture: colorful houses and construction techniques

The Collaguas developed a very distinct architectural style:

• Varied shapes: about 90% of the buildings are rectangular, built in pirca (rough stones bound with clay). There are also some circular structures.
• Narrow and tall doors: the entrances measure about 0.6 m wide by 2.4 m high, a typical feature.
• Painted interior niches: inside the dwellings, wall niches still preserve traces of natural dyes (red, ochre, white).
• Thatched roofs: the covering was made of ichu, a local grass, with a characteristic double slope.

⚡ The Inca sector: kallankas and temple

The arrival of the Incas brought monumental innovations. The Inca sector is arguably the most impressive:

• Two kallankas: these large rectangular buildings served as ceremonial or administrative gathering places. Their walls are pierced by seven trapezoidal doors/windows, reminiscent of the Vitcos style (but more modest).
• A probable temple: a structure with typically Inca interior niches. Some researchers believe it was converted into a church during colonial times, evidence of the layering of cultures.

🌄 Viewpoints and remarkable features

As you explore the site, you will come across:

• A solar clock (intihuatana): a stone alignment probably used for astronomical observations.
• Natural viewpoints: offering spectacular views of the Ampato and Hualca Hualca volcanoes.
• The andenes: 26 agricultural terraces still cultivated, irrigated by a network of ancient canals.
• The aqueduct: part of the original hydraulic system, which brings water from Nevado Mismi, is still functional.

To make the most of your visit, here is all the practical information you need before you go.

🗺️ Access to the Uyo Uyo archaeological site from Arequipa

The site is located in the community of Yanque Urinsaya, between the Pampaqhawana and Quesea rivers. Two main options are available:

• By bus from Arequipa: go to the bus terminal and take a bus to Chivay (recommended companies: Nativa, 4M). The journey takes about 3 hours and costs between 10 and 15 soles. From Chivay, take a colectivo to Yanque (7.8 km, 12 minutes, about 2-3 soles). Then you can walk 2.5 km (45 minutes) or take a local taxi (20 minutes, about 10-15 soles).
• By private transport: expect between 350 and 500 soles for a one-way trip from Arequipa. This is the fastest and most comfortable option if you are in a group.

💰 Prices to visit Uyo Uyo

Entry to the site includes access to the interpretation center. The prices are very affordable:

• Adult: 5 soles
• Student (university or technical school): 2 soles (upon presentation of ID)
• Child under 18: 1 sol

⚠️ Prices are subject to change without notice – check on site.

🕒 Opening hours of the Uyo Uyo site

The site is accessible all year round from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. It is advisable to arrive early to avoid the midday heat and enjoy softer light for photos.

🧳 Tips for visiting Uyo Uyo (equipment, safety)

The altitude (over 3,500 m) and the steep terrain require some preparation:

• Best time: from April to November (dry season). Avoid the rainy season (December to March) as the path can be slippery.
• Recommended equipment: trekking shoes, hat or cap, sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen, warm jacket (evenings are cool), and at least 1.5 L of water per person.
• On site: you will find toilets at the interpretation center and a small parking area. There is no permanent official guide, but you can hire a local guide in Yanque.

🏞️ What to do at Uyo Uyo and in the surroundings?

In addition to the archaeological visit, several activities enhance your stay:

Details of routes from Arequipa

Route	Transport	Distance / Time
Arequipa → Chivay	Public bus	167 km (3h)
Chivay → Yanque	Colectivo	7.8 km (12 min)
Yanque → Uyo Uyo	On foot / taxi	2.5 km (45 min on foot)

Uyo Uyo is much more than a simple set of ruins: it is a journey through time into the heart of Colca's pre-Hispanic history. As you walk its paths, you will discover:

• A dual cultural influence: Collagua architecture, with its unique colors and shapes, blends with Inca contributions (kallankas, trapezoidal doors).
• A living hydraulic genius: the canals and agricultural terraces, centuries old, continue to irrigate crops, proof of the ingenuity of the ancients.
• A breathtaking natural setting: perched on the foothills of volcanoes, the site offers stunning panoramas of the snowy peaks and the valley.

Despite some controversial restorations (concrete joints, modern pathways), Uyo Uyo remains a must-see to understand the social and agricultural organization of pre-Columbian societies in southern Peru.

Tip: if you can, visit the site in the late afternoon. The golden light enhances the stones and terraces, and you may be lucky enough to spot vicuñas coming down to drink from the canals.