Bolivia: Fuerte de Samaipata

Peru has Machu Picchu and Bolivia has Fuerte de Samaipata (also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Despite its name, it is not a military fort, but rather a unique pre-Columbian ceremonial and residential complex, considered one of the most outstanding rock carvings in the world. The centerpiece is a huge red sandstone hill (over 200m long) completely sculpted with: two parallel channels running the length of the rock with many niches, seats, and geometric shapes (triangles, rectangles, circles) as well as zoomorphic carvings (pumas, jaguars, snakes, birds). Archaeologists believe it was a major religious and astronomical ceremonial center. While it’s not in a scale and grandeur of Machu Picchu, it’s still quite impressive and also offers great 360 degree panoramic views. Oh, there are also many orchids here.