Cusco, the ancient capital of the Tahuantinsuyu, continues to surprise us. A recent archaeological study has confirmed the existence of an underground network of Inca tunnels—known as chincanas—that connect some of the most sacred and iconic sites in the Andean world: Coricancha (Temple of the Sun), Sacsayhuamán, Muyucmarca, and Callispuquio.

The identified main road is 1,750 meters long, built with finely carved stone walls and roofs supported by beams, a stunning testament to Inca engineering and urban planning. This network not only served logistical purposes but also ceremonial and strategic ones, according to researchers Jorge Calero Flores and Mildred Fernández Palomino, directors of the Chincana-Sacsayhuamán Project.

🔍 Technology to rediscover the past

Thanks to modern techniques such as ground-penetrating radar and acoustic surveying, the existence of secondary branches has been confirmed. One of the most intriguing connects the Rodadero sector of Sacsayhuamán, passes through the Temple of San Cristóbal, and reaches the Temple of Santo Domingo, built on the legendary Coricancha.

The most surprising thing is that much of this network remained hidden for centuries, buried beneath colonial streets and buildings. 16th-century chroniclers already spoke of secret tunnels, but for the first time, scientific evidence validates this oral history.

🌄 Beyond the myth

Far from being a local legend, the chincanas are now consolidated as one of the most mysterious and fascinating works of the Inca civilization. The Ministry of Culture has announced that a phase of archaeological exploration and conservation of these underground routes will begin in 2025.

✨ What if you too walked the sacred paths of the Tahuantinsuyo?

This discovery reinforces something we at My Cusco Trip feel deeply: Cusco is not just a destination, it's a living legacy. Every stone, every path holds a secret waiting to be discovered.

📍 If you're interested in exploring these sacred sites from an authentic, spiritual, and cultural perspective, explore our tours:



🔗 See related experiences in Cusco and Sacsayhuaman