Museo Santuarios Andinos 🇵🇪

When you explore Arequipa, Peru, a visit to the Andean Sanctuaries Museum (Museo Santuarios Andinos) offers a deeply moving encounter with high-altitude Inca history. Founded in 1996 to preserve artifacts recovered from the Santuarios de Altura del Sur Andino project—initiated in 1980 by archaeologists José Chavéz and Johan Reinhard—this extraordinary site is recognized as a National Cultural Heritage Site. Inside, you will encounter remarkable frozen history, most notably the Juanita mummy, discovered during a 1995 expedition on the Ampato volcano.

You will also see the Sarita mummy from the Sara Sara volcano, the Urpicha mummy, and archaeological remains associated with human sacrifices on the Misti volcano. Beyond these solemn discoveries, you can admire intricate sacred items once offered to the gods. Browse vibrant polychromatic ceramic pieces, Inca aryballus vessels, ancient utensils, wooden qirus, and statuettes crafted from gold, silver, and copper.

Marvel at woven dolls representing people, specialized woven bags used by indigenous Peruvians to gather coca leaves, and Spondylus shells brought all the way from the coast to the mountain massif by Inca priests. Complete with historic photographs of South American camelids, this museum provides an authentic, honest look at ancient Andean traditions.

What to see at Museo Santuarios Andinos

• See the world-famous Juanita mummy, discovered on the Ampato volcano in 1995.
• Explore preserved Sarita and Urpicha mummies alongside sacrificial remains from the Misti volcano.
• View sacred Inca offerings, including gold, silver, and copper statuettes plus wooden qirus.
• Discover Spondylus shells transported from Peru's coast to the mountain massif by Inca priests.
• Admire ancient woven dolls, coca leaf collection bags, and vibrant polychromatic ceramics.

Visiting tips

Take your time examining the delicate woven textiles and intricate offerings on display across this National Cultural Heritage Site.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Museo Santuarios Andinos is easy to reach on Arequipa’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa and Santa Catalina Monastery. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Arequipa travel guide.