EL FUERTE DE SAMAIPATA, BOLIVIA

Located about 2 hours West of the city of Santa Cruz, the site was first discovered by Spanish colonists who had settled in the area in the 16th century, and established the town of Samaipata. They called it "El Fuerte" because of its shape. But they abandoned Samaipata and left the area soon after, and the town and ruins were covered with vegetation until scholars took notice of it again in the late 1700's. Excavation began in the early 1900's.

This archeological site is believed to be originally of Mojocoyan origin, a culture that began sculpting the rock around 300 AD. The rock contains carvings of jaguars, cats, snakes and other animals as well as several deep pits and long grooves and channels presumably used to circulate and store water. At the top of the stone there is a circle of 12 seats with a set of 3 seats in the middle. Locals call this the "Coro de los Sacerdotes" or "Choir of Priests".

The Incas occupied the site during the 1300's as well adding several buildings, and carving out the hillsides with their traditional land terracing system of agriculture. There is also a series of niches they cut into the entire length of the right side of the rock. These would have had roofs at one time, as would the remains of several houses found about a hundred meters further on. These are all very similar to temple niches and houses found at Machu Picchu, the great Incan Ruins in Peru.

You can walk all the way around the rock, but do not cross the rope barriers. In the past visitors climbed up onto the rock but this was causing damage. To the right of the rock is a short path that leads to what appears to have been a small village with ruins of several small houses and huts.

You’ll also see some very, very deep holes here which may have been wells long ago. Today they are so deep, that if you throw a stone inside them, you will never hear it hit the bottom.

El Fuerte at Samaipata is located high atop a hill in the “sierra” (Andes foothills) and from here the view is spectacular. The highway to the fort is completely paved and offers visitors a fantastic panorama, making the Drive to Samaipata a colorful adventure in itself.

About 10 miles prior to arriving in the town of Samaipata you must take a dirt road that veers off to the left. It is very steep and you will have to drive in low gear. Once you reach the top, there is ample parking and a small visitor’s center where you pay admission to the site. View my Samaipata Photo Gallery

Contact Ruta Verde Bolivia for more information on this and many other amazing ecotours and tours in Bolivia. Owners Gijs and Maria Eugenia speak English and Dutch.

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