Pisac Archaeological Park
Písac
An Inca hilltop fortress on the ridge at the entrance to the Sacred Valley. Giant curved terraces surround a Temple of the Sun and finely crafted stone walls, making it one of the valley's largest terrace complexes.
The Písac ruins are located at the entrance to the Sacred Valley, about 33 kilometers northeast of Cusco. They sit on a ridge about 600 meters above the town of Písac. During the Inca period, this was the military, religious and agricultural center that guarded the valley. The site is divided into several sectors. The Intihuatana Temple of the Sun on the hilltop has finely laid stone walls and a hitching post for the sun, showcasing the best of Inca stonework. The Q'allaqasa military sector and the Tianayuc residential sector are scattered along the ridge. The entire hillside is covered with huge curved terraces that are impressive in scale. Across the way, the cliff is pocked with holes, which mark one of South America's largest Inca burial complexes (much of it was looted long ago). To visit, take a taxi or tour bus to the upper entrance, then walk the ridge trail from top to bottom in 1.5–2 hours, passing through each sector, and continue down to the town. You can also walk up from town in about 2 hours. Admission is included in the Cusco tourist pass, and the site is open about 07:00–18:00. The mountain trails are steep and the elevation is about 3,000–3,400 meters, so pace yourself and bring plenty of water and sun protection. After coming down, you can browse the Písac market.
Opening hours
Site 7:00am–6:00pm; market about 9:00am–5:00pm
Nearby sights
- Pisac Market
- Awana Kancha
- Huchuy Qosqo
- Chinchero
- Maras Salt Mines
- Moray
- Ollantaytambo
- Machu Picchu Trains (Ollantaytambo Station)