Although it’s tempting to remain in the historic, cobblestoned centre of Cusco for days, promise not to forget that the nearby Sacred Valley has a lot to offer too. So drag yourself out of those adorable cafes and drive the scenic road from Cusco to Pisac for a day.
Nestled at the foot of verdant hills and along the sweeping Río Urubamba, the ancient town of Pisac offers a wonderful square and market, fascinating archaeological Inca terraces, lovely streets and a nice little animal sanctuary. And the spectacular views will instantly make you feel welcome in the Sacred Valley.
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The terraces and ruins of Pisac
So we know Pisac is an historical place, but little is known about Pisac’s precise function in Inca times. There’s not even a mention of it in Spanish chronicles. Perhaps the terraces were already even abandoned in that time.
One thing that we do know is that the quechuan ancestors for sure found out about the special conditions in here, such as the beneficial climate, fertile lands and the presence of the Wilkamayu River (“Sacred river” in Quechua). The terraces give a good idea of their clever farming skills. On top of that, the ruins are worth visiting alone, if only for the views on the surrounding area.
Now, there are two ways to enter the ruins – from the top and from the bottom -. At both sides you need to buy a ticket. I’d recommend you to avoid a strenuous hike and take a taxi ($8,- USD) to the main entrance of Qantus Raccay. From their you can work your way down to the town below. I think doing it the other way round really is a tough exercise. But hey, perhaps you want to prepare for the Inca trail or Salkantay trekking.
As you enter the path, first you’ll encounter the agricultural zones of the Inca. Corn was grown on the lower terraces, potatoes in the middle and quinoa grain on top. Next comes the huge burial mountain with some 3,500 tombs – located hierarchal with the homes of the nobility nearest heaven and the others positioned below. As you walk along you’ll see the Intihuatana – the astronomical clock- and lastly the lower terraces at Andenes Acchapata before reaching the town of Pisac again. Exploring the area like this (with many breaks in between for water sips and the views) took us some 2 hours in total.
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Souvenir shopping at the main square Pisa market
Done with the hiking? Go on a souvenir hunt!
Expect generally the same items for sale as in the rest of the region, such wooden baskets, toys, sweets and everything alpaca. Still, if you’re in Pisac, the market is worth a visit and prices are a little bit cheaper too compared to Cusco.
Throughout the weekends it’s busier than usual, with a ‘regional’ market for local produce and livestock – although small compared to the San Pedro market in Cusco.
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Wandering around the little streets
Don’t rush from site to site, but allow yourself a little time in between to soak up the atmosphere of the quaint, cobblestone street of the village. They are well worth the stroll.
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ChocoMuseo
Chocolate is always a good idea; said Audrey Hepburn once, translated loosely :). Albeit more of a shop than a museum, the ChocoMuseo shack makes a great relaxing ‘down time’ – without any hard sell behind the counter – from all the sightseeing in between. And the tasting will make you happy for sure.
Check the schedule in advance if you want to do a chocolate workshop.
This family run and private organisation is dedicated to rescuing and looking after animals which have been mistreated by people (caught in the wild or held as pets) or were found injured in the wild.
Don’t expect a large zoo over here, but try to visit the place with an open mind. It’s impressive enough that this Peruvian family is taking care of all of these animals and trying to rehabilitate the ones they can, without any help from the government, at all.
Amazingly enough, you’re able to be in very close proximity to the animals. They even allow you for example to touch the llamas (one of them has blue eyes!), vicuña and alpacas for example (although I wonder whether the animals really like that in return..). Apart from that they have a very cool condor rehab exhibit.
While walking through it the condors basically fly all the way over your head. Though I’ve seen them at several occasions by now, it was extremely impressive to be in the same enclose as these magnificent birds.
(Admission is $5,- per person. Count 1 to 1,5 hour for a visit which will give you plenty of time to walk around the area a couple of times)
Here’s where to find the spots! ↓
