Short Cusco Hikes: The Trail of Inca Ruins from Tambomachay

Short Cusco Hikes: The Trail of Inca Ruins from Tambomachay

Puka Pukara Ruins, Cusco, PeruIf you’re looking a pleasant, short hike that will offer you pleasant landscapes, wonderful views of the city of Cusco, and 8 different archaeological sites within a 4-mile area, than we have a wonderful route for you.

To reach the starting point, the nearbyTambomachay (water temple), Cuzco, Peru ruins of Tambomachay, you can take a shared van from the Cusco terminal. Look for the vans heading towards Pisac, but let the driver know that you want to disembark at Tambomachay. You’ll be charged about 1.50 Peruvian soles (approximately US$0.40). You can also take a taxi from the main square to the ruins, but because of the steep incline you’ll be charged an expensive rate by local standards, about 20 Peruvian soles (approximately US$5.80)

Qenko Ruins, Cusco, PeruPuka Pukara Ruins, Cusco, PeruPuka Pukara Ruins, Cusco, Peru

From Tambomachay, you only need to follow the road in the direction of Cusco. Along the way, you’ll pass seven more archaeological sites, making this hike especially rich. After Tambomachay comes the former military control post of Puka Pukara, where you’ll enjoy stunning views of the Cusco Valley. Three miles later, you’ll reach the holy site of Q’enqo.

Qenko-Ruins-Cusco-Peru-4Qenko-Ruins-Cusco-Peru-1Qenko-Ruins-Cusco-Peru-2Qenko Ruins, Cusco Peru

Less than a mile further is the famous Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, which is quite a large site compared to the others. Some of the stones used to build the fortress are a large as a truck! After the Conquest, the Spanish borrowed stones from Sacsayhuaman to build Cusco’s cathedral. What’s left is still impressive, however, and if you have time to explore this archaeological site, it won’t be wasted.

man visiting sacsayhuaman fortress near Cusco, Peruman visiting sacsayhuaman fortress near Cusco, PeruTraditional woman sitting near Sacsayhuaman Fortress

From Sacsayhuaman, you can reach Cusco in just 20 minutes by following a steeply descending path that will leave you right in the city’s main square!

Just following the trail, you can make it to The main square, or Plaza de Armas, of CuscoCusco in an hour and a half (it’s 4½ miles), but if you’d like to make an afternoon or morning of it, you can explore each of the sites by purchasing a Tourist Ticket, the universal entrance ticket used for archaeological sites in and around the city of Cusco. You can buy this in advance, or simply purchase it at the first site you visit. We’ve written a separate post explaining more about Cusco’s Tourist Ticket for those who would like more information about how it works.

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