Hiking the Ruins at Pisac, Peru
Trekking the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Prep for the Inca Trail
May 5, 2009
No trip to the Sacred Valley of the Incas would be complete without a stop in Pisac. Located about an hour from the central hub of Cusco, Pisac can be reached easily by taxi, or by death-defying bus ride. Anyone who has trouble with heights should avoid looking out the windows while winding through the mountains.
Why Visit Pisac
Pisac is well known for its colourful Sunday market, and to a slightly lesser extent, the Tuesday and Thursday markets. More importantly though, Pisac has some of the most impressive ruins in this part of Peru. Anyone planning on hiking the Inca trail should consider hiking the ruins at Pisac in preparation.
Getting to the Ruins at Pisac
While it is possible to hike up to the ruins, taking a taxi is the better option in order to save energy. Hiking up will take at least an hour and those unaccustomed to the high altitude may find themselves moving quite slowly. Better to take a taxi up and walk down. Hiking the ruins is fairly intense and it's easy to get burnt out before finishing. If driving both ways one can expect the trip to last at least two hours. If driving up and walking down it will take closer to five. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water as much of the trek is in direct sunlight, and there’s no water available.
If going by car, hikers will be dropped off at the back entrance and hike the ruins in reverse. Keep this in mind when following a map or guidebook. Everything will be backwards. When finished hikers will be led directly back into the market.
Start Hiking the Ruins Early in the Day
Don’t start too late in the day. For those interested in checking out the market (which is definitely worthwhile), it should be done after hiking. The last thing anyone wants is to be wandering the ruins as the sun goes down.
Tour the Ruins Slowly and Take Your Time
Hiking in high altitudes is a challenging experience, and anyone who is new to it may be surprised at the difficulty. Expect shortness of breath, slow movements, and possibly headaches. Even the most fit people can have adverse reactions to the altitude, so heed any advice suggested by travel doctors, and don’t overdo it. This hike is a good indication of what to expect when hiking the Inca Trail.
The Ruins at Pisac
The ruins are divided into four separate groups linked by rocky, stone paths. Visitors who choose to do the research before going, will learn much about Inca culture and history as they explore the remains of the fortress, but even for those who don’t, the experience will be both rich and rewarding. Look closely at the remains of the structures and notice that no mortar was used between the stones. As with all of the ruins in the Sacred Valley, the masonry is simply astounding. And don’t forget to stop every few minutes and take a look at the stunning surrounding vistas.
Most people stop in Pisac as part of a whirlwind day trip through the Sacred Valley that includes Chinchero and Ollantaytambo, but to do this is to sell all three places short. It is easy and totally worthwhile to devote an entire day to this shining example of Peruvian history and culture.
