Pisac guards the eastern entrance to the Sacred Valley, about an hour by road from Cusco. High above the modern town, an Inca settlement stretches along a mountain spur: sweeping agricultural terraces, a temple sector of finely cut stone, residential districts and, in the cliffs across a ravine, hundreds of looted Inca tombs.
In the town below, the craft market fills the main square and surrounding streets. It is at its liveliest on Sundays, though it now runs every day.
Top things to do at Pisac
Walk the ruins from top to bottom
Most visitors drive to the upper car park and follow the path through the terraces of Qantus Raqay to the temple sector, the Intihuatana, with some of the best Inca masonry outside Cusco. Allow one and a half to two hours.
Hike down to the town
A steep path continues from the temple sector down to Pisac itself in about an hour to an hour and a half — hard on the knees, wonderful for views.
Shop at the market
Textiles, ceramics, silver and alpaca goods, alongside stalls selling produce to local people. Bargain politely, and be aware that much “baby alpaca” is blended or synthetic.
How to get to Pisac
- From Cusco: about an hour by colectivo, taxi or tour.
- To the ruins: a taxi from town to the upper entrance takes about 20 minutes; walking up takes well over an hour.
- On a tour: Pisac is the first stop of most Sacred Valley day tours.
Insider tips
- Entry to the ruins is with the Cusco Boleto Turístico.
- There is little shade on the terraces; bring water and a hat.
- Pisac lies at about 2,970 m — lower than Cusco, and a comfortable place to start acclimatising.
Best tours & tickets for Pisac
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Pisac:
Day trip Cusco: Sacred Valley, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Salt Mines and Moray
The whole Sacred Valley in a day, with thousands of reviews. A good way to acclimatise and to see the valley’s main sites before the train. Entrance fees are usually extra — check the listing.
- Pisac and Ollantaytambo
- Moray terraces and Maras salt pans
- Lower altitude than Cusco
2-day tour From Cusco: 2-Day Trip to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
Day one tours the Sacred Valley and ends with the train to Aguas Calientes; day two is Machu Picchu, before returning to Cusco. The pace we recommend for most travellers — you sleep low, enter early and avoid a single exhausting day.
- Sacred Valley sights on day one
- Overnight in Aguas Calientes
- Machu Picchu with a guide on day two
