Pisac Ruins and Pisac Market: A Day Trip from Cusco
Pisac is a small town in the Peruvian Sacred Valley, famous for the market and Pisac Ruins towering atop the hill. Read our Pisac travel guide, including tips on exploring the Inca ruins, how to get from Cusco to Pisac; we share our experience if it's better to travel independently or with a tour, cost of travel, entrance fee, and how to enjoy this top day trip from Cusco.
Pisac Ruins, perched atop a mountain overlooking the valley and Pisac town below, has its rightful place on our list of the best ruins and day trips we've done from Cusco.
Sacred Valley and overall, the area around Cusco is famous for Inca Ruins, and admittedly, after some time, a traveler can get a bit overwhelmed.
But no matter if you've just arrived in Peru or you've already seen a countless number of better or worse preserved ruins, you should know that Pisac Ruins is definitely worth your time.
For many, ourselves included was this trip even one of the highlights of traveling in this South American country.
Pisac town is a gateway to the Sacred Valley, and although we still can only guess what the primary purpose of building the ancient Incan city was (it probably served as protection for Cusco and the Sacred Valley, or it was a significant trading point), nowadays we can be grateful that Inca people built one of the most picturesque sites in even more beautiful settings.
But frankly, when we were climbing up the hill to the ruins via stone terraces and overlooked the area, we thought they could've built the citadel almost anywhere. That's how beautiful this part of Peru is.
After Machu Picchu, without exaggerating, Pisac Ruins was one of the most photogenic places we've visited in Peru.
The Pisac hike that leads to the archaeological site combined with exploring the traditional market town made this day trip from Cusco even more special.
In the past few years, Pisac town and its market had become a must-visit place, and, according to us, the town's center lost a bit of its charm.
But arrive any day except the main market day, and you will easily be transferred back in time. On the other hand, the visit to Pisac Ruins is perfect anytime.
As we were not much into shopping on our year-long trip around South America, the main attraction we wanted to see in Pisac was the Inca ruins scattered across the hill where we could admire how advanced Incas were in construction and agriculture.
In this travel guide, we want to share our experience so that you can plan your trip to Pisac from Cusco better.
We've put together all alternatives on how to get to the ruins, but this post also includes tips on visiting Pisac town, when to visit, what to pack, or where to stay.
HOW TO GET TO PISAC FROM CUSCO AND BACK
When we checked-in in our hostel in Cusco, the owner asked us what we plan to do during our stay, and when we outlined our plans, saying we are not sure we can make it to Pisac as our Cusco itinerary was pretty packed, he told us that we simply couldn't miss out the market and ruins.
So from this time we started to look for all the information about Pisac and how to get there and back on a day trip from Cusco.
Apparently, there are at the moment three options on how to get from Cusco to Pisac: you can travel with a tour, independently by colectivo or by private transport.
We opted for the cheapest way to reach the town by colectivo as traveling on own is our preferred travel style, but here we want to share with you more about every option, so you can choose the best alternative that suits the best your plans and budget.
By the way, on the way back to Cusco, you can stop at Sacsayhuaman Ruins (there are also three smaller ruins along the way). After the self-guided tour, leave the complex through the south gate and get back to the city center on foot.
TOUR
There are plenty of travel companies in Cusco offering a trip to Pisac ruins and the Pisac market, but because the town is so close and the program would not last the whole day, the itinerary usually combines other sights in the Sacred Valley as well.
This well-rated Sacred Valley Day Tour includes Pisac ruins, the market, and other attractions in the valley.
Exploring the best sites the Sacred Valley has to offer even if you have one day is an unforgettable experience, so in case you're pressed for time and want to see more than Pisac Ruins, booking a tour is undoubtedly a great alternative.
You can book the tour online in advance, for example, via the link we've shared above, or on the spot.
Every single travel agency has Sacred Valley on the itinerary, and we are quite confident you should be able to find a place available last minute, even in the high season.
Always learn about conditions; entrance fee is often not included in the tour price.
PRIVATE TRANSPORT
Getting to Pisac by public transport is so straightforward and easy, that to be honest, we don't see a single reason why you should pay numerous times more for private transportation.
However, we understand some travelers prefer higher comfort and freedom - in that case, walk around the city center, and ask drivers for the price - always bargain, do not take the first price they offer you.
Do not forget to ask about the waiting time; hiring two different drivers, one for the way to Pisac and one for the return journey, would be more expensive.
VAN (COLECTIVO)
Getting from Cusco to Pisac town independently is super-easy. When possible, we always prefer to travel alone, so we had no reason not to follow our habits here in Cusco.
Colectivo is a minivan without a fixed schedule that leaves when full, but the good thing here is that many locals travel between Cusco and Pisac daily, so you won't have to wait long for the van to fill up.
Colectivos leave from Puputi Street (the street is within walking distance from the city center) frequently, and you should not pay more than S/.5.
The ride takes approximately 45 minutes and is quite pleasant for Peruvian standards.
The van stops either at the bridge outside Pisac town on the intersection to ruins or in the town near the church, so you can decide where you want to get off (these places are really close to each other, so it is fine when you miss the stop).
If you're going to hike to Pisac ruins, it is better to get off closer to the town's center and market, but if you want to see the ruins quickly without hiking, get off at the bridge, where you need to take a taxi.
To get back from Pisac to Cusco, you can either flag down any colectivo on the Pisac's main street or wait at the bridge on the opposite side of the road.
HOW TO GET FROM PISAC TOWN TO PISAC RUINS
We've already outlined that there are two ways how an independent traveler can get from Pisac town to Pisac Ruins.
If you travel on tour or by private transport, the driver will drop you off in front of the entrance gate, so you do not have to deal with this 'problem'.
The first option is easy but quite expensive.
Once the colectivo from Cusco drops you off in Pisac at the intersection at the bridge, you need to arrange a taxi (taxi drivers usually wait there), but one ride costs around S/.25, which is a lot considering the short distance.
If you think hiking uphill to the ruins would have been too challenging for you, it is possible to take a taxi to the gate and then walk downhill to the town, so you will at least save money for one ride, plus you will see the whole site.
We recommend you to walk at least one way if you can because the ruins are scattered along the way, and if you arrive and leave by car, you will most likely see only a part of it.
The other option on how to visit Pisac ruins is hiking, and unsurprisingly, this is what we did, so we would like to share our experience below in detail.
PISAC RUINS HIKE FROM PISAC TOWN
Hike to the Pisac ruins is not super-hard, but don't expect a leisure stroll either. We promise you one thing, though.
If you decide on hiking to Pisac ruins, you will be rewarded by stunning vistas, and you will see more parts of the site than the average visitors who usually wander around the upper part of the ruins.
We must admit that despite Pisac ruins are such a famous site near Cusco; we were quite surprised that the trail was almost empty.
To get to the trailhead, we walked through the market and continued via Intihuatana street uphill, where we had to buy Boleto Turistico in the office on the left-hand side (we purchased the multi-day option as we wanted to see more places in Sacred Valley).
From here, we followed the narrow but well-signposted path via terraces uphill.
After some time, we started to discover what was left from Pisac fortress, which was once scattered all over the hill, and thank to its volume could have been seen from a distance. In general, the path climbs up all the way, but there's no need to rush.
Enjoy terraces and rural countryside views.
Although the altitude and profile of the trek might slow you down, the terrain is not rugged, and every traveler, in our opinion, should be able to make it to the top. The only thing you need to do is to set a comfortable pace.
It took us about two hours until we reached the central part of the ruins, where we met other tourists who decided to travel on tour or by taxi.
To get back to Pisac, we walked the same way back, now the path led all the way downhill, so it took us only about an hour to reach Pisac town.
The hike to the ruins is four kilometers long and leads mostly uphill, but we walked slowly, took plenty of photos, and wandered around smaller ruins we entered during the hike, so it did not feel somehow difficult.
And what can you expect from visiting Pisac Ruins? The site is quite large, so there's a lot to see.
We recommend you to check out the map by the entrance, where you can see all important Inca buildings, but it is possible to wander around aimlessly and admire what was left from a place that was once a thriving Inca city.
The visit to Pisac Ruins also would not be complete without admiring the terraces and hills towering on the other side of the valley.
How much time do you need for a visit?
Although there's no correct answer as it is highly individual, we would say you should allocate at least two to three hours for the site. This is, of course, without the time for hiking.
ALTITUDE
Pisac town is lower than Cusco and sits at an altitude of 2970 meters above sea level. The Pisac Ruins are 3350 meters above sea level, so the overall elevation gain, from town to ruins, is approximately 400 m.
Either way, this walk is good training if you plan on doing other hikes in Peru at the altitude, such as a Humantay Lake or Rainbow Mountain.
For us, it was also a perfect preparation for Inca Trail and Salkantay Trek we did a few day days later.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Make sure your travel insurance covers hiking at high altitudes.
Travel smarter and safer!
ENTRANCE FEE TO PISAC RUINS
When you plan on visiting sights around Cusco, especially in the Sacred Valley, you will soon learn a new term, Boleto Turistico.
You must generally buy this ticket, but you can choose whether you purchase the 10-day Boleto Turistico, including 16 sites around Cusco for S/.130, or a less expensive variant.
If you want to see only a few places, including Pisac, you can buy a two-day ticket for S/.70, which allows you to see three other ruins, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, and Moray.
There's a heated debate whether it is worth it to buy these overpriced tickets.
Even though we are budget travelers, we did not want to miss the Sacred Valley's best sites, so we did not see another way around it than investing in Boleto Turistico.
The only downside is there's no single ticket to Pisac, but we believe you'll use Boleto Turistico to its full potential.
PISAC TOWN AND MARKET
Except for the ruins, there is another reason why Pisac has its rightful place on almost every Peru itinerary.
The traditional market is where people from Pisac, Cusco, and communities nearby sell handmade crafts, textiles, and clothes.
If you can, try to visit the Pisac market on Sunday, when most of the vendors have their stalls open, but there are plenty of shopping opportunities even during other days.
To be honest, we found the Pisac market too touristy, but it was still nice to see what local people make and sell. Truth to be told, the goods were not somehow different from other markets in the area.
When you want to buy something, try to bargain a bit because the price first offered is usually only a test price if anyone would be willing to pay that much.
The visit to the market is very lively, but should not take you more than an hour, even less if it is not the official market day.
Of course, if you plan on buying something, it is a different story, and you should instead take your time to ensure the product you are about to purchase is of the desired quality.
Pisac town has a pretty town center with a stone-built church, but there is not much to do except for walking a couple of cobblestoned streets.
WHERE TO STAY IN PISAC
Nowadays, the number of accommodation options in Pisac is growing.
Why? Many people found out that staying in this small market town is more relaxed and authentic than in Cusco.
You can get from Pisac to Cusco by regular colectivos, plus you can explore from here the Sacred Valley as well. Another advantage is that prices are lower here than in Cusco.
We've handpicked the three best hotels and hostels in Pisac for every budget.
Budget | Hospedaje Familiar Kitamayu Pisac - A pretty house hides one of the best budget accommodations we've seen in the area. Clean rooms, wifi, great location, and very reasonable price make this hostel one of the best budget options in the area.
Mid-range | Pisac Inca Guesthouse - Chilled out place surrounded by greenery and hills you can watch from the garden, clean rooms, and great breakfast, that's all for a reasonable price.
Luxury | Allpawasi Pisac Lodge - Fantastic authentic accommodation features a garden and beautifully-appointed rooms.
Of course, it is possible to stay in Cusco and visit the town only on a day trip.
WHEN TO GO
The climate in Pisac is similar to the climate in Cusco and Sacred Valley.
You can experience here two seasons - wet, from November to April when it rains more, but temperatures are higher, and the dry season from May to October when you can mostly experience clear blue skies, but it can be a bit chilly.
We traveled in the region at the turn of October and November, and mornings were usually sunny while afternoons cloudy.
WHAT TO PACK
It is good to realize that conditions can change quickly, so even for a day trip, pack extra layers. Here are the essentials we packed.
Make sure your backpack fits extra clothes, and water, and snacks for the whole day. It is worth investing in a daypack with a back support and waist strap.
The higher you climb, the colder it gets, so pack a fleece jacket, t-shirt with long sleeves if you need to change into dry clothes.
Packing layers is a must-do when traveling outside Cusco for a day as you never know how the weather turns out, and even when it's a hot day, the cold winds can blow up there.
To be protected against rain and wind, pack a good-quality rain jacket that will keep you warm when you stop for a break.
Sun is powerful higher you go, do not forget a quality sunscreen. We used sunscreen with 50+ or 70+ SPF, and it worked well.
Last but not least, it is not possible to drink tap water in Peru, so to keep your plastic waste to a minimum, buy either a reusable water bottle and refill it from large barrels or invest in more environmentally friendly gadgets such as SteriPen or water bottle with integrated filter.
Do not forget that staying hydrated helps lower altitude sickness symptoms!
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
