Before you go

Your trip to Pisac.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Pisac – Cusco Destination Cusco, the Vale Sagrado and Machu Picchu about 33 km from Cusco

How to get there

Aeropuerto Internacional Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Cusco · 33 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before buying. From Cusco it’s 33 km on the road down to the valley, about 45 minutes by car or van. Vans and buses leave Cusco throughout the day and stop near the Pisac bridge. Agencies include Pisac in one-day tours of the Valle Sagrado. The nearest airport is Cusco.

How many days

Half a day to a full day: morning at the archaeological site and afternoon at the market and in the village. Those who sleep in Pisac can go up to the ruins when they open and then continue to Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. It’s also a first night at a lower altitude than Cusco, to help adjust to the elevation.

When to go

The dry season usually runs from May to September, with clear skies and cold nights. From December to March it often rains in the afternoon and the trail at the ruins can become slippery. The market operates every day, and on Sundays it is usually larger, with a fair of products from the communities.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The village is explored on foot, and taxis drive up the road to the upper entrance of the archaeological site. Vans connect Pisac with Cusco and Urubamba throughout the day. A car with a driver is useful for those who want to combine Pisac, Moray, Maras and Ollantaytambo in the same day.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Pisac

Morning
Archaeological site
Take a taxi up to the upper entrance of the Parque Arqueológico de Pisac and walk through the Intihuatana sector and the terraces, with views over the valley.
Afternoon
Descent and market
Walk down the stairway trail to the village and stroll through the plaza market, with crafts, textiles and products from the communities.
Late afternoon
Village and bakery
Walk the streets of the village, with water channels running along the sidewalks, and try the empanadas from the clay ovens.
Evening
Night in the valley
Sleep in Pisac or continue to Urubamba or Ollantaytambo along the valley route.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is Pisac lower than Cusco?

Yes. The village is at about 2,970 meters, roughly 400 meters lower than Cusco. The archaeological site, high on the mountain, rises above 3,400 meters.

On which day is the Pisac market larger?

The market runs every day, but on Sundays it is usually larger, with a fair of products from the region’s communities. Tuesdays and Thursdays also have more stalls.

Can Pisac be done as a day trip from Cusco?

Yes. It’s 33 km, about 45 minutes by van. Many people visit Pisac on the one-day tour of the Valle Sagrado, together with Ollantaytambo and Chinchero.

Is Pisac included in the tourist ticket?

The Pisac archaeological site is part of the Cusco tourist ticket. Confirm the rules before purchasing.

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