Pisac: the terraces that wrap the mountain, the Intihuatana and the town market
Pisac is two things half an hour apart: the archaeological site up above (3,300 m), with terraces wrapping the mountain and a religious sector with the Intihuatana, and the town below (2,972 m), with its craft market. The Classic visits it at 9:30 am for an hour and a half (an hour at the site, half an hour in the town); the Express at 4:50 pm, at the end of the day, with the market already quiet. It is covered by the Tourist Ticket. The Express ending in Ollantaytambo does not reach Pisac.
It is visited tomorrow if you book today before 8 pm, Cusco time. Classic at 9:30 am, Express at 4:50 pm.—Is there space tomorrow?
Book for tomorrow: Express US$32 · Classic US$30 · is there space? · how to book
The terraces
The Intihuatana
The steps
The Inca cemetery
The market
Silversmith’s workshop
Which departure visits it, and when
| Departure | Time and duration | Entrance |
|---|---|---|
| Classic · retorno a Cusco | 9:30 am · 1 h at the site + 30 min in the town | Tourist Ticket |
| Classic · final en Ollantaytambo | 9:30 am · 1 h at the site + 30 min in the town | Tourist Ticket |
| Express · retorno a Cusco | 4:50 pm · 50 min at the site + 30 min in the town | Tourist Ticket |
| Express · final en Ollantaytambo | Not visited | — |
What you will see
The terracesFarming terraces following the curve of the mountain in bands, the most photographed in the valley, visible from the road up.
The religious sector and the IntihuatanaAt the top of the site, finely cut walls around the carved stone linked to solar observation. This is the stretch with steps: at 3,300 m, take it slowly.
The Inca cemeteryHundreds of niches in the cliff opposite, looted centuries ago, which the guide points out from the religious sector.
The town marketStalls of textiles, ceramics and silverwork around the square; on the Express you also visit a silversmith’s workshop. The artisans do not take cards.
Pisac at 9:30 am or at 4:50 pm
On the Classic it is the first long visit of the day, with a cool morning and the market in full swing: an hour and a half in total. On the Express it is the last stop, at 4:50 pm, with afternoon light on the terraces and the town already calm; 50 minutes at the site, 10 driving down and 25 at the market and the silversmith before the 40-minute ride back to Cusco. They are two different Pisacs; neither is worse.
Tips for the visit
- The site has steps and slopes: it is the most demanding walk of the tour. Closed shoes and water.
- The Tourist Ticket is checked at the entrance to the site; on the Classic it is the first checkpoint of the day.
- Small soles notes for the market; haggling politely is normal.
- On Sundays the market has more stalls and more visitors.
Bookings for tomorrow: non-refundable; you can move the date if there is space, and we reschedule or refund if we cancel because of the weather.