1-Day Trip to the Pumamarca Ruins

Our one-day tour of the Pumamarca ruins is designed to give our clients the best of this amazing site. It offers a treat for nature lovers and is sure to attract the interest of history buffs. We shall travel from the ancient town of Ollantaytambo towards the Pumamarca ruins. Our stops along the journey shall be:

• Pallata
• Pumamarca

We offer two different packages for our one-day tour of the Pumamarca ruins. The first option lets you hike uphill towards Pumamarca and ride back to Ollantaytambo via specially arranged transport. The second option, however, is a two-way hiking tour. A two-way hiking tour of the Pumamarca ruins will require you to cover only twelve kilometers on foot but it is a very steep trail although not very difficult. You can choose any of the two options per your convenience.

The hiking trip from Ollantaytambo to Pumamarca is a little more than a half-day trip but with a wholesome experience. We shall leave very early from Ollantaytambo if you opt for a two-way hiking trip. Our first stop along the route shall be at Pallate. This is basically the starting point of the gorgeous Pumamarca trail, twenty minutes ride in the north-east of Ollantaytambo. We shall begin our six kilometers hike from this point towards the glorious ruins of Pumamarca. You will find a few native Quechua settlements along the way. Glimpses of the colorful Andean lifestyle shall add more charm to the scenic landscape. You will also come across the Andean llamas and other animals which can be seen routinely grazing in the green highlands.

It should take us a little over two hours to reach the site of Pumamarca, perched at 3,533 meters above sea level. These hillside ruins overlook the two rivers of Patacancha and Yuracmayo. The views of Pumamarca are absolutely amazing. These ancient ruins comprise of twenty-four distinct structure including some classic Inca terraces and enclosures as well as aqueducts. It is believed that these structures are a mix of Inca and ancient Wari architecture. According to some archeologists, Pumamarca was a ceremonial holy site in the times of the Wari civilization. It was transformed into a formidable fortress when the Inca Empire rose to glory in the Peruvian Andes. This fortress is believed to have been built to watch over and secure the logistical routes and communication in the Sacred Valley when the vast Inca Empire was prospering. There is one more fact which adds to the historical significance of the Pumamarca ruins. It is one of the rare Inca strongholds where the conquering Spanish army was defeated. After exploring these impressive ruins, we shall head back to Ollantaytambo. It will take 25 minutes to reach Ollantaytambo if we ride back while a downhill hike should not take more two hours.

Pumamarka to Ollantaytambo 1 day trip:

$85 USD per person provided you are going in a group of 4 people.

Terms and conditions apply, and prices may vary accordingly in case you are travelling in more or less numbers, customized trips, trips including more sights, solo or with family.