The Ancient Town Of Pisac: A Luxury Peru Travel Guide
Nestled between giant Andean mountains within the Sacred Valley region of Peru, Pisac is one of the most beautiful towns you can visit from Cusco.
Known for its lush fertile valleys, pre-Inca civilisations like the Calca once roamed this region long before the Inca arrived - who later founded Pisac just before the Spanish Conquest. It’s here where we can see the famous Pisac Ruins that sit right above the town, explore Pisac’s bustling markets, hike around nearby valleys and even learn about the incredible variety of potatoes grown here with a cultural workshop at the Parque de las Papas.
In this guide, we’ll explore Pisac, its best attractions, and what makes this town a must-visit when in Cusco. As well as exploring how luxury travellers can best enjoy their trip here, we’ll also answer your most frequent questions in our FAQ section.
The Fascinating History Of Pisac - And Why You Must Visit
Pisac has a complex and deep history, most notable for the presence of the ancient Inca civilization who once lived here from the mid 15th century. They famously carved out Pisac Ruins which are known for their sacred temples, beautiful agricultural terraces, as well as the large cemetery of Tankanamarka. We can easily visit these ruins with a private guided tour, learning both about the importance of this Inca site - as well as enjoying unmatchable views from on top of the Andean valley.
However, the region itself was inhabited long before the Inca - by cultures such as the Calcas and Ancasmarca. These Andean tribes flourished here for hundreds of years before the town of Pisac was constructed, and today we can witness notable ancient pottery and other artefacts found during excavations in museums such as the Museo Comunitario in Pisac.
Once the Spanish Empire arrived in the 16th Century, the town of Pisac was claimed - and today we can now see the visual clash of both novel Inca features along with colonial Spanish architecture. Many of its narrow streets still have ancient canal and aqueduct systems running through its centers, while the Plaza de Armas and surrounding flea markets are must-visits for both atmosphere and for finding cultural souvenirs to bring back home.
How To Enjoy Pisac As A Luxury Traveller
The best thing about visiting Pisac, is that unlike other destinations such as Machu Picchu and Urubamba (which are far from Cusco), this town is very close and easy to get to. For luxury travellers who want comfort and simplicity above all else, you can easily take a taxi from Cusco to Pisac in around an hour, or alternatively hire a private guide to take you on a half day or full day tour to show you all of Pisac’s very best sites.
Here at The Luxury Peru Travel Company, we specialise in crafting tailored Cusco tours exactly how travellers dream them to be. When booking your luxury Peru tour with us, you’ll benefit from personalized attention and flexible schedules - which is perfect for visits to destinations like Pisac that lie outside of Cusco in the Sacred Valley. You’ll also enjoy one of our expert tour guides showing you around, while teaching you all of the fascinating history and facts of this ancient town and surrounding region.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Pisac
Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about Pisac in Peru, as well as anything else important that you need to know.
Is Pisac Higher Than Cusco In Altitude?
Pisac’s total elevation of 2,972m (9,751ft) may seem high for the Sacred Valley region of Peru - however it’s still lower than Cusco, which sits up at a higher altitude of 3,399m (11,151ft). This makes Pisac worth heading to immediately after flying from Lima to Cusco, since the lower elevation will make acclimating to the Peruvian Andes much more gentle, with less chance of getting any mild symptoms of altitude sickness.
How Long Do You Need In Pisac?
Most tourists tend to visit Pisac in just one day from Cusco given most of the top sites are located in and around the town center - and also as there’s many other incredible things to be experiencing within Cusco itself - however you could even spend just a half day when heading with an expert private guide. For those who really want to relax and take their time getting to know Pisac, its archaeological Inca ruins and nearby valleys, then we would suggest spending between 2-3 days here.
How Much Does It Cost To Go To Pisac Ruins?
There are two different types of tickets (boletos turísticos) that tourists can buy to access Pisac Ruins, each with their own particular advantages. The partial ticket costs 70 Soles, is valid for two days, and also includes free access to other ruins like Sacsayhuamán and Tambomachay within that period. The full ticket costs 130 Soles, lasts 10 days and includes as many as 15 more incredible sites - such as Moray Ruins, the Maras Salt Mines and much more.
Overview Of The Ancient Town Of Pisac In Peru
One of the most charming and historic towns you can visit in the Sacred Valley of Peru, Pisac is a must-visit destination when staying in Cusco.
Here we can visit the mysterious Pisac Ruins which loom over the town, browse handmade goods in local ancient markets, as well as enjoy the Andean valley views from atop of the Taray Mirador. The best thing is that given Pisac is just an hour drive from Cusco, you can easily see all of the very best sights in just a day - while those looking for a more relaxing experience can stay in boutique hotels within the heart of Pisac’s town center.
Are you ready to uncover Pisac and many other incredible destinations that lie deep within the Sacred Valley? Here at the Luxury Peru Travel Company, we can tailor your Peru vacation to include visits to all of these memorable sights - all while enjoying comfortable private transport and the very best tour guide experiences.
