The Top 10 Best Things To Do In Pisac (Updated For 2024)

The Best Things To Do In Pisac

Let’s take a look at the very best things to see and do in Pisac, which should be on everyone’s itineraries when heading to this mountainous Andean village.

1. Walk Around Pisac’s Enchanting Streets

The narrow streets of Pisac are a photographer’s dream, where they maze in and out around town (similar to those found all around Cusco). Most also feature the original water drainage systems that the Inca once used, which form a carved-out line right down the middle. 

As soon as you reach Pisac, we suggest getting lost in the first street you see and enjoying wherever you end up! Just make sure to bring your phone ready, as you’ll also have an impressive backdrop of Andean peaks from most angles too.

Photo by George Alvarez

2. Hike Up To The Main Viewpoint

Also known as a mirador in Spanish, the viewpoint is the perfect place to get photos and enjoy a panoramic landscape of the surrounding Andean mountains above Pisac. The main one here is called the Mirador Taray, and is actually one that we will pass when heading in a local colectivo from Cusco (right before descending down into Pisac).

It sits just above the nearby village of Taray, with the hike taking just over an hour from Pisac town. Alternatively you can pay around 10-15 Soles for a mototaxi to drive you up here too, if you’re not feeling the walk up.

Photo by George Alvarez

3. Visit The Pisac Archaeological Ruins

By far the biggest highlight of all in Pisac has to be the nearby ancient ruins. Known as the Pisac Archaeological Park, they were an important stronghold for the Inca which gave an important vantage point over the town and surrounding valley. 

The site is best known for its green looping terraces which were used for growing crops (which is similar to those found along the Inca Trail), as well as various housing complexes. Pisac Ruins are located roughly 3.6km away from Pisac, and it will take around an hour and a half to hike up to the site. You can of course also hail a local colectivo or mototaxi in town too for just a few Soles.

4. Experience A San Pedro Ceremony

Also known as Wachuma in the indigenous Quechua language, San Pedro is a sacred plant that has been consumed for hundreds of years since the times of the Incas. It’s distilled into a beverage, and upon drinking is known for its hallucinogenic and spiritual effects. 

Ceremonies are usually conducted with a local shaman who knows the medicine well, and it’s important you take it under their supervision and guidance for your safety (especially if it’s your first time). All around Pisac you can find San Pedro retreats and experiences, and if you’re interested you can message us for our own local recommendation. 

Photo by George Alvarez

5. Head Up To The Parque De Las Papas

Peru is known for many things such as its Incan ruins, Amazon Jungle and native Alpacas. However it’s not so well-known that potatoes actually originated from these Andean highlands – and today we can find over 4000 varieties all over Peru! 

This is why it’s worth a visit to the Parque de las Papas to learn more about how locals cultivate this legendary crop, and also to take some really great photos too. The Parque de las Papas is located close to the Pisac Ruins, so it’s worth visiting both when up this side of the mountain.

6. Enjoy The Tranquillity Of Taray

Located just a few kilometers west of Pisac we can find the peaceful village of Taray, which is perfect for those who want a true Peruvian town experience. Here we can really wind down from the otherwise packed market streets of Pisac, and also enjoy the plaza with its beautiful white cathedral and bell tower. 

Taray is also a great place to base yourself if you’re looking for a San Pedro or Ayahuasca retreat, given how quiet and remote the area is. As well as taking a mototaxi from Pisac, you can also hike down to the town from the Taray Mirador which takes around 10 minutes.

Photo by George Alvarez

7. Go Hiking Around Laguna Kinsa Cocha

If you’re looking to visit a beautiful lake when in Pisac, then look no further than Kinsa Cocha. Translated as Three Lakes from Quechua, it’s a much more off the beaten path lake when compared with Lake Humantay and the Seven Lakes of Ausangate. 

For this reason getting here will be a bit more of a challenge, where you’ll need a mototaxi and also to hike a fair bit. However here you’ll be able to enjoy the peaceful trail around the lakes with little other tourists around, which has some breathtaking mountain views around the circuit.

8. Explore The Colorful Pisac Markets

One of the cultural highlights of a trip to the Cusco region is visiting local markets, and in Pisac we really are spoilt for choice. Walking around town we will see lots of colorful jumpers (locally known as chompas), alpaca garments, wooden handicrafts and more. 

We suggest heading to the Avenida Mariscal Castilla which runs just north of the main Plaza in town, which is full of local stores which are perfect for finding your very own bargain souvenirs. You can also visit the giant Nuevo Mercado Artesanal which is more of a classic indoor market experience with seemingly endless rows of stalls.

9. Gaze Up At The Nighttime Stars

Now we cover an activity that really requires no physical effort or extra cost – aside from putting on a coat and heading outdoors, that is. The town of Pisac and nearby valleys have very little pollution, and on a clear night you can see tons of bright stars (and even shooting stars too if you’re lucky!). 

It’s also more impressive with the surrounding mountains too, so don’t be surprised if you end up staying out for longer than you had planned. Just remember to bring a hat and a hot drink to keep you warm!

10. Visit The Nearby Ruins Of Huchuy Qosqo

Whilst the ruins of Pisac are incredible in their own right, we also can head to the more remote Huchuy Qosqo site which is hidden within the Andean mountains. Once a royal estate for the Inca elite, it’s located almost 2000ft above Cusco which makes it a great hike to help you get acclimated. 

To get here we’ll first need to catch a colectivo from Pisac to the town of Lamay, which takes around 20 minutes. From here we can then begin the day hike up to the ancient archaeological site. 

Here at AB Expeditions you can check out our all-inclusive tour to Huchuy Qosqo, which includes all transport, meals, homestays as well as a trip to Machu Picchu.

How To Get To Pisac From Cusco

It’s first important to know that Pisac is located around an hour away by driving from Cusco, roughly 34 km north of the major Andean city.

Walking here is really not ideal given the terrain and road quality (which are narrow and have many bends). This means that you’ll want to head to Pisac on wheels which is pretty simple to organize.

Heading With A Local Colectivo

This is by far the cheapest option, and is best for those who don’t mind a little more adventure on their way from Cusco to Pisac. 

You’ll first want to head to Calle Puputi, where you’ll see lots of minivans parked on the road. Simply say you want to go to Pisac, and you’ll pay 6 Soles for a one-way ride (at this time of writing). You’ll need to wait until the colectivo fills up, however this is quite quick given how many locals rely on this method of transport to get to and from the region.

Photo by George Alvarez

Going With A Taxi

The other main way of getting to Pisac is by hailing a taxi, or using a similar taxi app such as Uber. The benefit here of course is saved time, given you won’t need to get to a different location to catch the colectivo nor need to wait for it to fully fill before leaving. 

If coming directly from the airport in Cusco then you’ll pay around 70 Soles, and from the historic center it will be a similar price.

Important Things To Know About Pisac

Where To Stay In Pisac

The great thing about Pisac is that it’s a very small town, and you can easily walk from one side to the other in around 20 minutes.

This means that everything is easily accessible from anywhere, and also that all areas are pretty safe for tourists to stay in. Usually the main Plaza de Armas is a popular spot to be close to for the market and local celebrations, whilst the main bridge is another good focal point for access to colectivos to explore the surrounding region.

Within Pisac you’ll find plenty of hostels and posadas which vary between 20-60 Soles a night, which is great for those on a budget. We can also find numerous hotels too (usually around the center), which are more luxurious and have better on-site amenities.

The Best Time To Visit Pisac

Whilst Pisac is great to visit all-year, different months will have different climates.  

The dry season begins in May and lasts until October. It’s usually the most popular time for a visit as there’s hardly any rain (between 0.5-4 inches falling throughout each month), and also as travelers usually head to Cusco around this time too. Although the days seem cool with averages of 55°F, don’t let this fool you since the sun can be very intense here! In the evening temperatures will drop rapidly to between 37-42°F.

The wet season starts in late October and carries through until April. Whilst temperatures remain somewhat similar here, the evening lows won’t be as cold as they are during the dry season. Rainfall levels do noticeably increase however, and we can expect anywhere between 4.5-10 inches of rainfall falling in each of these months (best to bring a poncho out with you when going trekking).

Overview Of The Best Things To Do In Pisac

And that’s all for this guide on the best things to see and do in Pisac, Peru.

A true cultural highlight that you must visit when in Cusco, this Andean town is perfect for enjoying the more laidback Peruvian lifestyle. Within town you can browse many local chompas and try Andean dishes, and also enjoy memorable trips up to the Pisac Ruins and Parque de las Papas.

Do you want to explore the highlights of Pisac in just one day from Cusco? Here at AB Expeditions we operate an all-inclusive Pisac Tour, where we’ll visit the top sights as well as other highlights of the Sacred Valley such as the Maras Salt Ponds, Chinchero as well as the circular ruins of Moray.