Ancasmarca | Interesting High Energy Ruins Near Calca
The Ancasmarca Archaeological Park sprawls across a hillside and surprisingly, receives little to no tourists. Find it located between the villages of Calca and Lares. There are hundreds of these circular structures, which are believed to have been used as food storage units. These crumbling ruins are thought to be Qullqas (pronounced as Colcas), which is from the Quechua language. Around the Sacred Valley it’s possible to see many of these abandoned Colcas on the hillside, but Ancasmarca may be the most concentrated and visually appealing. The sheer area of these ruins is incredible and on top of that, this site feels almost more like an energy source. A high energetic frequency can be felt upon arrival.
Is it possible these round remains could have been used for something more than food storage? That’s what is awesome about visiting these ancient sites. We may never know for sure their true purpose, but it’s fun to explore and let our minds wander.
Ancasmarca (alternative spelling Ankasmarka) is worth a quick detour to experience and feel the high energy of the site. The site can be visited completely independently and has lots of fun itinerary add-ons.
Here’s the complete guide on how to independently visit the Ancasmarca Archaeological Park.
Table of Contents
- How to Reach Ancasmarca
- Visiting the Ancasmarca Archaeological Park
- Ways to Exit Ancasmarca & Itinerary Add-Ons
- Ancasmarca | Interesting High Energy Ruins Near Calca
How to Reach Ancasmarca
Ancasmarca is located in between the villages of Calca and Lares in Peru’s Sacred Valley. The village of Calca is a busy transportation hub, as it connects the Sacred Valley to the Lares Valley. Due to this fact, Calca has two buzzing public transportation stations.
Psst.. Exploring the Sacred Valley? Use the nearby village of Urubamba as a “home base.”
To reach Ancasmarca, take either a small car or a large collectivo. For the time being, all cars and collectivos leave from the main bus terminal; however, they normally depart from the smaller terminal located next to stadium.
Cars and collectivos depart frequently and the price depends on the driver. Tell the driver you would like to exit at Ancasmarca. Private cars may charge up to 10 PEN (S/), due to the fact that it’s less likely they will pick-up more passengers along the route. Collectivos should charge around 4-6 PEN. These prices are for a one-way trip and drop directly in front of the main orange entrance gate of Ancasmarca. This road is extremely windy and the drivers like to go fast, so take caution if you suffer from motion sickness. The car ride should take around a half an hour.
🚐 Small Bus Terminal | Address: Mariano de los Santos 388, Calca | One-Way Pubic Transportation Fare: S/ 4 – 10 ($1.15 – $2.75) | 30 minutes
Visiting the Ancasmarca Archaeological Park
Welcome to the little visited site of Ancasmarca! Enter through the main orange gate. Here, find a few little shops selling goods from the neighboring communities. These villages are known for their weaving skills, so expect to see beautifully handmade textiles. There is also a bathroom here.
It is FREE to enter the ruins.
After you pass through the little section of shops, the impressive site will come into view. There is a great map that shows two self-guided circuits to explore Ancasmarca. The higher route offers incredible viewpoints and two great miradors that boast views of the surrounding valley. The lower route gives you the opportunity to look up at these peculiar structures. There are white arrow markers that are scattered around the park.
The archaeological park is easy to explore and does not require any technical skills. An hour or two is a sufficient amount of time to explore the site, but to truly appreciate the energy of this space, pack a picnic and enjoy it in the park. There are no picnic tables onsite, but there are plenty of open spaces to sit in the grass.
✔ Travel Resources | 35+ Fascinating Inca Sites to Visit in Peru
For me, these ruins felt incredibly special, which had me question their usage as Qullqa units. Upon arrival, I could immediately hear a high pitched frequency and loss my sense of hearing for a few seconds.
Ancasmarca is an incredibly powerful place and is a hidden gem that is a highlight when visiting the Sacred Valley.
✈ Itinerary Planning | The Ultimate One Week Cusco & Sacred Valley Itinerary
Ways to Exit Ancasmarca & Itinerary Add-Ons
When ready to leave Ancasmarca, there are two great options on where to catch a collectivo. It’s possible to exit the park the same way you entered and wait for one there, or take the fairly simple hike down to the village of Totora.
To reach Totora, simply exit the ruins opposite the direction you entered. Walk along the ridge and head down the open hillside. It’s pretty straight forward because the village and the main road is always in sight. The path eventually meets up with a clear trail. Next, cross over a small footbridge, turn left, and continue to follow the river into the village. Once in the village, keep your eyes peeled to see local women weaving ponchos, belts, and other specialized artisanal products.
The downhill hike takes around 20 minutes and ends at a circle tienda that cars and collectivos pass frequently. From the village of Totora, transportation should be no more than S/ 5 to return to Calca.
Or, if you want to explore more of the area, take a car in the opposite direction to the small village of Lares.
🥾 Like this hike? Another fascinating high energy Inca site is Waqrapukara, a truly underrated gem in Peru. Or, visit the possible birthplace of the Incas at the little known site of Maukallacta.
Visit Lares
Lares is a village known for its awesome and natural thermal pools. The small pueblo is also getting more recognition for its alternative route to Machu Picchu. From Ancasmarca, the village of Lares is around 1 hour and 15 minutes, and the drive is absolutely stunning. There are mountains, alpacas, and waterfalls around every corner.
The termales are located on the outskirts of town and are some of the warmest springs I had the pleasure to take a dip in all of Peru.
Lares Termales | Cost: 12 PEN ($3.25 USD) | Open 24 hours | Camping & Basic Rooms available onsite
Lares is a fairly small village that offers a handful of restaurants near the main plaza. There are only a few guest houses in town. Collectivos and cars depart frequently to Calca from the Plaza de Armas. Last ride out is at 18:00.
✔ More Peru Travel Resource | 14 Incredible Hot Springs in Peru
For a different way to reach the Lares hot springs, try a trek through the Lares Valley. Many of the Lares treks pass by small villages that are known for their artisan weavers. If looking for a one day hike, try the beautiful one day Lares hike over the Huilquijasa Pass.
Ancasmarca | Interesting High Energy Ruins Near Calca
In short, the lovely site of Ancasmarca is a rarely visited, but interesting archaeological site that can easily be visited from the village of Calca in Peru’s Sacred Valley. Although it is believed that these structures were used as food storage units by the Incas, there is a peculiar and high energy frequency that surrounds these ruins. These circular remains are extremely unique and worth a detour.
It’s easy to reach this site via public transportation. Upon entrance, the ruins are easy to navigate. To make it a full day trip, add on the downhill hike to the tiny hamlet of Totora, or hop back on a bus to relax in the Lares hot springs. Either way, the ride through the valley is incredibly beautiful. Ancasmarca is a treasured landmark that few tourists get off the beaten path to experience.
Have you visited the Ancasmarca Archaeological Park? What did you think? Did you feel the high energy of this site? Let me know in the comments below!
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