Perolniyoc | HIke to a Whimsical Waterfall & Hidden Inca Site

The Perolniyoc Waterfall, or Catarata Perolniyoc is tucked away in Peru’s magical Sacred Valley. The waterfall itself is beautiful and worth the effort, but there are some Inca ruins en-route and on top of the falls that make this adventure trek all the better.

This all day excursion passes by the fascinating site of Ñaupa Iglesia, the small village of Soqma, the beautiful Perolniyoc Waterfall, and continues up to the Raqaypata Archaeological Park. These Inca ruins actually sit on top of the cliffs that house this waterfall. The trek up to the ruins will leave you breathless, as they sit just shy of 12,000 ft with an ascent of over 3,350 ft. Whew!

This hidden gem hike in the Sacred Valley of Peru can be hiked anytime of the year. Be prepared for a long, but picturesque day. Between the whimsical Perolniyoc Waterfall and the intriguing Inca ruins of Raqaypata, this trek is a must while hiking and exploring the Sacred Valley.

Wake up early, lace up your hiking shoes, and pack a picnic. Here’s how to hike and discover the amazing sites near Perolniyoc Waterfall.

Table of Contents

Disclosure: This is part of my Hikes & Adventures series, which means these treks can be strenuous and challenging. These are my experiences and I am not an expert. Please have all the proper equipment, verify the weather conditions, use professional resources, do your own research, be mindful of constantly changing trail conditions, and take into consideration your own physical abilities and/or limitations. These guides are for entertainment purposes only. Please see my full disclosure for more information here.

• Map & Overview of Perolniyoc Waterfall Hike
• Pachar | The Gateway to Perolniyoc & Raqaypata
• Don’t Skip Ñaupa Iglesia
• Soqma Trailhead – Perolniyoc Waterfall – Raqaypata
• Raqaypata Archaeological Park & Hiking Options
• Total Cost of Perolniyoc Waterfall Hike
• Final Thoughts | Perolniyoc & Raqaypata Day Trip

Map & Overview Perolniyoc Waterfall Hike

This map only shows the the trail from Soqma to Raqaypata; however it’s quite easy to walk from Pachar.

Important | If hiking from Pachar add on at least three miles. The total one-way mileage will top off around 7.5 miles

⁉️ If downloading the map, please verify that the map is correct and follows the waypoints. Oftentimes, there are daily updates to the site, map platforms, and other external issues that may cause a bug in downloading. Be mindful that this map is solely for entertainment purposes. Always hike responsibly and respect the mountains by following a no-trace philosophy, avoid hiking alone, be conscious of the weather and personal limitations, and do not stray from the visible trail.

Perolniyoc Waterfall Hike Logistics

• Out & Back Trail
  • The small village of Soqma is the official trailhead
• Difficulty: Moderate, the ascent to the ruins are steep
• Soqma Trailhead – Raqaypata (One-Way Distance): 4.25 miles
• Village of Pachar – Raqaypata (Total One-Way Distance): just under 7.5 miles
• Ascent: Almost 3,350 ft
• Excursion Duration: This hike will take all day
  • For intrepid hikers, there’s an option to add-on two different multi-day treks
• Leave early, this will be a long day trip without much shade coverage
• This hike can be completed anytime of the year
  • During rainy season the trails can be muddy and slick
• Day Hiking Essentials
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Good Hiking shoes with ankle support
  • Water Filter
  • Off-line Map
  • Snacks & Picnic
  • Trekking Poles to help with the ascent & muddy trails

➯ Hey… don’t forget your Travel Insurance! I love SafetyWing

Perolniyoc Hike | Day Trip Tips

For timing logistics, the Perolniyoc Waterfall hike is best done as a day trip for travelers who are already staying in the Sacred Valley. The nearby village of Urubamba makes the perfect base to explore all the highlights of the Sacred Valley.

Urubamba is a truly authentic village that is nestled in the center of the valley and is well connected with two bus terminals and a wide range of collectivos. It also has frequent departures to and from the Imperial City of Cusco. Besides all the public transportation options, there are multiple taxis that can zip you to the trailhead and other worthwhile sites. If coming from Cusco, a taxi to the trailhead will be essential.

Make sure to always negotiate the price before entering a taxi.

Alternatively, those looking for more solitude and quiet nights will love staying in Ollantaytambo Peru just down the road.

Since the Raqaypata Archaeologcial Park sits at almost 12,000 feet, proper acclimation is essential. To help alleviate altitude sickness, drink coca tea and carry some extra coca leaves to chew on. The leaves are sacred to the Indigenous people of the area and make great gifts for the locals and as offering to Pacamama, or Mother Earth.

Along the route to the Perolniyoc Waterfall there is little shade coverage. Leave early to ensure enough time to explore the sites and to avoid the intense heat of the Andes. The only sections with shade coverage is near the Perolniyoc Waterfall, where the climate is green and lush. Carry enough water and a water filter to replenish water supplies.

The Perolniyoc Waterfall hike can be done anytime of the year. Remember, that Peru has two very distinct seasons, rainy (Nov – April ) and dry (May – October). During the rainy season, the paths can be muddy and slick. During the dry season, fresh water can be more scarce and harder to come by.

Cusco Trip Planning | The Ultimate Cusco & Sacred Valley Itinerary for One Week | 5 Unique Cusco Itineraries | Where to Eat in Cusco

Pachar | The Gateway to Perolniyoc & Raqaypata

The hike to the Perolniyoc Waterfall can be reached from the tiny village of Pachar in the Sacred Valley. Collectivos make frequent stops here on the way to Ollantaytambo.

🚐 Urubamba – Pachar  | Cost: 2 PEN (50¢ USD) | Duration: 25 minutes 

 🚐 Ollantaytambo – Pachar | Cost: 1 PEN (25¢ USD) | Duration: 5 minutes

The official stop is right outside the popular Cerveceria del Valle Sagrado. I highly suggest walking from Pachar, otherwise you will miss another hidden gem in the valley, Ñaupa Iglesia.

Reminder | If walking from Pachar, plan on adding an extra 3 miles one-way

Upon arrival in Pachar, cross over the bridge that spans the Urubamba River and take a right to continue through the small hamlet. Keep walking out of town and look for a reddish colored bridge. Once you cross the bridge, turn left and join up with the railroad tracks.

Be mindful, these train tracks are still used frequently. It’s possible to walk on the road, but it isn’t nearly as scenic and cars speed fast along the road.

The railroad track eventually leads to the cave site of Ñaupa Iglesia.

🥾Pachar – Ñaupa Iglesia | 1.5 miles | 45 minutes | Follow along with the map here

Don’t Miss Ñaupa Iglesia

If walking from Pachar to Soqma, don’t miss a chance to visit the fascinating site of Ñaupa Iglesia, or Choquequilla, which is built seamlessly into a large cave. There are a few small ruins that are left behind, but what’s most interesting is the almost “out of place” alter at the entrance. This black stone is engraved with some seriously advanced stone work. Some elders say this intricate chisel work is too advanced for the Inca civilization and this sacred place may actually pre-date the Inca dynasty.

Inside the cave look for the peculiar “portal” on the side of the cave wall. Some say this carving is actually a dimensional portal that has ties to Egypt, a wormhole if you will. What’s really special is the energy you can immediately feel upon stepping foot into this special space. This site is worth a quick pitstop before exploring Perolniyoc Waterfall and Raqaypata.

From Ñaupa Iglesia, exit and continue along on the railroad tracks. These tracks lead to the trailhead in Soqma.

Ñaupa Iglesia – Soqma Trailhead | 1.5 miles | 45 minutes

Soqma Trailhead – Perolniyoc Waterfall – Raqaypata

After a casual stroll along the railroad tracks, reach the road that leads to the small village of Soqma (Socma). Walk along the first bend in the road until you see a small hiking path. Don’t continue along the paved road into Soqma, rather take the dirt hiking path. This trail runs parallel to the village.

This hiking trail is well trotted and provides some nice, distant views of Soqma. The dirt path is lovely and winds past a few homes. As you continue along the path, keep your eyes peeled for those first epic glimpses of Raqaypata on the towering hillside.

The path eventually comes to a stream, which make an ideal place to replenish water. Make sure to use your filter as this is prime farm land, with lots of “presents” that have been left by the cattle. Cross the stream and look to the right. There is a very distinct uphill path that leads to the Perolniyoc Waterfall (Catarata Perolniyoc). The trail is steep, but there are some “rock steps,” which come in handy!

Perolniyoc Waterfall

Notice the rushing water is getting louder. You’re almost there, and the scenery is begining to change. It’s almost as if you’re stepping into a small, lush forest. There are lots of little paths to explore, but they all wind along the base of the stunning Perolniyoc Waterfall. Follow along the stream and moss and look up at the impressive falls.

Soqma Trailhead – Perolniyoc Waterfall | 2.75 miles | +/- 2 hours with breaks

Perolniyoc Waterfall to the Site of Raqaypata

Snag some photos, replenish water, and take a break in the shaded area. This really is an awesome spot in the Sacred Valley. After enjoying a break at the Perolniyoc Waterfall, continue on the uphill path to the site of Raqaypata.

As you continue along this section of the path, don’t forget to look back. There are some epic views of the Perolniyoc Waterfalls with the hilltop ruins. Also, look out to savor nice views of the valley. There are some arrows and blue and white sign markers, so this part of the Perolniyoc waterfall hike is easy to follow. Be mindful of the ascent! From the base of Soqma, the trail climbs over 3,350 feet.

Perolniyoc Waterfall – Raqaypata Archaeological Park | 1.5 miles | 1 hour

Raqaypata Archaeological Park & Hiking Options

The Raqaypata Archaeological Park is free and is quite small, so it doesn’t require a lot of time to explore the site. There is also an information board in Spanish that greets you at the entrance of the park. On the board, find photos that explains some landmarks of the park.

It’s crazy to think of the building mastery of the Incas, since this site not only sits on top of the Perolniyoc Waterfall, but these feats were completed at an altitude close to 12,000 feet (3,645 m).

After exploring the small, but interesting Inca site of Raqaypata, grab a spot on the grass and enjoy a picnic. Appreciate all the stunning 360° views and the crumbling ruins that make the Perolniyoc Waterfall hike worth it.

✔ Travel Resources | 35+ Inca Sites to Visit in Peru

When finished, take the same path (it will be all downhill!) past the Perolniyoc Waterfall. Follow down the same trail that runs parallel to Soqma, and head back to Pachar via the railroad tracks. On the way down there’s less detours and stops, so it cuts down on the mileage and it’s faster. Yeah for the downhill!

Raqaypata Archaeological Park – Pachar | 6 miles | +/- 3 hours

Maybe, after this long day trek in the Sacred Valley, stop for a cold microbrew from the Cervezeria del Valle Sagrado. The outdoor beer garden that sits along the scenic river is the perfect way to end the day!

Intrepid Adventures from Raqaypata

Intrepid hikers who feel comfortable in the mountains may wish to explore even more “off the beaten path.” Proper camping gear and confidence in hiking abilities are essential.

Laguna Ancascocha

Laguna Ancascocha is an epic multi-day trek that continues from Raqaypata. It’s a total of 4 days for the out and back trail. From Raqaypata, pass through the tiny village of Rayon and take a steep mountain pass to wild camp in the Andes mountains.

Walking along the path is tough and they are not well marked. These trails are narrow and more like alpaca path tracks. Be prepared for some serious scrambles. The trail leads you to the few homes that make up the community of Ancascocha. There may be a shepherd or two that can point you in the right direction to the alpine lake.

Reaching Laguna Ancascocha is breathtaking and a beautiful surprise. The turquoise lake is untouched and surrounded by diverse mountains. Take the path up towards the pass to savor in the panoramic views where you can see the alpine lake from another angle. The Lake is often said to resemble some sort of fish.

Coming Soon | The Complete Trekking Guide to Laguna Ancascocha

Inti Punku | Ollantaytambo’s Epic Sun Gate

If you don’t have 4 days to complete the Laguna Ancascocha trek, or don’t feel comfortable getting “too far off the beaten path,” there is a chance to hike down to Ollantaytambo via Inti Punku and a narrow mule pass. The epic and worthwhile Sun Gate towers over the village and offers incredible views of Mount Veronica. This is a 2 Day trek.

Again, you’ll need to feel a little more confident in your hiking abilities. Depending on your fitness level, either camp at Raqaypata or near Rayon. If you start the uphill trek to the pass above Rayon, be mindful that with daylight restrictions, you may have to wild camp along the route. Due to the fact that this path follows along a scenic and bare ridge, the camping options along the path are not the best.

This hike requires a scramble through a rugged and jagged mountain pass on a rocky mule trail. After the mule trail pass, it’s a downhill and straight forward path to the Sun Gate.

Inti Punku is one of the most incredible places in the entire Sacred Valley, when you’re finished exploring, follow the Inca Quarry trail into Ollantaytambo.

Personal Note | I have not taken this exact route. From the Sun Gate in Ollantaytambo I hiked to the mule path, but did not pass over the other side of it. Map.me has it routed on the map. After the steep Rayon pass, the trail splits near lat/long decimal location: -13.29127, -72.280175. To the left is the route to Laguna Ancascocha, whereas the trail to the right leads to the rocky mule pass to the Sun Gate. It’s a few more miles to the jagged mule pass. Once on the other side of the mule pass it should take no more than 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach the Sun Gate.

The above route is a much more advanced route to reach Inti Punku. It’s easier to follow the Old Inca Quarry trail from Ollantaytambo and reverse the route to Perolniyoc Waterfall.

🥾 Inti Punku Ollantaytambo ➜ Mule Pass ➜ Rayon ➜ Raqaypata ➜ Perolniyoc ➜ Soqma ➜ Ñaupa Iglesia ➜ Pachar

Nearby Day Hikes Similar to Perolniyoc Waterfall Hike

If you love the Perolniyoc Waterfall hike, get inspired with these similar “off the beaten path” day hikes that lead to more hidden gem Inca sites.

On top of these “hidden gem sites” in the Sacred Valley, don’t miss the four sprawling Archaeological parks of Pisac, Moray, Chinchero, and Ollantaytambo. These sites are all impressive and are included on the Cusco Tourist Ticket.

Guide for Independent Travelers | Visit ALL 16 sites of the Cusco Tourist Ticket Without a Tour

Total Cost of Perolniyoc Waterfall Hike

So, how much does the Perolniyoc Waterfall day hike in the Sacred Valley actually cost?

Prices on the table are rounded to the nearest 25¢

EXPENSES	PEN (S/)	USD ($)
Roundtrip Collectivo Fare (Urubamba – Pachar)	S/ 4	$1
Ñaupa Iglesia	FREE	FREE
Raqaypata Archaeological Park	FREE	FREE
Snacks & Picnic Lunch	S/ 15	$4
Total Expenses	S/ 19	$5

This awesome day hike in the Sacred Valley can be trekked independently for around $5!!

As you can see the Perolniyoc Waterfall hike is budget friendly and worth the effort.

Final Thoughts | Perolniyoc & Raqaypata Day Hike

In short, this is a complete trekking guide for the Perolniyoc Waterfall hike. This awesome day hike starts in the tiny hamlet of Pachar, passes by the fascinating site of Ñaupa Iglesia and the refreshing Perolniyoc Waterfall. Finally, it ends at the hilltop ruins of Raqaypata. Intrepid hikers with some experience can continue onto Laguna Ancascocha or the Sun Gate of Ollantaytambo.

This worthwhile Sacred Valley day hike can be done independently, and is extremely budget friendly. Believe it or not, these three sites can be toured for around $5! So, if looking to experience something a little different, take the uphill, challenging, yet breathtaking Perolniyoc Waterfall hike!

Have you visited either Ñaupa Iglesia, Perolniyoc Waterfall, or the Raqaypata Archaeological Park? Did you know of these hidden gem sites in Peru’s Sacred Valley? What did you think of this awesome Sacred Valley day hike?

Have you tackled the more advanced multi-day treks from Perolniyoc Waterfall to Laguna Ancascocha or Inti Punku via the mule trail? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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