Hike to Inkilltambo & Other Free Inca Ruins in Cusco Peru

This is a map and basic overview on how to hike to some noteworthy and free Inca ruins in Cusco Peru. Many travelers will visit the famous Inca ruins near Cusco like Saqsaywaman, Q'enqo, Puka Pukara, and Tipon that are included on the popular Cusco Tourist Ticket. What many visitors don't realize is that there are many Inca sites, like Inkilltambo Archeological Site, the Temple of the Moon, and the Temple of the Fly that are free to visit and found along the hillsides of the Imperial City of Cusco.

With these impressive Inca sites within so close proximity to Cusco, it's easy to visit each one by hiking. There are public buses that stop literally steps away from the trailhead! This specific path ends at the Cusco Plaza de Armas.

From the heart of the Imperial City of Cusco, this self-guided hike of Inca ruins can be done as a half day hike or full day trip adventure. There are some Cusco city tour companies that offer a hike to Inkilltambo, but most tours skip past many of the other little visited sites.

Here's how to hike to Inkilltambo and other interesting and free Inca ruins near Cusco.

⁉️ 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. See my full disclosure here. 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

Cusco Day Logistics | Inkilltambo & Free Inca Ruins Cusco

• Loop Trail

  • This self guided hike begins at the popular overlook of Mesa Redonda and ends at the Cuscos Plaza de Armas
  • Or, take a city busy to the trailhead to Inkilltambo and a few other interesting sites

• Duration:Plan on around 5 - 7 hours to fully experience this free self-guided Cusco hiking itinerary

  • There is not much shade along the route, so it's best to leave early before 8:00 a.m. to avoid the intense sun of the Andes Mountains.

• Difficulty: Moderate for the altitude and lack of signage
• Inca Ruins near Cusco Packing List:

  • Wear a good pair of hiking shoes and hiking Poles if you love them.
  • Bring a lunch and snacks, and a water filter comes in handy to replenish water bottles.
  • Layered clothing to protect from the sun, rain jacket just in case, I love traveling with a buff
  • Offline Map, battery charger, cables, ect
  • Day Pack with a stocked First aid kit, sunscreen, bug spray, and a baseball hat is ideal

• Trail Markers: There aren't any official trail markers since this is a self-guided tour, but the main sites like Inkilltambo are marked with the official red and white Archaeological Park signs.
• When can you hike to Inkilltambo ruins and the Cusco ruins? The following free hiking trail tour can be hiked any time of the year.  During the rainy season, be prepared for muddy paths, cloudy skies, and sometimes overgrowth. In the dry season, the sun can be intense.

Safety Precautions

Although this is an independent hiking itinerary, please always hike this area with a buddy or two. Sadly, within the last few years near the Temple of the Moon, there have been recent robberies via knife and gunpoint.  Women travelers should especially be mindful, since there have been reported rapes in the nearby caves in the hillsides near these sites. Take the necessary safety precautions before attempting this hiking itinerary.

Looking for a Hiking Buddy? Join the Free Cusco Hike Club's Facebook Page!

Highlights | Self-Guided Inca Ruins near Cusco Peru

Besides Inkilltambo, be prepared to see some of the best hidden Cusco Inca Site. Please note that some sections of the trail follow Qhapaq Ñan, the ancient Inca Road System that stretch past Quito Ecuador and down through Chile. This complex system of Inca trails is often compared to the impressive structure of the Old Roman Roads.

Many of these free Inca ruins are found within the free section area of the Sacsayhuamán Archaeological Park. While Inkilltambo is one of the more impressive sites along this hiking route, each place is worth a stop.

• Mesa Redonda in Cusco City
• La Torta
• Spanish Colonial Kilns
• Inkilltambo Archaeological Site and the surrounding Inca Trails
• 360° Viewpoints of Inkilltambo ruins with looming views of Ausangate Mountain
• Temple of the Moon (Templo de la Luna)
• Temple of the Fly
• Q'enqo Chico with sweeping views of Cusco City
• Christo Blanco Cusco Viewpoint
• The impressive rocks of Sacsayhuaman

  • Since this tour only walks past the giant stones, there's no need to purchase the Cusco Tourist Ticket

• And So Much More.....

Note | This self-guided Cusco hiking tour skips all of the popular Inca sites on the Cusco Tourist Ticket. It's also possible to visit all 16 of the sprawling archaeological parks, museums, and site without an organized day tour.

Explore Inkilltambo and Other Ruins in Cusco

Interested in exploring Inkilltambo and other hidden gem Inca ruins near Cusco? Get all the logistics, detailed directions on how to reach the trailhead, tips and tricks, and more information on all the site. Follow along with this detailed blog post:

8 Free Inca Ruins to Discover Near Cusco | Self-Guided Hiking Tour

Psst... Check out these 35+ Inca Sites to Explore on your visit to Peru

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