Hike to the Interesting Pumamarca Ruins From Ollantaytambo

This is a map and basic overview on how to hike to the interesting Pumamarca ruins from Ollantaytambo Peru. The small village is a highlight of the Sacred Valley, however, most travelers simply pass through on their way to to Machu Picchu or to visit the hillside Ollantaytambo ruins that are part of the popular and worthwhile Cusco Tourist Ticket.

The Pumamarca Archaeological Site makes the perfect half day adventure hike from the charming village of Ollantaytambo. The unique Pumamarca ruins are a mixture of Pre-Inca (Wari) and Inca ruins that played a significant role in Inca history. This sacred site is also famous its resemblance to the highly regarded animal of the puma.

☛ Travel Tip | The altitude of Ollantaytambo Peru is almost 9,160 (2,792 m), so make sure that you are properly acclimated before tackling any hikes or adventures.

While there are many tours that offer the Pumamarca ruins as a guided day trip from Cusco and the Sacred Valley, the trail is quite straightforward and easy to follow.

This is an overview trekking guide on how to reach the Pumamarca ruins from Ollantaytambo Plaza de Armas.

⁉️ 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

Pumamarca Ruins Hike Overview

• Out & Back Trail
• Total Mileage: 8.75 Miles
• One-Way Mileage: 4.2 Miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Ascent: A gradual, yet scenic ascent of around 2,680 ft.
• Trail Markers: From the Media Luna Terraces, follow along with the official red and white arrows.
• Excursion Duration: This round-trip trek should take around 5 hours.
• Best Time to Hike to the Pumamarca Ruins: Anytime of the year! During the rainy season, expect the trail to be muddy and a little overgrown.

Pumamarca Trail Overview & Highlights

To reach the trailhead that leads to the Pumamarca ruins, leave the adorable Ollantaytambo Plaza de Armas and follow along the river, past two churches. Meet up with a main road and look for a large red building.

TRAIL UPDATE (6/1/2022): The red house has been painted and is now yellow! Verify the location with GPS coordinates below

Cross the road and continue on the path to the left of the house. This begins the official trailhead to the Pumamarca ruins. Soon after, pass by the impressive Media Luna Terraces.  From there, follow along the marked Inca trail to Pumamarca Archaeological Site.

Although the Pumamarca ruins are impressive, it's the trail that is absolutely breathtaking. Along the trail, pass by small trickling waterfalls, cross wooden bridges, savor lovely viewpoints, and hike through towering, shaded forests. Walk along the old Inca terraces and spot tiny little hamlets scattered throughout the incredible Sacred Valley. The hiking path up to the site of the Pumamarca ruins is a diverse and splendid route.

The Pumamarca ruins can be spotted from a distance on the hillside. There is a small tienda that offers some great viewpoints of the site. Continue into the park and explore this significant and hidden-gem site.

Pumamarca Archaeological Park

Welcome to the Pumamarca Archaeological Site! At the entrance gate, meet Emilio, the sweetest gatekeeper ever.  He is very enthusiastic to share details about this sacred site and the remaining ruins.  Pumamarca was actually built by the Wari, a Pre-Inca civilization, and then later used as a ceremonial site by the Inca Empire. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived, Pumamarca acted as an important fortress.

Pumamarca Logistics | Pumamarca Entrance Fee: 10 PEN ($2.75 USD) | Paying the Entrance fee helps support the surrounding local mountain communities | garbage drop and camping available | covered picnic area and toilet just outside the park

The Pumamarca ruins make an ideal place to have a picnic. There really is no place to eat in the shade, but find lots of wide open green space and a few jovial and curious llamas. There is a covered picnic area before the archaeological site. When ready, take the same path down from the site that you climbed up earlier.

Top Things to Do in Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo is a gem of a village found in the lush and fertile Sacred Valley. In town, find the main hillside Ollantaytambo Archaeological Park. Of course, in the village find lots of free Inca sites, charming cobblestone streets, local markets, and even its own distillery.

For those seeking more adventures and hikes, look no further than Ollantaytambo. Some of the best and top Ollantaytambo hikes are easily accessible from the village. For a full day adventure, take the uphill climb to Inti Punku, the sacred Sun Gate of Ollantaytambo. This incredible hike follows along the Old Inca Quarry Trails and boasts stunning views of Mount Veronica.

From Ollantaytambo, it's possible to follow the Old Inca Road past Choqana and into Pachar. Pachar is the gateway to the peculiar Ñaupa Iglesia energetic cave site and the Perolniyoc Waterfall with the Raqaypata Inca ruins on top of the cliffside falls.

Most visitors will only briefly pas through Ollantaytambo Peru to board the train that will take them to Aguas Calientes, to explore Peru's most famous and popular site, Machu Picchu. As you can see, there are so many incredible and worthwhile things to do in Ollantaytambo. This small village is one of my absolute favorite mountain towns in South America and warrants at least a few days on a Peru itinerary.

➯ Peru Guide | The Ultimate Ollantaytambo Travel Guide

Pumamarca Ruins | A Worthwhile Day Hike from Ollantaytambo

Interested in exploring the Pumamarca ruins from Ollantaytambo? Get all the logistics on this enjoyable day hike, detailed information on how to reach the trailhead, and the total cost of this independent day hike. Follow along with this complete and detailed blog post:

Pumamarca | A Hidden Sacred Site Near Ollantaytambo Peru

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