Visit Ñaupa Iglesia | A Fascinating Site in Peru’s Sacred Valley

There’s whispers in the incredible Sacred Valley, of a dimensional gate, a door, a portal to another world. This peculiar portal is said to be found at the site of Ñaupa Iglesia, an ancient sacred ruin, which may actually predate the Inca dynasty. The Archaeological Park of Ñaupa Iglesia is completely free, and it’s easy to independently visit this special place and feel the power of the magical cave and the few remaining surrounding ruins.

Ñaupa Iglesia is found in Pachar, between the authentic village of Urubamba and charming Ollantaytambo in Peru’s Sacred Valley. It’s possible to reach these powerful ruins by public transportation and a mostly flat hike. This incredibly sacred site is rarely visited, so it feels like a truly authentic experience. A visit to Ñaupa Iglesia is worthwhile easy to reach. The site is built inside of a cave and emits a certain energy that can only be felt by stepping inside.

From Ñaupa Iglesia, there’s an option to add-on a few different hikes. This sacred site is a highlight of the Sacred Valley.

Here’s how to visit the incredible and peculiar site of Ñaupa Iglesia without a tour.

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, 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 Ñaupa Iglesia
• How to Get to Ñaupa Iglesia in the Sacred Valley
• Pachar to Ñaupa Iglesia
• Explore Ñaupa Iglesia
• Things to Do Near Ñaupa Iglesia
• Cost of Ñaupa Iglesia Day Trip
• Final Thoughts | The Fascinating Site of Ñaupa Iglesia

☛ Cusco Travel Planning | The Ultimate Cusco & Sacred Valley Itinerary for One Week | 32 Unique & Famous Landmarks in Peru to Visit | 5 Unique Cusco Itineraries | Where to Eat in Cusco Peru

Map & Overview Ñaupa Iglesia

This is a map on how to reach Ñaupa Iglesia from Pachar in Peru’s Sacred Valley.

Ñaupa Iglesia can also be referenced as Choquequilla

⁉️ 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.

Ñaupa Iglesia Hike Logistics

This hike is fairly easy and mostly flat, making it a great Sacred Valley day trip. This hike can be accessed from Cusco, but for logistic purposes, it’s best to take as a day trip while already exploring the Sacred Valley.

• Out & Back Trail
• Difficulty: Easy & Flat
• Total Mileage: 3 Miles
• One-Way Distance: 1.5 miles
• Excursion Duration: The hike itself takes less than 45 minutes, but plan on 2-3 hours depending on how long you wish to explore Ñaupa Iglesia.
• Add-On Hikes & Adventures: There’s a chance to take a few more hikes from Ñaupa Iglesia
  • Hike to Ollantaytambo on an Old Inca Road and pass by the free Choqana Ruins.
  • Visit the whimsical Perolniyoc waterfall and the ruins that sit on top (coming soon)
• Gear Essentials:
  • Good Hiking Shoes
  • Coca Leaves

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

How to Get to Ñaupa Iglesia in the Sacred Valley

The collectivos, or small vans, that run from Ollantaytambo and Urubamba will drop in the tiny village of Pachar. The easiest landmark is the microbrewery Cerveceria del Valle Sagrado. Look for local women selling bread from make-shift stands near the entrance of the Pachar bridge.

Exit at the Pachar stop, simply tell the driver: “Baja Pachar, por favor.” It’s best to follow along with Maps.me or Google Maps. Oftentimes, you will need to announce your exit to the driver.

🚐 Urubamba – Pachar Collectivos | Cost: 2 PEN (50¢ USD) | Duration: 25 minutes | Ollantaytambo – Pachar Collectivos | Cost: 1 PEN (25¢ USD) | Duration: 5 minutes

Detailed Directions | Pachar to Ñaupa Iglesia

Upon arrival in Pachar, cross over the big orange bridge and turn to the right. Follow the main road through the tiny village. There will be a small bridge on the right with a trail head sign that reads Qhapaq Ñan. This is part of the ancient royal Inca road system, and this trail section leads to Ollantaytambo and the Choqana ruins, so continue walking straight.

Follow along on the road until you see a red bridge with a railroad crossing sign. This bridge is about .75 miles from the drop-off at Pachar. Cross the bridge and look for the railroad tracks to your left. Begin following these railroad tracks.

It’s possible to follow the main road; however, it’s not as scenic.

⁉️ CAUTION | It’s important to note that these tracks are still very much active. Please take care if choosing to follow along next to these tracks. I had many trains pass me, so I followed alongside the tracks, and not on the actual tracks. Be on alert for the horns of the approaching trains.

Follow along the tracks until you eventually come to the road and look for a blue sign for Sitio Arqueologico Ñaupa Iglesia. Now, you must follow the train tracks until you see a small path to the right. There will be an official sign on the rules for visiting this special site.

Finally, see the massive cave looming on the right hand side. Start climbing the stoney staircase of terraces to the sacred site of Ñaupa Iglesia.

Explore Ñaupa Iglesia

Welcome to the magical site of Ñaupa Iglesia! This sacred site is built seamlessly into a large cave. The name itself is a mystery, since it’s a mixture of both Quechua and Spanish languages. It translates to “Old Church,” which may give clues that this peculiar site is older than any of us can image. It’s not so much the small ruins that are left behind, but the energy you can immediately feel upon stepping foot into this special space.

There’s an intriguing alter at the entrance. Some elders say this intricate chisel work is too advanced for the Inca civilization. There are whispers that this alter was here before the Inca dynasty arrived, and the Inca just inherited it. The alter is made from a black rock that seems not to fit with the surrounding red and brown sandstone mountains.

Do as the Locals Do | You may see many coca leaves left behind at the alter and around on the ruins. Many locals leave this special offering for Pachamama, or Mother Earth.

Next, inside of the cave, find the mysterious “dimensional gate.” It is carved into the side of the ancient cave, facing in the direction of the Milky Way. Legend say that your body passes through the first doorway. Next, the soul through the “second gate.” Some say that the gate has ties to Egypt and it’s actually a very old wormhole.

Head deeper into the cave to see a smaller cave towards the ceiling.

There are some ruins that surround the large cave, but mostly people come to gawk and awe at the alter and the “dimensional portal.”

➯ Detailed Guide | 35+ Inca Sites You Must See in Peru

Things to Do Near Ñaupa Iglesia

From Ñaupa Iglesia, either head back on the same route towards Pachar, or explore deeper and hike towards the Perolniyoc waterfall. Also, Ollantaytambo makes a worthwhile next stop!

Pachar

If heading back to Pachar, hike a small section of the ancient road system known as the “Qhapaq Ñan” to Ollantaytambo, or stop for a snack and a microbrewery at Cerveceria del Valle Sagrado.

The Inca Road to Ollantaytambo

The flat and easy hike on the Qhapaq Ñan trail to Ollantaytambo also passes the free ruins of Choqana. The Choqana Ruins can be found about 2.5 miles in the flat trail. It’s a simple spot to enjoy a picnic and watch the rushing Urubamba River. Climb around the crumbling site which sits next to the rushing Urubamba River. It’s a nice simple walk that is a nice half day trip.

The Qhapaq Ñan trail is a massive and ancient road system that spans across Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia. Some of the roads were established by pre-Inca civilizations, but most were modernized and perfected by the Inca civilization. It’s possible to see the signage for this ancient road way all throughout Peru, especially in the Sacred Valley and around Cusco. Although the paths aren’t perfectly connected, this ancient roadway spans almost 20,000 miles and has been compared to the road system built under the Roman Empire.

Cerveceria del Valle Sagrado

The Cerveceria del Valle Sagrado is the perfect place to enjoy a microbrew with some comforting snacks. There are calzones, appetizers, and a diverse selection of rotating taps. Have a beer while enjoying the beautiful green garden nestled right next to the river. This is an excellent place that both tourists and locals enjoy. The microbrewery gives a lot back to the community, and has many programs that encourage education of the youth in the Sacred Valley.

Hours: Fri – Sun: 12:00 – 20:00 | Find them here: Paradero Puente Pachar | Cerveceria del Valle Sagrado’s Facebook Page

Perolniyoc Waterfall & Ruins

If have more time and already at Ñaupa Iglesia, why not head down further and explore the awesome Perolniyoc Waterfall. This trailhead is farther along on the railroad tracks and can be reached from the small village of Soqma. It’s around 40 minutes of following the scenic tracks from Ñaupa Iglesia to Soqma.

🥾 Hiking Guide | The Complete Trekking Guide for Perolniyoc Waterfall & Raqaypata Inca Site

Once at the entrance of the small town follow along on a path to waterfall. From the waterfall, there’s a change to continue up to the Raqaypata ruins, which are found in the Perolniyoc Archaeological Park. The climb up is spectacular!

Ñaupa Iglesia – Raqaypata Hiking Logistics | Distance: Around 4.25 miles | Duration: 3 – 5 hours | Download the Map

Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo is a picturesque and charming Inca village. This adorable village has preserved Inca water canals chiseled perfectly throughout the cobblestone streets. Many people visit Ollantaytambo to start the popular Inca trail, or hop on the train to Aguas Calientes to access the most famous site in all of Peru, Machu Picchu. This hamlet is so much more than just a stop-over in the Sacred Valley.

☛ The Absolute Best Things to Do in Ollantaytambo Peru

In the village, visit the hillside ruins that are part of the popular Cusco Tourist Ticket, the Archaeological Park of Ollantaytambo. Those who don’t have the ticket can also explore the free ruins of Pinkuylluna, which are old granaries and offer some incredible views of the village and a bird’s eye view of the Archaeological site of Ollantaytambo.

Ollantaytambo has an excellent market that serves up heaping plates of traditional food for 5 PEN. There’s also a wide range of coffee shops, artisanal craft shops, modern restaurants, and even a distillery. Stroll through the intimate streets or just watch the world go by in the Plaza de Armas that is encircled by green lush mountains.

Psst… Need a place to sleep in Ollantaytambo? Try Casa Quechua Hostel & Camping. This family run guesthouse has simple private and shared rooms, plenty of places to camp, warm hosts, a lovely garden, and is tucked away on a beautiful street with lovely views. Book here

Nearby Hikes in Ollantaytambo

Some of the best treasures of Ollantaytambo can be reached via the nearby hiking trail. Don’t miss the gorgeous “hidden gem” site of Pumamarca. Pass by old Inca terraces, cross over wooden bridges, and reach this site that pre-dates the Incas. Adventure hikers may wish to tackle the Inti Punku, the incredible Sun Gate of Ollantaytambo, that boasts sweeping views of Mount Veronica. This epic hike follows along the Old Inca Quarry trail and is one of the best hikes in the entire Sacred Valley!

Travel Deeper | All the Best Things to do in the Sacred Valley Peru

Cost of Ñaupa Iglesia Day Trip

So, now that we’ve explored all the awesome things to do around Ñaupa Iglesia, how much does this day trip to actually cost? This budget itinerary includes: visiting the sacred site of Ñaupa Iglesia, walking the Qhapaq Ñan to the Choqana ruins, and ending in Ollantaytambo.

Prices on the table are rounded to the nearest 25¢

Expenses	PEN (S/)	USD($)
Public Transportation	S/4	$1
Lunch at the Ollantaytambo Market	S/5	$1.50
Total	S/9	$2.50

This relaxing day trip cost me only $2.50!

Final Thoughts | The Fascinating Site of Ñaupa Iglesia

The ancient site of Ñaupa Iglesia is fantastic and worth a visit while discovering the Sacred Valley. It’s not so much that the ruins are large, but rather, the energy is incredible and the chisel work is impressive. See the ancient alter that carries whispers that it may pre-date the Inca dynasty. Gawk at the incredible “portal” that sits facing the direction of the Milky Way. Most importantly, take the time to feel the swirling energy that circulates and buzzes throughout this cave.

It’s easy to independently visit this site while staying in the Sacred Valley. Make it a quick pit-stop, or turn it into a half-day trip with walking a small section of the Qhapaq Ñan Trail to Ollantaytambo, or maybe visit the wonderful Cerveceria del Valle Sagrado, which gives back so much to the local community. Maybe, continue farther along the railroad tracks and visit the whimsical Perolniyoc Waterfall and the Raqaypata Ruins that sit on top of it.

Travel deeper by enjoying a trip to the sacred and special Ñaupa Iglesia. The pictures don’t do it justice, as the energy must be felt by stepping into this buzzing space.

Have you been to Ñaupa Iglesia and experienced the energy at this special space? What did you think of Ñaupa Iglesia? Let me know in the comments below!

Disclaimer: There’s a chance this post contains affiliate links, and I receive a small (but grateful) portion of the sale. There’s no extra cost to you, and I only promote things that I use and love.