Adjusting to the AltitudePumamarka

Trip Highlights

Highlights

Temple of the Moon and Qusilluchayoc (Monkey Temple), Pumamarka hacienda house, local communities and Inca Trail.

Overview

Cusco is located at an altitude of nearly 11,000 ft - likely a great deal higher than the location you've arrived from. In order to ensure you are prepared for longer treks reaching altitudes of over 14,000 ft, we recommend that you take a shorter local hike to adjust to the impact altitude can have on your body.

Adjusting to the Altitude : 4 - 5 hours

On the morning of your hike we will pick you up at your hotel and drive 10 - 15 minutes out of the city to our starting point. After making our final preparations we will visit our first archeological sites, the Temple of the Moon and Qusilluchayoc (Monkey Temple) both of which were important ritual centers during the Incas' time. The sites contain rock carvings with figures of snakes and monkeys; spiritually significant symbols for the Inca. We will then continue our hike along a trail used by the Inca and before arriving at our final destination east of Cusco city.
The first part of the hike contains moderate hills between 11, 500-11,964 ft, before we reach our first Andean community of Yuncaypata at 12,242 ft. From Yuncaypata we will have a panoramic view of Cusco and the Pumamarka (mark of the puma) valley. From here we begin our descent through the corn and potato plantations where locals practice farming methods that have been passed from generation to generation and meet friendly sheep herders. After a short visit at the local school we continue to the historic Pumamarka hacienda, a colonial mansion built over an Inca site the Spanish destroyed before giving the surrounding valley to the royal family of Panaca of Pachacutec.
From the road close to the hacienda we will meet our transportation and return to the city.

Distance : 5 miles

Included

• Bi-lingual tour guide
• Snacks or picnic lunch
• Transportation
• Entrances fees

Not Included

• Additional beverages (we highly recommend a full water bottle)
• Tips to the local staff

Bring

• Sun cream
• Rain Jackets
• Camera
• Had
• Day pack
• Hiking Boots
• Sun glasses
• Water bottle