Looking for a unique and beautiful hike in the Sacred Valley? The day hike from Chinchero to Urquillos is a perfect choice.
STATS AND RATINGS
- Total distance: 11 km
- Route: Point-to-point hike (Walk from Chinchero to Urquillos. Don’t start in Urquillos because then it’ll be almost all the way uphill)
- Total altitude gain: 500 meters
- Highest altitude: 3745 meters
- Difficulty 2/5: The hike doesn’t get technical, but the 12 km distance adds up.
- Overall rating 4/5: (landscape, condition of the trails, sights).
The Chinchero archeological site and Poc Poc waterfall provide for an unforgettable experience. You will also come across this mirador named Mirador del Valle, where you can take beautiful pictures.
In Peru, there are countless Inca trails, of which the most famous one is the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. However, there are plenty of other, less known, Inca trails which are now suited for hiking. With Chinchero to Urquillos as one of them.
Hiking from Chinchero to Urquillos is absolutely worth it.
ABOUT THE SACRED VALLEY
The Sacred Valley is an absolute must-visit if you’re in the Cusco region. This valley is full of history, charming villages, and great hikes and sights.
The local population still keeps many traditional ways of life. For example, people often wear colorful traditional clothing and rely on farming for their income. Photography lovers will also love the Sacred Valley area. The scenery is incredible, with big mountains and beautiful landscapes surrounding the valley.
The region is also famous for its many Inca ruins. Some of the most impressive villages include Ollantaytambo, Pisac, and Chinchero. Other highlights worth visiting are Moray, the Salineras de Maras, and the Perolniyoc waterfall.
And beside these, there’s still so much more to explore. The Sacred Valley is full of hidden spots, incredible hikes, and fascinating sites.
HOW TO GET TO CHINCHERO?
There are two options. You can either take a ‘colectivo’ (shared ride) or taxi. There’s quite a big price difference. A shared van will only cost about 7 soles per person. For a taxi, consider around 50 to 70 soles per person. It depends on the number of people.
I knew roughly where colectivos were to be found, but not exactly the ones that went to Chinchero. Several drivers who want to take tourists to Chinchero, for a higher price, may approach you in the street. They might even get a little aggressive. Don’t get tricked by them.
The exact location
The colectivos are located here: opposite El Tuco Hostel, just south of Puente Grau. Near the intersection of Miguel Grau street and Jirón 21 de Mayo.
The driver will drop you at Plaza de Armas in Chinchero, from here it’s only a short walk to the start of the historical site.
At the end of the hike, you will end up in the small town of Urquillos. Walk across the bridge and wait for a colectivo or bus heading to your destination. Keep in mind that the colectivos and buses are active until 20:00 (8:00PM).
TRAIL INFORMATION
The route starts just southwest of the historical site. In the Maps.me app you can find the start of the track easily, and locals are more than happy to help you out.
An advantage is that this route is mostly downhill, which makes it easier. Since it is so much downhill, it’s likely that you will feel some pressure on your knees at the end of the hike. Make sure you don’t overload them and take it easy. By using hiking poles, you can take some pressure off your knees.
Keep in mind that the hike starts at an altitude of almost 3750 meters. So, ensure to adapt one or two days to the high altitude.
Personally, I recommend visiting the historical site in Chinchero. It is a beautiful site to start the hike with. If luck is on your side, you might witness some weaving demonstrations.
You’ll likely encounter locals in traditional clothing, and there’s a good chance you’ll see alpacas and llamas along the way. Visiting the Chinchero site really gives you that Sacred Valley vibe (yes, we just made that a word).
During the hike, you’ll pass the site and get a good view. If you have time, it’s worth stopping. If not, you can still catch a glimpse from the trail.
The path is easy to follow. Early on, you might see other hikers heading to the Poc Poc waterfall, but after that, it gets quieter. I recommend using the free Maps.me app for navigation.
Bring enough food and water, as there are no shops along the way. You’ll occasionally spot ancient Inca trails.
I did this hike in May, when the forest was dense, but near the end the views open up with Urquillos in the distance. Also, this hike is not that popular, so you won’t encounter many people. Personally, I love hikes that aren’t overrun by tourists.
Trust me, the Chinchero to Urquillos hike won’t disappoint.
PRACTICAL TIPS
- Consider leaving for Chinchero one day in advance. That way you won’t stress in the morning, and you have enough time to visit the archaeological site.
- Bring mosquito spray.
- Bring some cash money for the Poc Poc waterfall.
- If it’s warm, bring a hat and sunscreen.
- Bring water and food because you won’t encounter shops along the way.
- Make sure your shoes have enough grip, the hike is steep at times.
- Consider downloading the Maps.me app. And don’t forget to download the offline map.
We took amazing pictures of this day, but unfortunately the camera was stolen on the last day of the trip.. Almost all pictures were lost. So here is a little reminder to take good care of your belongings and to make sure you store your media in the cloud.
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I would love to have you along for the journey!
– Bart
