Marcahuasi

The basics

Except for the odd intrepid explorer, most travelers come to Marcahuasi through a guided full-day tour from Lima. Hiking tours handle the long driver over and ensure you cope with the hike up to see Marcahuasi. Expect roughly two hours to explore the sights of Marcahuasi after the hike up and before heading back down again. Those looking to camp at Marcahuasi overnight will likely have to go it alone, although donkeys can be rented to take up bags and supplies to make the climb easier.

Things to know before you go

• Visitors must pay an entrance fee to hike the trail.
• The change in elevation from Lima to Marcahuasi is dramatic, so symptoms of altitude sickness are highly possible.
• Accommodation for visitors is limited between a hotel in San Pedro de Casta or camping in the mountains.
• Good hiking shoes and warm weather are needed to climb the plateau.
• The hike is not suitable for people with mobility issues or young children.

How to get there

Marcahuasi is located up in the Andes Mountains in the nearest part of the mountain range of Lima, roughly 40 miles (60 kilometers) away. Without a tour handling the transportation or your own vehicle to drive there, it takes two bus or shared taxi rides and more than four hours from Lima to reach the village of San Pedro de Casta below it. Visiting by public transport makes a day trip from Lima effectively impossible.

When to get there

The best time to visit Marcahuasi depends on whether you’re visiting for a day or overnight. June to September in winter brings dry weather, which is ideal for a day trip, but it gets very cold overnight during these months. Visiting from October to January allows for warmer weather and a better chance to see the small lagoons that form on the plateau.

Understanding the history of Marcahuasi

Pre-Columbian human and archaeological remains have been found around Marcahuasi, raising many questions about the plateau's history. Among the interesting rock formations stand several chullpas, stone structures believed to have been used in funeral practices. A small museum in San Pedro de Casta explains these aspects of the local history.