Pisac Adventure Tours
Pisac is a Peruvian village in the Sacred Valley on the Urubamba River. The village is well-known for its market every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, an event which attracts heavy tourist traffic from nearby Cusco. One of its more notable features is a large pisonay tree which dominates the central plaza. The sanctuary of Huanca, home to a sacred shrine, is also near the village. Pilgrims travel to the shrine every September. The area is perhaps best known for its Incan ruins, known as Inca Písac, which lie atop a hill at the entrance to the valley. The ruins are separated along the ridge into four groups: Pisaqa, Intihuatana, Q’allaqasa, and Kinchiracay. Intihuatana includes a number of baths and temples. The Temple of the Sun, a volcanic outcrop carved into a “hitching post” for the Sun (or Inti), is the focus, and the angles of its base suggest that it served some astronomical function. Q’allaqasa, which is built onto a natural spur and overlooks the valley, is known as the citadel.
The hillside is lined with agricultural terraces constructed by the Incas. These terraces are still used today. With military, religious, and agricultural structures, the site served at least three different purposes. Besides a country estate, it is thought that Pisac defended the southern entrance to the Sacred Valley, while Choquequirao defended the western entrance and the fortress at Ollantaytambo protected the northern entrance.
The narrow rows of terraces beneath the citadel are thought to represent the wing of a partridge (pisaca), from which the village and ruins get their name.The birds are also common in the area at dusk.
Customize Your Dream Adventure
We are here to help craft tailor-made adventures for individuals, couples, families, and groups of explorers.
Peruvian Panorama
Want to truly see it all? Do it on this fast-paced, all-encompassing Peru trip, with the Amazon, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, the Nazca Lines, and Ballestas Islands.
From $9750 Per Person
Vigorous
Mountain Lodge Trek to Machu Picchu
This deluxe lodge-based trek rounds out our active Machu Picchu menu. Compared to the well-known Inca Trail, the hiking offers similar challenges and the scenery is equally breathtaking, but there are fewer trekkers enroute and the comforts in the evenings are luxurious.
From $4795 Per Person
Demanding
Active in the Andes
Combine hiking, biking, rafting, cross-cultural engagement and archaeological discovery in one fantastic, seamless itinerary. This is great for energetic explorers and families with teens, too.
From $4870 Per Person
Challenging
Incas and Amazon for Families with Teens
Reveal the wonders and delights of the Amazon, Andes, and all of Peru to your whole family with our expert, family-friendly naturalist guides.
From $4550 Per Person
Active
Hiking Sacred Inca Paths
Trek in the less visited and uncrowded Lares region of the Sacred Urubamba Valley north of Cusco. Stay in comfortable lodges and enjoy Machu Picchu plus experience personal encounters with traditional weavers, roving herds of alpacas and llamas, and authentic Quechua village life.
From $4850 Per Person
Vigorous
Sacred Valley Week
Focus on the heart of the ancient Inca Empire while based in comfortable ecolodges. Visit little-known sites and hike ancient off-the-beaten-path trails. An astounding week!
From $3195 Per Person
Active
Amazon and Andes Odyssey
Visit the greatest sites of Peru in the Andes and Amazon, including Machu Picchu and the Tambopata Nature Reserve, where wildlife abounds and people do not.
From $3895 Per Person
Active
Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Choose this as the best supported, guided, paced, and accommodated trip available for hiking the full traditional Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
From $3990 Per Person
Demanding
