The community of Piscacucho, also known as kilometer 82, is located in the district of Ollantaytambo, province of Urubamba in the city of Cusco, at an altitude of 2709 meters above sea level, on the edge of the Machu Picchu National Park, and where visitors start the Inca trail, it can be reached by bus in approximately 3 hours of travel from the city of Cusco.
Surely you are wondering where is Piscacucho? The community of Piscacucho, also known as kilometer 82, is located in the district of Ollantaytambo, province of Urubamba in the City of Cusco, at an altitude of 2709 meters above sea level, on the edge of the Machu Picchu National Park, and Where visitors start the Inca Trail, you can get there by bus in about 3 hours from the city of Cusco.
Piscacucho has an ecosystem that corresponds to the alpine or mountain range, its climate is temperate, ranging between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius in the morning and 6 to 10 degrees Celsius at night.
The rainy season covers the period from November to March while the rest of the year is relatively dry.
It has wonderful Andean landscapes, the snow-capped mountains, and the Urubamba river that adorn the landscape of this community.
You can see Inca archaeological centers and bridle paths, being at the beginning of the Inca trail.
In 2011 the "Regional Directorate of Culture" made important findings in this area, they were skulls and long bones, and it was not ruled out that they could be mummified since they were in good condition.
It is a space that seeks to make its visitors aware of the majesty of the place, it was inaugurated in June 2013, and is located in the community of Piscacucho, it was built thinking of generating an information space on the Protected Natural Area, at the point initial of the traditional Inca trail. The tour of the Center begins with an induction video that aims to transport the visitor through the most fascinating places of the Sanctuary, in addition to knowledge in a playful way, the vast biodiversity that this Historical Sanctuary houses located in the Andean-Amazon area.
The only way to get to Piscacucho in Cusco is through the Inca Trail for 4 days / or 3 nights.
The Inca Trail begins in the community of Piscacucho, which is the official entrance to the Inca Trail, from here the legendary road begins around 6 to 7 hours with 11 kilometers in length, passing through an impressive landscape and the Inca archaeological complex of Qoriwayrachina with a wonderful view of Llactapata. Then you ascend to the community of Wayllabamba to finally rest in the Yuncachimpa camp. On the second day, the walk is more at the walker's own pace along the Lulluchampa road at 3850 meters high, until reaching quite a few stairs, passing through beautiful landscapes until reaching the Warmihuañusca cover at 4200 meters high, after this point, we descend passing through Runcuracay until reaching the Chaquicocha camp. The 3rd day of hiking is the most impressive as it enters tropical forests, combined with beautiful Inca archaeological monuments such as Sayacmarca, Conchamarca, and Phuyupatamarca. Finally, you descend some steps to the Inca archaeological site of Wiñaywayna to the last camp. On the 4th day, a path of 7 kilometers is traveled for approximately 2 to 3 hours, to finally reach the entrance of the magnificent Inca citadel of Machu Picchu called Inti Punku or Sun Gate.
To start the Inca Trail begins in the community of Piscacucho (Km 82), which is the official entrance to the Inca Trail, from here the legendary trail begins around 6 to 7 hours with 11 kilometers in length, passing through an impressive landscape and the Inca archaeological complex of Qorihuayrachina with a wonderful view of Llactapata. Then we ascend to the community of Wayllabamba to finally rest in the Yuncachimpa camp. On the second day, the walk is more at the pace of the walker along the path of Lulluchampa at 3850 meters, until reaching many stairs, passing through beautiful landscapes to reach Warmihuañusca at 4200 meters high, after this point it descends passing Runkurakay until On reaching to the Chaquicocha Camp. The third day of hiking is the most impressive when entering the tropical forests, combined with beautiful Inca archaeological monuments such as Sayacmarca, Conchamarca, and Phuyupatamarca. Finally, descend a few steps to the Inca archaeological site of Wiñayhuayna until the last camp. On the 4th day, we walk a 7-kilometer trail for approximately 2 to 3 hours, to finally reach the entrance of the magnificent Inca citadel of Machu Picchu called Inti Punku or Puerta del Sol.
Entrance tickets for any of the routes are not sold at the access control. In the case of Montaña Huayna Picchu, you will not be able to enter this area without the corresponding ticket. The maximum entry capacity is 400 visitors per day, divided into two groups of 200 people according to the indicated schedule.
