Full-Day Tour to Intipunku and Ollantaytambo – Explore Inca Ruins and Andean Landscapes

• TOUR RECOMMENDATIONS
• Comfortable Layered Clothing: Bring comfortable clothing appropriate for trekking that you can adjust during the day. Very early departure (05:30 am) with cold temperatures in the morning and intense sun during the day. Warm jacket or coat for the morning, light clothing for midday and optional thermal clothing.
• Footwear: MANDATORY trekking shoes with good grip and ankle support. The tour includes approximately 3 hours ascent hike along original Inca roads, uneven terrain and stones. Closed, resistant and comfortable footwear that you have previously worn.
• Sun Protection: SPF 50+ sunscreen, sunglasses and hat/cap. Solar radiation is very intense in the Sacred Valley and at 3,900 m.a.s.l. Apply sunscreen every 2 hours during the hike.
• Cash: Bring soles for additional snacks, voluntary tips for the guide and personal expenses. Breakfast and lunch are included.
• Hydration: Reusable water bottle (minimum 2 liters). Staying well hydrated is essential during the ascent hike. Limited sales points on the route.
• Small Backpack: To carry camera, documents, water, energy snacks, sunscreen, extra jacket and cash. Light backpack of 25-30 liters is sufficient.
• Camera or Phone: ESSENTIAL to photograph the Veronica snow-capped mountain (5,682 m.a.s.l.), panoramic views of the Sacred Valley from Intipunku, archaeological complex with astronomical orientation, original Inca roads, Cachiccata quarry, funeral Chullpas and Andean landscapes. Bring extra battery or power bank.
• Documents: Original ID or Passport for registration.
• Early Departure: Prepare for a very early departure (05:30 am). It is advisable to sleep well the night before and organize your belongings from the previous day. Breakfast is included in Ollantaytambo.
• Cultural Respect: You will visit local communities of Cachiccata and Ollantaytambo with living Andean traditions. Be respectful of people, their customs and archaeological sites. Follow the guide's instructions and do not touch or take elements from historical sites.
• Learning Attitude: This is a historical and archaeological tour. Prepare your willingness to listen to the guide's explanations about Inca history, Qhapaq Ñan road system, ceremonial functions of Intipunku, astronomical orientation of the complex, Inca quarries and the empire's territorial control system.
• Peaceful Pace: The hike is at a moderate pace with stops to rest and appreciate the landscape. Walk at your own pace and notify the guide if you need to rest. Acclimatization is very important at this altitude.
• Energy Snacks: Bring dried fruits, energy bars, chocolates or fruits to replenish energy during the ascent hike. They will help you maintain energy levels.
• Personal Medication: If you have any medical condition or take medications, bring them with you. If you are sensitive to altitude, carrying preventive medication is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. The maximum altitude is 3,900 m.a.s.l., higher than downtown Cusco.
• Trekking Poles: Highly recommended for ascent and descent. They help maintain balance and reduce impact on knees. Check if you can rent them.
• Physical Condition: Although no previous experience is required, make sure you have basic physical condition. The hike is 3 hours of moderate ascent.
• Historical Experience: This tour connects you with the living history of the Inca Empire. Enjoy walking along original ancestral routes and learn about the cultural and historical legacy of Inca civilization.

• FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
• Is previous experience or good physical condition necessary? No previous trekking experience is required, but a basic physical condition is needed to walk approximately 3 hours of ascent along Andean trails to Intipunku. The difficulty level is moderate. The hike is at a leisurely pace with stops to rest and appreciate the landscape.
• What does this tour include? Includes hotel pick-up in Cusco (05:30 am), private round-trip tourist transportation, bilingual professional guide specialized in Inca history and archaeology (Spanish/English), traditional Andean breakfast in Ollantaytambo before the hike, transfer to Cachiccata community (starting point), entrance to Inca quarry of Cachiccata, funeral Chullpas, archaeological site of Choquetacarpo and Intipunku viewpoint, traditional lunch in Ollantaytambo after the hike, detailed explanation of each place and permanent assistance throughout the tour.
• What services are NOT included? Not included: dinner (return to Cusco between 5:00-6:00 PM), additional beverages during the hike, voluntary tips, personal expenses or extra snacks. Breakfast and lunch are included.
• How long does the tour last and what time does it depart? The tour lasts 1 full day - full day (approximately 10 hours). We start with hotel pick-up at 05:30 am in Cusco. We have breakfast in Ollantaytambo, then hike approximately 3 hours to Intipunku, return walking to Cachiccata, have lunch in Ollantaytambo and return to Cusco approximately between 5:00 - 6:00 PM.
• How many days do I need to be in Cusco before the tour? At least 2 days of prior acclimatization in Cusco is recommended. The maximum altitude is 3,900 m.a.s.l., higher than downtown Cusco (3,399 m.a.s.l.). Ideal for the third or fourth day of your stay, once your body is well adapted to the altitude.
• What places will we visit during the tour? You will visit: Sacred Valley of the Incas, community of Ollantaytambo (with well-preserved Inca urban structures), community of Cachiccata (starting point of the hike), Inca quarry of Cachiccata (where material was extracted for constructions), funeral Chullpas (pre-Inca and Inca tombs), archaeological site of Choquetacarpo, original Inca road (segment of the ancestral Qhapaq Ñan road system used by the Incas), Intipunku viewpoint "The Gateway of the Sun" at 3,900 m.a.s.l. (with spectacular panoramic views of the Veronica snow-capped mountain at 5,682 m.a.s.l. and Sacred Valley), and Intipunku archaeological complex at the summit (with structures of astronomical orientation and ceremonial functions related to solstices and equinoxes). An authentic historical experience off the mass circuits, combining archaeology, Inca history and Andean landscapes.

• IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE BOOKING
• Service type: Private.
• Total duration: Full day - 1 full day (approximately 10 hours).
• Departure: 05:30 AM with pick-up from your hotel in Cusco.
• Maximum altitude: 3,900 m.a.s.l.
• Difficulty level: Moderate. Hike of approximately 3 hours ascent to the Intipunku viewpoint.
• Documentation: Carry original ID or Passport for registration.
• Acclimatization: Ideal for the third or fourth day of arrival in Cusco. The maximum altitude is 3,900 m.a.s.l., higher than downtown Cusco. Prior acclimatization of at least 2 days is recommended.
• Guide language: Professional bilingual in Spanish / English.
• Experience type: Historical and nature experience. Hike along original Inca road (Qhapaq Ñan) to Intipunku "The Gateway of the Sun", ancient Inca control point with ceremonial and surveillance functions.
• Breakfast: INCLUDED. Traditional Andean breakfast in Ollantaytambo before starting the hike.
• Lunch: INCLUDED. Traditional lunch in Ollantaytambo after the hike.
• Restrictions: No special restrictions. Accessible for people with basic physical condition. Ability to do a moderate hike of approximately 3 hours required.
• Weather: Temperate Andean with intense sun. Can be cool in the early morning hours and at the summit. Bring sun protection and layered clothing.
• Clothing: Comfortable layered hiking clothing, mandatory trekking shoes with good grip, warm jacket for the morning, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses.
• Accommodation: Does NOT include accommodation. Full-day tour with return to Cusco in the afternoon.
• Dinner: NOT included. Return to Cusco with time for dinner.
• Experience: Historical, archaeological and nature tourism. Ideal for lovers of Inca history, archaeology, less traveled routes, authentic Andean landscapes and travelers seeking experiences off the beaten path.
• End: Return to downtown Cusco approximately between 5:00 - 6:00 PM.
• Main attractions: Sacred Valley of the Incas, community of Ollantaytambo (with Inca urban structures), community of Cachiccata (starting point), Inca quarry of Cachiccata, funeral Chullpas, archaeological site of Choquetacarpo, original Inca road (segment of the Qhapaq Ñan road system), Intipunku viewpoint "The Gateway of the Sun" at 3,900 m.a.s.l. with panoramic views of the Veronica snow-capped mountain (5,682 m.a.s.l.) and Sacred Valley, Intipunku archaeological complex (structures with astronomical orientation and ceremonial functions).
• Cultural interaction: Direct experience with local communities of Cachiccata and Ollantaytambo, hike along ancestral Inca routes, connection with the historical legacy of the Inca Empire, knowledge about architecture, astronomy and Inca territorial control system.

Day hike to the emblematic Inti Punku, surrounded by nature.

Consult the map to locate the route to Inti Punku from Ollantaytambo. Discover trails, access points and key points to plan your full-day adventure.