This morning we will hike to the indigenous village of Willoq, a traditional farming, llama herding and weaving community that has conserved its traditional way of life. The trail follows a narrow valley through Inca terraces still used by local people to grow potatoes, corn, quinoa, and other native crops, along the way, we will pass the Inca archaeological site of Pumamarca (3,435 meters / 11,266 feet)
The communities of Willoc and Patacancha, are traditional farming, llama herding and weaving communities that has conserved its traditional way of life, they represent an ethnic group that has kept Inca traditions alive, one of the villagers’ specialties is their Textile Art, a heritage treasure, their dresses, and textile works have very striking colors in red, white, and black tones.
The Inca administrative and agricultural center of Pumamarca (3,435 meters / 11,269 feet) is surrounded by a zigzagging wall, suggesting that it may have been fortified, the complex is composed of several storehouses for crops, known in Quechua as colcas, while more than one hundred stepped agricultural terraces stretch out across the valley.
After enjoying our guided tour of this interesting and beautifully Inca site we will explore the valley following a narrow trail through Inca terraces still used by local people. It is a short walk, the scenery in this valley, with its woodland and fields of Andean crops is beautiful. The trail of 5 kilometer / 2.42 miles is easy and crosses many farming terraces built by the Incas to prevent the erosion of the land and to facilitate the irrigation of agricultural fields, the trail gradually descends to the valley (3,026 meters / 9,928 feet).
In the village our vehicle will be waiting to take us to Ollantaytambo train station before taking the train to Machu Picchu and spending the night in the nearby small town of Aguas Calientes.
The last night: We spend in Aguas Calientes town, in a hotel tourist class.
Trekking distance:
We will spend around 2 to 3 hours vising the Patacancha and Willoq villages.
Hike Patacancha valley – Willoq 3.90 kilometers / 2.42 miles (2 hours)
Hike Pumamarca hike; to the grounds of the valley 5 km. / 2.42 miles (2-3 hours)
Altitude:
- Patacancha 3,802 meters / 12,470 feet
- Willoq 3,532 meters / 11,587 feet.
- Pumamarca 3,435 meters / 11,269 feet.
- End of the hike, valley ground 3,026 meters / 9,928 feet.
- Ollantaytambo train station 2,800 meters / 9184 feet
Traveling distance:
Car: Willoq to Ollantaytambo 24 kilometers / 15 miles (1hour)
Train: Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu 55 kilometers by train (2 hours)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner