PUMAMARCA VALLEY DAY HIKE | Quechua Treks Peru

DURATION

DIFFICULTY

1 DAY

MODERATE

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TERRACES OF YUCAY

(Full-day)

In the heart of the Sacred Valley, an imposing Pisonay tree rests in the plaza of Yucay, where the biggest corn of the valley and the World grows; this is the starting point of our hike.

Behind the plaza is an impressive group of terraces that follow the contour of the mountain, and are still used by the locals today. Along our way we will also see cave paintings and carved tombs/niches in the cliff faces.

We start the morning by visiting the temple of Sayri Tupac. At one time in history Yucay was the resting place for the royal Inca family. The trail follows a wide channel stream coming from the snowcapped mountain of San Juan. Immersed in nature, with the sound of running water and the views of the valley from the top of the terraces will be one of the highlights of our journey. After about 2 hours the trail finishes at the other plaza of Yucay. This is where our private transportation will be waiting for us to drive us back to our hotel.

Hiking time: 3 Hrs

Altitude range: 2857m

Meal: Box lunch

At the beginning of this page, we mentioned the difficulty level of your trek and check the details below.

EASY – Short hikes on well-marked trails with gentle ascents and descents. Minimal altitude gain, no technical challenges, and plenty of rest opportunities. Suitable for beginners and families.

Altitude range: Up to 3,500m (11,483 ft)
Terrain: Well-maintained paths, minimal obstacles
Distance: Short hikes (3-6 km per day)
Technical Difficulty: None

MODERATE – Longer hikes with some steep sections, higher altitudes, and uneven terrain. Requires a reasonable level of fitness but no prior high-altitude trekking experience.

Altitude range: 3,500m – 4,200m (11,483 – 13,780 ft)
Terrain: Dirt trails, occasional rocky paths, stream crossings
Distance: 8-12 km per day
Technical Difficulty: Some steep ascents/descents, possible exposure to changing weather

CHALLENGING – Demanding trekking days with significant altitude gain, steep ascents, and descents. High-altitude passes and unpredictable weather conditions make this level suitable for fit and experienced hikers.

Altitude range: 4,200m – 5,000m (13,780 – 16,404 ft)
Terrain: Rocky trails, loose scree, possible snow crossings
Distance: 12-18 km per day
Technical Difficulty: Requires endurance, possible high-altitude effects, cold temperatures

DEMANDING – High-altitude, multi-day expeditions with extreme ascents and descents, challenging terrain, and unpredictable weather. Requires excellent physical condition, proper acclimatization, and prior trekking experience at high elevations.

Altitude range: Above 5,000m (16,404 ft)
Terrain: Steep climbs, exposed ridges, glacier or snow crossings in some cases
Distance: 18+ km per day
Technical Difficulty: Strenuous effort, altitude sickness risk, cold and extreme conditions

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