Long before the Incas ruled Cusco, another people built a whole planned city just south of it. That city is Pikillaqta. Its straight streets and tall stone walls still stand today, about 40 minutes from town.
This guide explains what Pikillaqta is, how to get there, its hours, the ticket you need and the site rules. Every detail below was taken from DDC Cusco, the PROMPERÚ Cusco guide and the COSITUC price list. We checked them on 24 October 2026. This is an independent guide, not the official peru.travel site.
What is Pikillaqta?
Pikillaqta is an archaeological park built by the Wari culture. In other words, it is pre-Inca. According to PROMPERÚ, the city reached its peak between around AD 800 and 1100.
The Ministry of Culture describes it as a carefully planned town. Its buildings, courtyards and plazas have square or rectangular shapes. Straight streets divide them into separate groups. In addition, walls up to 12 metres high surround these groups, so the site looks like a fortress.
A city in numbers
The park is large, so a few figures help. All of them come from the Ministry of Culture in Cusco:
| Feature | Figure |
|---|---|
| Buildings | About 700 |
| Courtyards (canchas) | About 200 |
| Storehouses (colcas) | 508 |
| Estimated population | About 10,000 people |
| Park area | 4,464 hectares |
| Average altitude | 3,190 metres |
How it was built
First, note that the Wari used uncut stone and mud mortar. Then they coated most house walls with gypsum. Some even had painted designs, including human figures. Moreover, there is evidence of buildings with two and even three floors.
Still, one walled sector stands out. It holds rows of almost identical rooms, each about 4 metres across with a single doorway. According to archaeologist McEwan, they may have housed soldiers or seasonal workers.
How to get to Pikillaqta from Cusco
Pikillaqta lies 31.8 km south of Cusco city, says the Ministry of Culture. In fact, the paved Cusco–Urcos–Puno–Arequipa highway runs right through the park. PROMPERÚ estimates about 40 minutes by car.
The site sits between the districts of Oropesa, Lucre and Andahuaylillas, in Quispicanchi province. Because it is on the same road, many visitors pair it with nearby stops. For example, PROMPERÚ lists a half-day South Valley route with Tipon, Pikillaqta and the church of San Pedro in Andahuaylillas. If you want the water temple too, read our Tipon guide.
Getting around the site
First, there is level access up to the car park. However, the ground inside is rocky, and you enter by stone steps cut into the bedrock. As a result, the Ministry of Culture says flat access for visitors with disabilities is not possible. So plan with care if anyone in your group has limited mobility.
Pikillaqta hours and tickets
The two official sources give slightly different opening times:
- Ministry of Culture in Cusco: 7:00 am to 4:30 pm.
- PROMPERÚ Cusco guide: Monday to Sunday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
So the safe plan is to arrive after 8:30 am and leave well before 4:30 pm. Then you will be inside the window both sources agree on.
Which ticket covers Pikillaqta?
Entry is with the Cusco Tourist Ticket, according to PROMPERÚ. The ticket office lists Pikillaqta in Circuit II, together with Tipon and several museums in Cusco city. If you only want this circuit, the partial ticket lasts 2 days. However, the integral ticket opens every circuit for 10 days. Our Cusco Tourist Ticket guide explains each option in plain words.
Rules inside the Wari city
The Ministry of Culture sets clear rules. So read them before you reach the gate:
- Schedule: enter and leave within the official opening window.
- Snacks: meals stay outside, so eat in the car park area first.
- Wari walls: never climb them or leave any marks.
- Pets: animals are not admitted to the park.
- Drones: flights need prior approval from DDC Cusco.
- Alcohol and drugs: both are banned on site.
- Professional shoots: commercial filming or photography needs an official permit.
- Overnight stays: camping is not allowed anywhere in the park.
Since food is not allowed, eat before you enter. Also, the site sits above 3,000 metres, so walk at a slow pace.
Tips for first-timers at Pikillaqta
First, start early in Cusco. That way you can add Tipon or Andahuaylillas on the same day. Second, keep your tourist ticket with you, because you need it at the gate. Third, take time to walk the long straight streets. They show the city plan better than any photo.
Finally, look at the walls up close. The stones are uncut and set in mud, just as the Ministry of Culture describes.
Final word on the South Valley
In short, Pikillaqta is a quiet stop that shows Cusco’s story before the Incas. It is close to the city, it fits in half a day, and it is covered by the tourist ticket. Just check the hours and rules before you leave.
Next, if you want guides and transport sorted, look at our Machu Picchu with Sacred Valley package. In addition, Fullviajes runs four-day Cusco and Machu Picchu trips. Either way, confirm hours and ticket rules with the official offices, since they can change.
