This amazing site is part of our Classic 4-Day Inca Trail. The ancient ruins of Phuyupatamarca are known as “the city among the clouds”, because of its peculiar location. Read next a full description of this incredible place and all it has to offer!
Phuyupatamarca, Inca Ruins Among the Clouds
Phuyupatamarca, A magical place full of culture.
This site is located at a 12.040 feet (3.670 meters) altitude above sea level. From there, you will have an immense, vast view of the entire valley, with its rows of massive green mountains, and will also be immersed in a completely quiet, peaceful, energetic natural environment.
These ruins of the Incas comprise 15 constructions, 6 of them being ritual baths for the priests who lived in the complex. The site seems to be closely related to the worship of water, which was fundamental for the Incas since the bulk of their economy was agriculture. Visitors will find there too a marvelous system of irrigation, used to cultivate on the classic terraces they carved over the mountainsides.
There are also two small squares and two amazing gazers, from which visitors will be able to admire the entire splendour of Andean landscapes, and even other sites like Intipata and Winaywayna. Huayna Picchu mountain, the higher inside the Machu Picchu citadel, can also be seen on the distant horizon.
Getting at Phuyupatamarca on the Classic Trail
Explore ancient ruins and enjoy Andean nature.
On day 3, after reaching and touring the almost inaccessible Sayacmarca stone complex (great adventure!), we go down until Phuyupatamarca, some 3 hours of spectacular hiking. It is called “city in the clouds” because the mist of the jungle border, which is lower, goes up and around, creating a quite unique natural scenery.
Our 4-day itinerary includes a tour of the site with professional guiding in English.
From then on, the Classic 4-Day Trail continues trekking until the astonishing Winaywayna, an Inca settlement of magnificent architecture, with plenty of agricultural terraces, administration offices and barns. Day 3 ends sleeping at a camp there, after some 24 miles (15 km) of priceless hike. Finally, on day 4, the Trail marches towards the Inti Punku (Sun Gate), the entrance to the Machu Picchu site back in the day. Getting there trekkers will enjoy the magnificent view and take classic pictures with the citadel on the background.
Follows the unforgettable tour of the Machu Picchu site for about 2 hours and then you’ll have until early evening (6 pm) to thoroughly enjoy the Aguas Calientes village and its many very nice activities.
Phuyupatamarca, the “city in the clouds”, is one top attraction included in the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail. Book one as soon as you can and get to visit this and several other majestic Inca ruins!
