Pumamarka Ruins Private Hike and Luxury Picnic
Walk a path that winds through centuries-old Andean farmlands, past wild eucalyptus groves and tiny family plots, straight to the quiet, sunlit stone terraces of Pumamarca. This fully private 1-day hike wraps you in the slow, living history of the Sacred Valley, paired with a luxury picnic laid out just for you on a private spot overlooking the ancient ruins.
There is no rush, no pre set schedule to follow you get to trace the Inca water channels at your own pace, sit and watch the light drift over the mountains, and savor every bite of a menu made with ingredients grown by the local Quechua families who still tend these lands today. It is a day built entirely around your curiosity, your rhythm, and the quiet magic of this little-known corner of the Andes.
ALL - INCLUSIVE NARRATIVE EXPERIENCE
per person based on double occupancy
This exclusive private tour is crafted to let you meet Pumamarca on its own gentle terms, far from the noise of crowded tourist circuits. We leave Cusco in your dedicated private vehicle, gliding through the rolling Sacred Valley landscapes until we reach the small, welcoming town of Ollantaytambo. Your personal local guide born and raised in these mountains, with generations of family history tied to the surrounding lands will walk you along the well-preserved ancient trail, pointing out the small, easy to miss details that make this site so special: the faint petroglyphs carved into boulders hundreds of years ago, the wild herbs local families still harvest for teas and remedies, and the quiet stories of how Pumamarca’s terraces fed nearby communities long before modern roads reached the valley.
When you step into the ruins themselves, you will have all the time in the world to wander the perfectly aligned agricultural platforms, trace the flow of the Inca stone water channels, and find your own quiet viewpoint to sit and take in the 360-degree views of snow-dusted peaks stretching out across the horizon. Our team will have set up your luxury picnic spot on a sheltered, sun-warmed terrace nearby, draped in handwoven Quechua textiles and filled with dishes made that morning from produce sourced directly from small family farms in the valley. There are no checkpoints to rush past, no fixed time limits to leave the site every part of the day unfolds at the pace that feels right for you.
Itinerary
7:00 AM – Hotel Pickup in Cusco
Our private driver will meet you right outside your accommodation, with warm coca tea, cold bottled water, and soft extra blankets for the quiet early morning drive through the Sacred Valley. We leave exactly when you are ready, no rushed shared meeting points to wait for.
8:30 AM – Breakfast in Ollantaytambo
We arrive in the historic town of Ollantaytambo, where you sit down for a slow, homemade breakfast at a family-run spot: fluffy quinoa pancakes drizzled with local wild honey, fresh seasonal Andean fruits, and rich artisanal coffee roasted that week in Cusco.
10:00 AM – Private Hike to Pumamarca Ruins
Your local guide leads you along the ancient path, pausing whenever you want to stop to take photos, ask questions, or simply listen to the sound of the wind moving through the eucalyptus groves. They will point out tiny hidden petroglyphs, show you how local families harvest wild muña for tea, and share quiet personal stories of their own visits to these ruins as a child.
12:00 PM – Unrushed Ruins Exploration
When you reach Pumamarca, your guide walks you through every corner of the site at your pace: the perfectly engineered terraces that still hold water after hundreds of years, the intact stone water channels that once fed crops across the complex, and the quiet ceremonial platforms that look out over the entire valley. You can wander off on your own to find a private viewpoint, or stay close to learn every small detail the site holds.
1:30 PM – Luxury Picnic at the Ruins
Your private picnic spot is laid out on a sun-warmed terrace just steps from the ruins, draped in handwoven textiles, set with hand-thrown ceramic plates, and filled with a spread of fresh roasted Andean trout, heirloom potato salad tossed with local herbs, creamy artisanal cheese from nearby mountain farms, and a light, crisp Peruvian sparkling wine to toast the view. You can eat slowly, step away for a quick walk back to the ruins between bites, or simply sit and watch the clouds drift over the peaks for as long as you want.
3:30 PM – Optional Local Visit
If you feel like it, we can make a short stop at a small nearby Quechua family’s home, where you can sit and share a cup of tea while watching them weave traditional textiles on their hand loom.
5:00 PM – Hike Back to Ollantaytambo
We take the gentle downhill path at a meandering pace, stopping to rest and talk about your favorite moments from the day, before meeting our private driver at the trailhead.
6:00 PM – Dinner in the Sacred Valley
On the drive back to Cusco, we stop at a cozy family restaurant tucked between the valley fields, for a warm, seasonal dinner made almost entirely with ingredients grown right on the surrounding land.
8:00 PM – Return to Cusco
We drop you directly back at your hotel, full of quiet memories and photos, with plenty of time to rest after your day in the mountains.
Inclusions
What is included?
Inclusions
- Private, non-shared vehicle with local professional driver for the full day
- Personal bilingual (English/Spanish) local guide with deep family roots in the Sacred Valley
- Slow homemade breakfast at a family-run spot in Ollantaytambo
- Full luxury curated picnic at Pumamarca, with ingredients sourced from local valley farms
- Seasonal dinner at a small family restaurant in the Sacred Valley
- Complimentary trekking poles for every guest
- Door-to-door hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco
- Bottled water, coca tea, and artisanal coffee provided across the full day
- Small, well-stocked first-aid kit carried by your guide for emergency support
Not Included
Exclusions
- Personal travel insurance (we strongly recommend arranging your own policy before your tour date)
- Extra drinks, souvenirs, or personal purchases not listed in the inclusions
- Tips for your guide and driver (completely optional, but always appreciated if you loved the day)
- Extra unplanned side trips not pre-agreed in the original itinerary
Packing List
Packing List
- Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes with good grip for the ancient stone path
- Layered clothing: a breathable base shirt, a warm fleece, and a light waterproof shell for unexpected mountain mist
- Sun hat, sunglasses, and high-factor sunscreen — the high-altitude sun is far stronger than you expect
- Reusable water bottle (we will refill it for you all day)
- Small lightweight backpack to carry your personal items on the walk
- A thin scarf or light jacket for cool afternoon breezes at the ruins
- Camera or phone with extra battery power — cool mountain air drains batteries faster than you think
- A small notebook, if you want to jot down the quiet stories your guide shares along the way
Pricing
| Number of travelers | Total group price | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveler | $250 | $250 |
| 2 travelers | $350 | $175 |
| 3 travelers | $465 | $155 |
| 4 travelers | $540 | $135 |
| 5 travelers | $625 | $125 |
| 6 travelers (max) | $690 | $115 |
Frequently Asked Questions
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