Pikillacta and Rumicolca

Location:
32 kilometers from Cusco
Cusco, Peru

Ruin, Historical Building

V!VA User‘s Description

Much of the ancient Inca's organizational expertise and city planning talents originated from the pre-Inca Huari Empire, which dominated the lands of Peru from 500 to 1000 A.D. An interesting example of Huari engineering is Rumicolca, an ancient aqueduct poised on a valley pass on the side of the highway, about 32 kilometers from Cusco. After their rise to power, the Incas converted this ancient water channel into a massive gateway to Cusco. Not far from Rumicolca is Pikillacta, the largest provincial outpost ever built by the Ayacucho-based Huari and one of the only pre-Inca sites of importance near Cusco. Were it not included on the Cusco Tourist Ticket, this 47-hectare, adobe-walled compound might go unnoticed; however, it affords visitors a great opportunity to check out pre-Inca architecture. Though little is known about the site's history, we can tell you that the little turquoise figurines displayed in Cusco’s Museo Inka, were discovered here.

Getting There

Price Description: Entry with the Cusco Tourist Ticket.

Open Hours from:7 a.m.

Open Hours to:5:30 p.m.

Days Closed:none