Chillca: Inca Trail, Trekking and Andean History

Chillca is a Quechua-speaking farming community on a historic route towards the ruins of Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail passes through Chillca and crosses a variety of ecological zones, from barren highland areas to Andean cloud forest. There are also footpaths, trekking stages and historic sites. If you are looking for a holiday apartment or house in Chillca, these different interests may help you decide: would you like to focus on a hike, the scenery along the Inca Trail or the history of the community?

On foot along the Inca Trail

One specific route starts at kilometer 82 in Chillca: from there, a 3.5-kilometer footpath leads towards the Salapunku astronomical viewpoint. It follows the Piscacucho–Machu Picchu Inca Trail. This connects Chillca to a clearly identified section of the historic route, while the trail beyond passes through changing ecological zones. Along the Inca Trail, the landscape ranges from barren highland areas to Andean cloud forest, so the route is not limited to a single type of landscape.

The historic mule trail from Piscacucho to the ruins of Machu Picchu also passes through Chillca, among other places, and is used for tourism because of its historic value. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu also provides on-foot access to its citadel; the historic route includes Chillca as well.

Ancascocha Trek and stages

Chillca is also the endpoint of a described section of the Ancascocha trekking route. On the fourth day, this route descends to Chillca over approximately five hours. The approximate duration and the fact that it is a descent give this stage a different profile from the shorter footpath starting at kilometer 82. When choosing accommodation, the main consideration is therefore the kind of trip you want: a stay focused on the historic trail or a trip where Chillca features as the endpoint of a trekking stage.

A published Ancascocha trekking itinerary also lists a train journey to Aguas Calientes at around 4 p.m. as a possible continuation from Chillca. This itinerary gives a concrete idea of what onward travel after a trekking stage could look like. The train journey should be understood as an option in this published itinerary, not as a general statement about every route or travel plan.

Historic sites in the community

In addition to its trails, Chillca offers historical points of interest that differ from its scenery and trekking attractions. The Machu Hacienda in the community includes a system of terraces and colcas. These sites are part of the town’s historic character and complement exploring the Inca Trail with a perspective on earlier building and land-use practices.

In the Ollantaytambo Archaeological Park, the former manor house of the Hacienda de Chilca is one of the buildings of high architectural and historical value. It is a former manor house, and its historical significance makes it a fitting point of interest for visitors interested in culture. Together with the terraces and colcas of the Machu Hacienda, it offers a distinct area of interest alongside the walking and trekking routes.

Getting there and local roads

The stated road route from Cusco via Ollantaytambo to kilometer 82 in Chillca covers 106 kilometers; the estimated driving time is 2 hours and 43 minutes. Two local roads are also named for getting around the area: the road from Chillca to Ancascocha is 3.759 kilometers long, and the one from Chillca to Palomar is 1.261 kilometers long. Both roads are classified as being in regular condition. These figures distinguish the longer journey via Ollantaytambo from the shorter local connections.

When choosing where to stay, you can consider which of these travel options matters most to you: the footpath to Salapunku, a stage of the Ancascocha route or the historic sites. This way, you can tailor your search for a holiday rental in Chillca to the experiences you have planned, without treating the different trails and sights as a single excursion.

Discover more places

More places: Ollantaytambo, Oroya, Checacupe, Las Cruces, Urubamba, Huaro, Manire, Yucay.

For the broader travel overview: Cuzco.