Province of Calca: Inca Heritage, Hot Springs and Nature

The Province of Calca brings together a variety of discoveries: Inca architecture, thermal pools, hiking access routes and a remarkable stand of Puya de Raimondi. The province is part of the Valle Sagrado de los Incas tourist circuit. When planning your trip, it is worth deciding first which experiences you want to focus on: archaeological sites, time at hot springs or routes to unique natural sites. These interests can help guide you when choosing where to stay.

Inca Sites and Their Distinctive Features

The Parque Arqueológico de Pisac is located in the town of Pisac in the Province of Calca. It is considered an astronomical observatory and Inca heritage site associated with the Inca Pachacútec. If you are interested in this place, you can make it a focus of your trip. From Pisac’s main square, a paved road runs 9.3 kilometres to the archaeological park; the drive in a private car takes about 15 minutes.

Huchuy Qosqo, also known as Qaqyaqawana, is another example of Inca architecture. The complex includes terraces and ceremonial platforms. The Zona Arqueológica Urqo has a different character: this Inca site comprises terraces, a tower and the carved Huaca Wiracocha Urqo. The Unu Urqo water festival is celebrated at the Zona Arqueológica Urqo in October. These varied features—the architectural complex, terraces, tower and festival—offer different points of interest for a culturally focused trip.

Hot Springs and Excursions at Your Own Pace

The Baños Termales de Lares have six thermal pools. Their temperatures range from 35 °C to 48 °C, and there are campsites around the hot springs. Machacancha is another hot spring attraction in the district of Calca.

A horseback riding tour through the province offers the opportunity to visit Lamay, Calca or Lares. You can also take the places you would like to visit on the horseback riding tour into account when choosing where to stay.

Hiking Access and Natural Highlights

The route to Huchuy Qosqo from Lamay is described as a six-kilometre hiking trail that takes about three hours to walk. Another walking route leads from the Chuquibamba turnoff to the Cascada Natural de Sirenachayuq: the final approach is 650 metres long and takes about 25 minutes. These figures give you two concrete measures for planning your day. The first approach is described as a longer hiking trail, the second as a short final walk; each walking time and distance should be associated with the route specified.

The Rodal de Puyas de Raimondi in Pampacorral offers a nature experience of its own. It is home to around 1,200 specimens of the protected Puya de Raimondi. The plants bloom only about once every 100 years; observing the puyas is the stated purpose of a visit to the stand. The Área de Conservación Privada “Pampacorral” includes the Puya de Raimondi stand. Visitors interested in plants and nature conservation will find a different focus here than at the archaeological sites or thermal pools.

Choose Your Base According to Your Travel Interests

The experiences in the Province of Calca differ not only in subject matter but also in the access routes described: for Pisac, a drive in a private car and an approximate journey time are given; for Urqo, a route with two sections is described; and for Huchuy Qosqo and the Cascada Natural de Sirenachayuq, walking routes are given with their own distances and walking times. Use these specific details to organise your excursions, and choose a holiday rental based on the places and activities that interest you most. A horseback riding tour with Lamay, Calca or Lares as a possible destination offers another planning option.

Manto is also a place in the province to bear in mind. You can find more destinations under Manto, Province of Paucartambo, Quispicanchi, Pisac, Aguas Calientes and Espinar.

For the broader travel overview: Cuzco.