Poc Poc waterfall in Cusco

The Poc Poc waterfall is one of the most beautiful natural destinations in the Sacred Valley of Cusco. It is only a 3 kilometer hike from the textile artisan town of Chinchero. This new tourist attraction in Cusco has been offered to national and foreign tourists since 2022.

The hike to the Poc Poc waterfall is through a part of the famous Inca trail that connected in ancient times the town of Chinchero in the high Andean zone with the town of Urquillos, located in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Poc Poc waterfall

Detailed information about the Poc Poc waterfall in Cusco

• Driving distance from Cusco: (18 Miles / 29 KM)
• Driving time: 2 hours round trip.
• Entrance price: 2 soles
• Elevation of the beginning of the Trek: 3,762 meters / 12342 feet.
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
• Trail: Dirt and cobblestone trail, all downhill from Chinchero to Urquillos town.
• Walking distance: 10 KM.
• Horse rental: It does not exist
• Walking time: Walking to waterfall (with some breaks along the way) is approx. 1 hour. After all, you hike downhill to Urquillos for 3 hours.
• Maximum elevation: 3,762 meters / 12342 feet.
• Tour duration: 8 hours.
• Elevation difference during the hike: 800 metres/2624 feet.

Where is the Poc Poc waterfall?

This beautiful high Andean waterfall is located 29 kilometers from Cusco. More precisely, it is located 3 kilometers walking from the town of textile artisans of Chinchero. There is an old pre-Hispanic trail that connects the town of Chinchero with the Poc Poc waterfall and the beautiful town of Urquillos in the sacred valley.

What can I see around the waterfall?

During the memory of the Poc Poc waterfall and between the section from Chinchero to Urquillos, you will observe part of the archaeological complex of Chinchero, potato plantations, small waterfalls, the hydraulic and civil engineering that the Incas used to build their Inca trails. You will also see huge eucalyptus trees, chachacomos, many varieties of flowers and huge fields of corn.

Can I take a dip in the waterfall?

If it is allowed to bathe in the Poc Poc Cusco waterfall, however, keep in mind that the water comes from the mountains and therefore is freezing; In addition, the pool formed by the waterfall is not so wide and is full of slippery stones. Take your precautions!

There are two options to return to Cusco from the Poc Poc Waterfall

Option 1

It is to return to Chinchero by the same path of going. The way to go is only going down and you descend about 300 meters, which you would have to ascend if you decide to return to Cusco through Chinchero, this could be very exhausting.

Chinchero ruins

Option 2

In case you no longer want to return to Chinchero, then from the base of the waterfall, you should continue on the path that goes down to the floor of the sacred valley. You pass by an artisanal fish farm and from time to time you see some loggers working in that corner of the Urquillos valley. Once you arrive at the first houses in the Urquillos valley, you can rent motorcycle taxis that will take you to the Urquillos square, from where the cars leave for Cusco.

Finally, before leaving Urquillos, you could stop by a Chichería to try a frutillada or corn chicha from the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Urquillos

Where can I eat?

This tourist circuit has several points where you could have lunch. If you return to Chinchero, you will find a wide range of typical food and also tourist restaurants.
If you decide to go down to Urquillos, you can have lunch at the fish farm where they raise trout and which is located 1 hour from the Poc Poc waterfall or already in the town of Urquillos.

How long does the whole ride take?

The tour to the Poc Poc waterfall begins with the hike from Chinchero around 8 am and ends with the arrival in Urquillos around 4 pm.

What is the best season to visit?

The Poc Poc waterfall is beautiful and impressive throughout the year, however the time when its fall has the greatest amount of water is between the months of December to April, because it is the rainy season in the Peruvian Andes.

Is there cell phone signal?

In the entire stretch of the walk there is a signal, however inside the waterfall, due to the narrowness of the ravine, internet connections and telephone signals disappear.

Difficulty of the hike to the Poc Poc waterfall?

The hike is considered to be of a non-demanding level. However, the section down to Urquillos is long and in some sections there are paths with a lot of gravel.

How to get to the Poc Poc waterfall on your own?

From the city of Cusco you can travel in collective cars to the town of Chinchero. These vans leave from a small terminal, located next to the Belenpampa health center, in Santiago – Cusco. This small terminal is located 15 minutes walk from the historic center. The ticket cost is 5 soles per person.

The other alternative is to hire a private car to Chinchero, you can hire these services in Pavitos street, just 7 minutes from the main square of Cusco. The cost is about 60 soles for the service.

The path to the Poc Poc waterfall starts from the side of the traditional Chinchero market. You will pass by some Inca terraces and local potato crops. From this point the main path is one and has small detours that today are well signposted, so getting lost is really impossible.

How to get there with a travel agency?

If you want to travel in a different and safe way to the Poc Poc waterfall, then hire the services of a travel agency. The cost of this tour to the Poc Poc waterfall is between 80 and 100 dollars per person and includes private transportation, hiking guide, lunch, entrance ticket, snacks, and walking sticks.