The town of Chinchero, like Ollantaytambo, is built on top of ancient pre-Hispanic settlements. This archaeological site was located along an important route connected to access toward Machu Picchu, and it was an urban center that can still be appreciated today around its church and main square.
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Chinchero was built on the ruins of a village that belonged to the Killke culture, a pre-Inca people dedicated to agriculture and the herding of South American camelids. This ethnic group opposed the Incas taking possession of their lands.
Over time, the Incas took control of the place and incorporated it into the Tahuantinsuyo. Inca Tupac Yupanqui ordered the construction of various enclosures for his use and that of the royal family. With the arrival of the Spaniards, the Inca settlements were looted and destroyed, and Chinchero was no exception.
However, it was Manco Inca who ordered the site to be burned during the resistance against the Spaniards in 1536, in an attempt to gain time so that the Inca people could escape from the Spaniards into the jungle, where they lived for quite some time.
When the Spanish colony was established, the town of Chinchero was inhabited by Spaniards, and haciendas were built on the ruins of the Inca city. One of the main constructions is the church of the town of Chinchero, which was built on top of the Inca palace. This colonial church has a Baroque style and houses a collection of paintings made by the Cusco artist Diego Quispe Tito.
Chinchero is 30 kilometers from the city of Cusco, about 40 minutes away by car. It sits at an altitude of 3,762 meters above sea level.
Chinchero was an important urban center whose main core was located where the church stands today. In the surrounding area, you can see walls made of fitted polygonal stones that form retaining walls shaping the terraces. You can also see large halls with windows, niches, doorways, and access points.
The Chinchero archaeological site covers up to 43 hectares, where terraces, platforms, roads, water channels, and temples can be found. In the area, there are also the remains of three shrines called Titiqaqa, Pumaqaqa, and Chincana, which are enormous limestone rock outcrops carefully carved by the ancient Peruvians.
In the main square of Chinchero, the combination of Inca and colonial architecture stands out at first sight. In front of the church rises an Inca wall with 10 trapezoidal niches that have been preserved to this day. These were once part of what used to be the Palace of Tupac Yupanqui.
The colonial church is another of the attractions you can find in Chinchero. It was built on top of the remains of the Palace of Tupac Yupanqui, and its origin is usually dated to 1572, during the government of Viceroy Toledo. This church is mainly decorated with Cusco religious art, featuring original works by renowned artists such as Diego Quispe Tito and Francisco Chihuantito.
Every Sunday, a market takes place in the town of Chinchero where locals participate by bringing their products to sell or exchange, following the ancient Inca trade system known as barter. At this market, you will find a variety of local textiles, where the Inca textile tradition can still be observed.
Poc Poc is located approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes on foot from Chinchero, where you can observe agricultural terraces, its colonial church, and a wide panoramic view.
From the archaeological complex, there are signposts that can guide you to the Poc Poc waterfall for better orientation. The walk to the waterfalls offers panoramic views of the valley and a variety of local flora and fauna. In addition, the route is not very exhausting because most of the trail is downhill, making it accessible for most people.
To return, you have two options: you can go back along the same path, but it will be more tiring because it is uphill; the second option is to continue the trail from the waterfall until you reach the nearest place, which is Urquillos. There, you can find transportation that will take you to Cusco or Urubamba.
The best season to visit the Poc Poc waterfall is from May to October because the weather is dry and perfect for a better hike.
Monday to Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Admission to Chinchero is included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket.
Chinchero has a semi-dry climate, so the best time to visit is in the morning, when the sun is not as strong, since in the afternoons there is usually more wind, which can make the visit less comfortable for travelers.
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