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Colegota CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Patallacta

Mountain

Along the Inca Trail in the Cusco region, Patallacta is a ruined Inca site visited by trekkers as a pre-Machu Picchu stop, notable for terracing, stone walls and river valleys.

Patallacta CuscoMachu PicchuLimaArequipaPunoNazcaIcaIquitosPatallacta
In this guide

Patallacta essentials

Country: Peru
Driest months: May-Jul
Pay in: Sol (S/.)
Language: Spanish, Quechua

Patallacta at a Glance

When to Go

Best Time to Visit Patallacta

Best visited during the Andean dry season (May-September) for firm trails and clearer views; afternoons can warm quickly at lower elevations.

Dry season
May-September · 6-22°C
Clear skies and cool mornings; trails firm and views of the Urubamba valley sharp.
Shoulder months
April, October · 8-24°C
Short rains can appear but crowds thin; vegetation is green and the site feels private.

Weather & Climate near Patallacta

Climate

Patallacta's climate is classified as Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) - Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 7°C to 25°C. Abundant rainfall (1073 mm/year), wettest in February with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 60 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
JuneJulyMay
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
27°
Warmest Month
3°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Good 10° - 23° 16° 186 mm overcast 86% 1.5 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.7h
February Good 10° - 23° 16° 198 mm overcast 87% 1.6 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.4h
March Good 10° - 23° 16° 166 mm overcast 87% 1.5 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.1h
April Very Good 9° - 24° 17° 81 mm partly cloudy 85% 1.5 m/s 2.2 extreme 11.7h
May Excellent 8° - 24° 16° 22 mm some cloud 82% 1.4 m/s 2.1 extreme 11.4h
June Ideal 7° - 24° 16° 11 mm some cloud 78% 1.4 m/s 1.9 very high 11.2h
July Ideal 7° - 24° 16° 18 mm mostly sunny 75% 1.5 m/s 1.9 very high 11.3h
August Excellent 8° - 25° 16° 22 mm some cloud 70% 1.7 m/s 2.2 extreme 11.6h
September Excellent 9° - 24° 16° 38 mm partly cloudy 72% 1.9 m/s 2.3 extreme 11.9h
October Very Good 10° - 25° 18° 73 mm partly cloudy 76% 1.9 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.3h
November Very Good 10° - 25° 17° 99 mm partly cloudy 78% 1.8 m/s 2.7 extreme 12.6h
December Good 10° - 23° 17° 159 mm overcast 84% 1.7 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.8h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Patallacta

Patallacta is usually reached along the railway corridor between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu. Hikers on the Inca Trail encounter the site as part of the route; independent visitors typically continue by foot from the Hidroeléctrica train stop - a 2-3 hour walk uphill along trails and farm roads, or a short taxi from Ollantaytambo followed by a steep ascent. There is no formal visitor center with ticketing at Patallacta; access is informal and typically integrated into broader travel plans for the Sacred Valley.

Tips for Visiting Patallacta

  • Start early: the site sits at about 2,800-3,000 m elevation; morning light makes the stonework glow and the path is cooler.
  • If coming from Hidroeléctrica, allow an extra hour for the uphill walk-Patallacta sits above the valley and the last stretch is steep and rocky.
  • Look for the wear grooves on lower terrace stones and the shallow stone channels-these clues reveal Patallacta's former role as a waystation and agricultural control point.
  • Combine the visit with a stop at Ollantaytambo or the small museum in Cusco to contextualize the ceramics and masonry styles.