The Province of Calca offers a range of reasons to plan your stay: Inca architecture, thermal baths, routes to archaeological sites, and nature observation. You can therefore plan your trip around the places you want to visit and their respective access options, rather than turning all the locations into one fixed route.
Calca in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
The Province of Calca is part of the Sacred Valley of the Incas tourist circuit. Within this context, archaeological sites, thermal baths, and nature-related activities are distinct travel interests.
Inca Sites with Distinctive Features
The Pisac Archaeological Park is located in the town of Pisac in the Province of Calca. It is now described as an astronomical observatory and is considered Inca heritage associated with the Inca Pachacútec. Huchuy Qosqo, also called Qaqyaqawana, is an Inca architectural complex with terraces and ceremonial platforms. The Urqo Archaeological Zone is an Inca site with terraces, a tower, and the carved Huaca Wiracocha Urqo.
Comparing their features can help you choose according to your interests: Huchuy Qosqo is characterized by its terraces and ceremonial platforms, while Urqo also has a tower and huaca. Pisac, in turn, is associated with its description as an astronomical observatory and its connection to Pachacútec. Despite their shared Inca heritage, the sites therefore differ in the specific elements that make each one archaeologically distinctive.
Plan for Routes and Travel Time
The routes to the sites require different amounts of time. A 6 km hiking trail leads from Lamay to Huchuy Qosqo; the walk takes about three hours. The final approach to the Sirenachayuq Natural Waterfall starts at the Chuquibamba turnoff and involves a 650 m walk, taking about 25 minutes. This means there is a multi-hour hiking route as well as a shorter final walk; for the waterfall, the stated time refers specifically to this final section.
To reach the Urqo Archaeological Zone, first take a 2 km paved road from Calca’s main square to the road junction. From there, the site can be reached by private car over a further 3.95 km. Road conditions may vary; check them before setting out. The route from Pisac’s main square to the Pisac Archaeological Park is 9.3 km long, follows a paved road, and takes about 15 minutes by private car. Actual travel time may vary.
Thermal Baths in Lares and Calca
The Lares Thermal Baths have six thermal pools with temperatures ranging from 35°C to 48°C; water temperatures may vary. There are campsites around the thermal springs. Machacancha is a thermal bath attraction in the District of Calca. The available points of reference therefore differ for planning purposes: Lares can be described by the number of pools and their temperature range, while Machacancha is identified by its location in the District of Calca and its thermal bath character.
Puya de Raimondi and Horseback Riding Tours
Around 1,200 specimens of the protected Puya de Raimondi species grow in the Puya de Raimondi grove in Pampacorral. The plants bloom only about once every 100 years, and observing them is the purpose of a visit to the grove. The “Pampacorral” Private Conservation Area encompasses the Puya de Raimondi population. Observing the plants and their rare bloom are distinct aspects; the bloom is stated to occur at intervals of about 100 years.
A horseback riding tour through the Province of Calca offers the opportunity to visit Lamay, Calca, or Lares. Since the availability of these tours may change, ask about current options in advance.
Discover more destinations: Manto, Espinar, Aguas Calientes, Province of Paucartambo, Quispicanchi, Pisac
Return to the main travel overview: Cuzco.
