Perolniyoc Waterfall Hike

Perolniyoc Waterfall Hike is tucked away in magical Sacred Valley of the incas. The waterfall itself is beautiful and worth the effort, but too there are some Inca sites en-route and on top of the falls that make this adventure trek all the better.

This all day excursion passes by the fascinating site of Ñaupa Iglesia, the small village of Soqma, the beautiful Perolniyoc Waterfall, and continues up to the Raqaypata Inca Sites. These Inca ruins actually sit on top of the cliffs that house this waterfall. The trek up to the ruins will leave you breathless, as they sit just shy of 12,000 ft with an ascent of over 3,350 ft.

This hidden gem hike in the Sacred Valley can be hiked anytime of the year. Be prepared for a long, but picturesque day. Between the whimsical Perolniyoc Waterfall and the intriguing Inca ruins of Raqaypata, this trek is a must while hiking and exploring the Sacred Valley.

Location:

Perolniyoc are located in the Socma community, Ollantaytambo district and Urubamba province. It is located 80 km northeast of the city of Cusco.

Etymology of the name:

Perolniyoc is the name that the local people gave to the waterfall, and from where the archaeological site also takes its name. This is due to the two “holes” or hollows that resemble coppers through which the water falls and runs.

Perolniyoc Waterfall

Perolniyoc Waterfall

Ollantaytambo also offers adventure tourist attractions. The Perolniyoc Falls is a natural attraction that includes a short trekking route. The Perolniyoc Waterfalls are a very beautiful natural attraction located on the outskirts of Ollantaytambo. You get there on your own or through an adventure tour.

The falls have a waterfall of more than 100 meters high. The beauty of the place is one of the favorite attractions of the locals. The water of the Perolniyoc Waterfall, falls on a stream of water, of little depth, that is populated with medium rocks.

We will find a great variety of flora on the Perolniyoc Cascade, among which the elderberry, the qeuña and the chachacomo stand out. The base of the waterfall is located at 3460 meters above sea level.

Perolniyoc Waterfull Hike

Perolniyoc Hike

After a casual stroll along the railroad tracks, reach the road that leads to the small village of Soqma (Socma). Walk along the first bend in the road until you see a small hiking path. Don’t continue along the paved road into Soqma, rather take the dirt hiking path. This trail runs parallel to the village.

This hiking trail is well trotted and provides some nice, distant views of Soqma. The dirt path is lovely and winds past a few homes. As you continue along the path, keep your eyes peeled for those first epic glimpses of Raqaypata on the towering hillside.

The path eventually comes to a stream, which make an ideal place to replenish water. Make sure to use your filter as this is prime farm land, with lots of “presents” that have been left by the cattle. Cross the stream and look to the right. There is a very distinct uphill path that leads to the Perolniyoc Waterfall (Catarata Perolniyoc). The trail is steep, but there are some “rock steps,” which come in handy!

How to get to the Perolniyoc Cascade?

Perolniyoc is a 30-minute walk from the town of Socma. You can get there by a short drive from Ollantaytambo or 1 hour and a half from the city of Cusco. The visit to this Perolniyoc Cascade is currently offered as part of trekking tours, such as the Inca Quarry Trek, that together with other places, make up a six-hour circuit. However, if the traveler does not want to opt for one of these tours and only wants to enjoy the resource on his own, he can also do so.

To get to the Perolniyoc Cascade, the traveler has to leave from the Ollantaytambo district or Cusco, towards the peasant community of Socma; this path can be easily followed in a car. After reaching Socma, you must continue on foot to the waterfall. You can ask for references to the residents, or request their accompaniment towards the waterfall, too you can book with us. It takes no more than half an hour to complete the pedestrian path to Perolniyoc.

Raqaypata Inca Sites

Raqaypata Inca Sites

The Raqaypata Archaeological Park is free and is quite small, so it doesn’t require a lot of time to explore the site. There is also an information board in Spanish that greets you at the entrance of the park. On the board, find photos that explains some landmarks of the park. It’s crazy to think of the building mastery of the Incas, since this site not only sits on top of the Perolniyoc Waterfall, but these feats were completed at an altitude close to 12,000 feet (3,645 m).

After exploring the small, but interesting Inca site of Raqaypata, grab a spot on the grass and enjoy a picnic. Appreciate all the stunning 360° views and the crumbling ruins that make the Perolniyoc Waterfall hike worth it.

Don’t Miss Ñaupa Iglesia

Ñaupa Iglesia

If walking from Pachar to Soqma, don’t miss a chance to visit the fascinating site of Ñaupa Iglesia, or Choquequilla, which is built seamlessly into a large cave. There are a few small ruins that are left behind, but what’s most interesting is the almost “out of place” alter at the entrance. This black stone is engraved with some seriously advanced stone work. Some elders say this intricate chisel work is too advanced for the Inca civilization and this sacred place may actually pre-date the Inca dynasty.

Inside the cave look for the peculiar “portal” on the side of the cave wall. Some say this carving is actually a dimensional portal that has ties to Egypt, a wormhole if you will. What’s really special is the energy you can immediately feel upon stepping foot into this special space. This site is worth a quick pitstop before exploring Perolniyoc Waterfall and Raqaypata. From Ñaupa Iglesia, exit and continue along on the railroad tracks. These tracks lead to the trailhead in Soqma.

Do I need to buy a ticket to visit the Perolniyoc Waterfall?

You do not need to buy an entrance ticket to visit the Perolniyoc falls. You just need to get to the place and enjoy the beauty of the landscape.

The entrance to the Perolniyoc Waterfall is free of cost. This can be visited during any time of the year, and although there are no entry restrictions, it is recommended that visits be made in the morning.