Sayacmarca
Sayacmarca
4.5
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4.5
69 reviews
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Komator
Barcelona, Spain902 contributions
Sept 2022
You reach Sayacmarca on your second or third day of the 4-day Inca Trail (depending on the concrete stops you do). It's an impressive fortress in the middle of the Andes, with an awesome view.
You need to be a bit physically fit since you have to climb (again) lots of stairs (and you've been walking quite a lot before that).
You need to be a bit physically fit since you have to climb (again) lots of stairs (and you've been walking quite a lot before that).
Written 5 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johann&Sandra
8,264 contributions
Sept 2011 • Couples
Accessed only on foot via the Classic Inca Trail, you'll pass Sayacmarca on the second day of your four day hike, after passing over Dead Woman's Pass and Runkuraqay. It is a very nice ruins site providing spectacular views of the valley below. The only unfortunate thing is that the view is sometimes obstructed by mist, and that you're so exhausted after the two passes that all you can think about is your camp and rest, so you don't spend as much time here as you might otherwise.
Sayacmarca "Dominant Town" was a fortress, originally built by the Colla, before their conquest by the Incas. It has a sun temple and agricultural terraces. A nice rest stop before the camp on a clear day.
Sayacmarca "Dominant Town" was a fortress, originally built by the Colla, before their conquest by the Incas. It has a sun temple and agricultural terraces. A nice rest stop before the camp on a clear day.
Written 25 September 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IA_Hawks
Iowa2,278 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
Outside of Huayna Picchu, Sayacmarca has the scariest stairs to get to the site only there is no cable or rope to hold.
Once you are there, you are rewarded with a great view of the valley so I recommend getting over any fear you may have and step your way to the top.
As the other sites that we visited were built on the side of the mountains, this one appears to be build almost vertical out of the mountain itself making the construction of this site even more impressive.
Once you are there, you are rewarded with a great view of the valley so I recommend getting over any fear you may have and step your way to the top.
As the other sites that we visited were built on the side of the mountains, this one appears to be build almost vertical out of the mountain itself making the construction of this site even more impressive.
Written 23 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robjustrob
Calgary, Canada1,934 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
sayacmarca affords one of the nicest views of the mountains and canyons around machu picchu, so dont miss it if you are travelling all the way down there to peru
Written 13 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Indiana_Jonesse
San Francisco, CA7,050 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
Our guide pointed out that Sayacmarca (UP) and Conchamarca mean below (seashell). This is at 11,800 feet high, a new name discovered by an Archeologist named Pearl Pecors (Spelling?) Sayacmarca means inaccessible. It was a function for the army sector. This is a well-preserved Inkan town. We were able to access this at the beginning of our third day on the hike. Again, you can only access this while hiking the Inka Trail. If you look on the map, it will be after the second pass after Chaquiqocha.
Written 4 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fiona B
Richmond Hill NSW Australia19 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
The ruins are amazing and view of Cusco is brilliant! It's only a short bus ride out of Cusco so definitely worthwhile.
Written 2 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vpar4
High Point, NC178 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
A mini detour (via some steep and narrow steps) along the Inca Trail on Day 3. It is worth the effort for expansive views and the ability to wander through the ruins. When we arrived, we were the only 2 at the site, so it was special to be able to walk around in complete silence.
Written 7 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
seagullrob
Scarborough, Australia5,921 contributions
Mar 2018 • Solo
As others have noted, the ruins of Sayacmarca come on day 2 of the Inca trail, after you've already gone through the 2 high passes, including the highest on the entire trek - Dead Woman's Pass.
So you may not feel like tackling another set of quite steep steps to see yet more Inca ruins, especially when you the know the best - Machu Picchu itself - is yet to come.
My advice - make the effort. The ruins are rather spectacular, and chances are, you'll never be here again.
They overlook another set of ruins - Qonchamarka - but you'll see them from the track anyway.
Sayacmarca is pretty big - I spent about half an hour to go all around it.
It's very close to the next camp (and the ruins are visible from the camp), so you don't have all that far to go after it. Hang on to that knowledge, grit your teeth, and climb those stairs!
So you may not feel like tackling another set of quite steep steps to see yet more Inca ruins, especially when you the know the best - Machu Picchu itself - is yet to come.
My advice - make the effort. The ruins are rather spectacular, and chances are, you'll never be here again.
They overlook another set of ruins - Qonchamarka - but you'll see them from the track anyway.
Sayacmarca is pretty big - I spent about half an hour to go all around it.
It's very close to the next camp (and the ruins are visible from the camp), so you don't have all that far to go after it. Hang on to that knowledge, grit your teeth, and climb those stairs!
Written 6 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
drronline
Martinez, GA523 contributions
Apr 2016 • Family
Lots of Steps to get to this one, but the view is worth it. Amazing view, the stonework is "out of this world."
Written 18 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,722 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
From the site you can look down into the fantastic scenery of the valley. Just splendid views and worth all of your photos.
Written 23 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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