In short
- DIY travel costs 20-30 PEN one way but requires bringing your own winter camping gear.
- Guided tours cost $150 to $350 USD and include private transport and cold-weather equipment.
- Minibuses to the trailhead at San Pedro de Casta only depart around 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
In this article
Getting to Marcahuasi from Lima takes about four hours by road. Your choice between a tour and independent travel comes down to budget and whether you own extreme cold-weather camping equipment.
How do you get to Marcahuasi independently?
You must take a colectivo to Chosica, then a local minibus to San Pedro de Casta.
First, catch a colectivo from Paseo Colón or Javier Prado in Lima to Parque Echenique in Chosica. This takes about one hour. Next, board a local minibus to San Pedro de Casta, which takes three more hours. These minibuses depart around 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. You must time your arrival in Chosica carefully. The total trip costs 20 to 30 PEN one way.
What does a Marcahuasi tour from Lima include?
Tours typically provide private 4x4 transport, guided hikes, meals, and heavy-duty winter camping gear.
Booking a 2-day guided excursion costs between $150 and $350 USD. This option is highly recommended if you lack high-altitude equipment. Nighttime temperatures on the plateau frequently drop below 0°C. Tours supply the required -10°C sleeping bags and four-season tents. These tents are designed to withstand harsh mountain winds. Local gear rental in San Pedro de Casta is limited.
Cost and convenience comparison: Tour vs. DIY
Independent travel saves money, while tours save time and eliminate gear logistics.
DIY travelers pay around 40 to 60 PEN round trip for buses, plus the 20 PEN entrance fee. Tour passengers pay a higher upfront price but avoid carrying heavy tents and navigating rigid bus schedules.
Can you do a day trip to Marcahuasi from Lima?
Yes, but expect a very long 10 to 14-hour day in transit and hiking.
Several operators offer full-day 4x4 trips to the plateau. These tours leave Lima early to allow for the four-hour drive. You then face a two to four-hour hike up to the 4,000-meter elevation. While day trips skip the freezing overnight temperatures, you will spend most of your time traveling.
How hard is the hike once you reach San Pedro de Casta?
The hike takes two to four hours depending on your chosen route.
Whether you arrive by tour or local bus, you start hiking at 3,180 meters. You can choose the gradual Long Trail to the Amphitheater or the steep Short Trail to the Monument to Humanity. Independent hikers can rent horses or donkeys in town for 15 to 20 PEN to carry heavy gear.
Which option is safer for high altitudes?
Tours offer added safety through trained guides and emergency equipment like oxygen cylinders.
Both options require you to acclimate properly to the 4,000-meter altitude. Many private excursions include first aid kits and oxygen. If you travel independently, you must pack your own altitude sickness medication and coca leaves. You are responsible for monitoring your own symptoms.
Questions travellers ask
How much does it cost to enter Marcahuasi?
The official entrance fee is 20 PEN for foreign tourists and 10 PEN for Peruvian adults. Students and minors pay 5 PEN. Camping on the plateau is included in this entry fee.
Where do minibuses depart for San Pedro de Casta?
Minibuses depart from Parque Echenique in Chosica at approximately 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. They take about three hours to reach the trailhead town.
Do I need a guide for the trail?
A guide is not strictly required. The trails from San Pedro de Casta are established, but a guide offers logistical support and context for the ancient pre-Columbian chullpas.
