Piquillacta (pikillacta) a place to meet – Guia Machu Picchu

Meaning and Location of Pikillacta (Piquillacta)

Piquillacta is a compound Quechua word: piki, chigger/flea, and llaqta, town or village. That is, “town of fleas,” but since in Quechua speech piki also refers metaphorically to something tiny, it could mean “flea town” or “small town.” The peculiar name of this place may also be due to the small circular enclosures used as seed storehouses.

It is located in the district of Lucre, Quispicanchi province, 33 km (60 minutes) southeast of Cusco at an altitude of 3,150 meters above sea level (masl).

The Archaeological Park

Piquillacta is a pre-Inca archaeological park featuring walls over 4 meters high.

The ‘City of Fleas’ is the most important pre-Inca archaeological site in Cusco. It belonged to the Wari culture and consists of 700 structures (walls reach up to 12 meters in height). These were built following a complex system based on right angles. Furthermore, studies reveal that many of the walls were covered in plaster (from a nearby mine) and painted bright red.

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The City of Fleas was an engineering marvel for its time… its straight and seemingly endless streets, its walls and partitions, its designated pedestrian walkways, its location near the lagoon, and its spectacular views make it a site truly worth visiting.

A Place to Discover

After visiting Machu Picchu, it might seem that nothing could surprise us, yet the vast Piquillacta will leave you open-mouthed. Built by a pre-Columbian civilization, you cannot help but marvel at its vastness and history. The outer wall at the far end resembles the Great Wall of China. The geometric street layout is equally striking. If a local caretaker shares stories with you, you will appreciate the site even more and want to spend hours walking through it.

If you tour the South Valley, the excursion will certainly visit this archaeological center. It is a fascinating site that provides rich insights into the pre-Inca cultures that inhabited the region. A truly captivating destination. These ruins are part of the tour known as the South Valley and are included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket.

How to get to Piquillacta by car