Major city · Peru
Patacancha
Go for a half-day guided tour from Ollantaytambo to see traditional Quechua weaving and daily life. Not worth an overnight unless you arrange a homestay.
Patacancha is a Quechua village in the Sacred Valley where weaving, farming and cattle-raising follow centuries-old traditions. Most visitors come on a half-day guided tour from Ollantaytambo (about 30 min by combi) to see a traditional house, watch natural-dye weaving and buy handwoven textiles. Independent travel is possible but challenging: very little Spanish is spoken and public transport is limited to early Wednesday and Friday combis.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PEN
- Best months
- May–Sep (dry season)
- avoid Nov–Mar (rainy season, trails muddy)
- Airport
- CUZ
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Peru ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Peru's migration authority (Migraciones) or a Peruvian consulate; keep the entry record you receive, as hotels may ask for it.
- Peru ↗Machu Picchu entry is by timed ticket for a named circuit, with daily caps; in high season tickets sell out weeks or months ahead. Buy tickets only from the official Ministry of Culture seller or a licensed agency.
- Peru ↗The classic Inca Trail needs a permit booked through a licensed operator, often months ahead; the trail closes every February for maintenance.
- Peru ↗Altitude sickness is common above 2,500 m: ascend gradually, rest on day one, and ask a doctor before travel if you have heart or lung conditions.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Patacancha105 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Patacancha, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN, S/).Peru-wide
- SIM or eSIMClaro, Movistar, Entel and Bitel sell prepaid SIMs; register with your passport at official shops.Peru-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; bottled or filtered.Peru-wide
- TippingRestaurants: About 10% if service is not included.Peru-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Peru-wide
- SafetyPatacancha is safe; the main risks are altitude (about 3,800 m) and limited transport.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; carry tissue and coins for public toilets.Peru-wide
- Emergency numbers105 police · 116 fire · 106 ambulance (samu) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; strikes can shut roads and shops.Peru-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCUZ Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (Fly to Cusco, then bus or taxi to Ollantaytambo (about 1.5 h).
- Getting aroundOn foot within the village.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedHostel bed in Ollantaytambo, a night, per personPEN 30
- Mid-range bedHomestay in Patacancha (arranged via Awamaki), a night, per personPEN 80
- High-end bedHomestay in Patacancha (arranged via Awamaki), a night, per personPEN 120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PEN 30 · Mid PEN 100 · High PEN 200
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CUZ Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (Fly to Cusco, then bus or taxi to Ollantaytambo (about 1.5 h). Patacancha has no airport.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Mar
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Jun (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Jun (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Patacancha: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
18 rd
Feb
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
16 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
15 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
3 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
3 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
4 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
15 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
17 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot within the village. To reach it: combi from Ollantaytambo early Wed/Fri (about 6 am) or hike 4–5 hours from Patacalle. Drivers may give a lift for a few soles but are not guaranteed.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 30 min by combi
Combi or hike back (4–5 hours)
Base for Patacancha tours; Inca fortress and town.
Maras
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Combi to Ollantaytambo, then taxi or tour
Salt pans and Moray terraces.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ollantaytambo (base)
All accommodation is in Ollantaytambo; Patacancha itself has no hotels, only homestays arranged through Awamaki.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- S/ 30–60 (transport and snack)
- Mid
- S/ 100–200 (guided tour with lunch)
Trip budget
| Hostel bed in Ollantaytambo1 × 1 night × PEN 50 | PEN 50 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × PEN 100 | PEN 100 |
| Guided tour (half day, with lunch)1 × PEN 200 · US$50–65 equivalent at 3.7 PEN/USD | PEN 200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PEN 35 |
| Trip total≈ PEN 385 per person per day, bed included | PEN 385 |
2026 estimate in soles; guided tour costs US$50–65. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Combi Ollantaytambo → Patacanchacheck | S/ 5–10 |
| Guided tour (half day, no lunch)check | US$50 (about S/ 185) |
| Guided tour (half day, with lunch)check | US$65 (about S/ 240) |
| Handwoven textilecheck | S/ 30–150 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Very little Spanish spoken; Quechua is the main language.
- Public transport to Patacancha is limited to early Wednesday and Friday combis.
- Photograph people only with permission; the community allows visitors, so be respectful.
- Guided tours cost US$50–65 (with lunch) and benefit the NGO Awamaki; book in Ollantaytambo.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 105
- Fire
- 116
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 106
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
PatacanchaPatacancha
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Patacancha-man, allichuTo Patacancha, please
Emergency
- Police105
- Fire116
- Ambulance (SAMU)106
Embassy
Embassies are in Lima; the US has a consulate in Cusco (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Combi Ollantaytambo → Patacancha: S/ 5–10, early Wed/Fri only (check)
- Taxi Ollantaytambo → Patacancha: S/ 40–60 (check)
Say or show
- Allinllachu — Hello (ah-yeen-yah-choo)
- Añay — Thank you (ah-nye)
- Hayk'a? — How much? (hike-ah)
- Arí — Yes (ah-ree)
- Mana — No (mah-nah)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Patacancha. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep (dry season) · avoid Nov–Mar (rainy season, trails muddy) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place page with verified tour operator details (Awamaki).
- Eat page with local food options.
- Homestay page with booking info.
Sources
Ask about Patacancha
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