Pisac Indian Market

The Sacred Valley town of Pisac was once a lofty Inca citadel. These days, it attracts shoppers rather than warriors, with its popular Sunday-morning handicrafts market.

After touring Pisac’s Inca site, dramatically set on a mountain spur an hour’s hike above the village, get ready to haggle and barter at the market.

Finger puppets, pan pipes, woven ponchos, rugs, shawls, hats, jewelry, ceramics - you name it, you’ll find it. Villagers from throughout the Sacred Valley come here to barter and sell produce, so the market has a lively everyday feel to it, rather than being geared to tourism.

The main market is on Sunday, with smaller markets held on Tuesday and Thursday. Sunday is also a good time to see locals wearing colorful traditional dress as they are led out of Mass by the town mayor holding his silver staff of office. The hubbub really hits the market after Mass finishes, at around 11am.

Practical Info

Pisac is 32km (20 miles) northeast of Cusco in the Sacred Valley. Catch a minibus from Cusco (one hour), hire a cab or join a market tour.