While everybody going through Ollantaytambo visits the Inca ruins of the same name, few visit Pinkuylluna. It’s directly across from the Ollantaytambo ruins and clearly visible. It takes about an hour to hike up and back down.

Note: Though short, the trail is very rough. Many sections have handrails, but you will have to use your hands on the rocks to climb up some parts. Sections with stairs are uneven at best.

Named for the pinkuyllu, a kind of Andean flute, these perfectly engineered storehouses have two cooling systems. The first system is a series of passageways under the floor of each of the three storehouses, designed so wind blows through and cools the floor.

The second system is the way each storehouse is built so that wind whistles along the back wall, cooling the side of the building that food was stacked against. The sound of the wind blowing through the narrow passages reportedly makes a sound similar to the pinkuyllu flute.

Practical Info

The trail is open every day from 7:30 to 4:30. Around 4pm the guardian hikes up to the top and starts to herd people to the exit.

This is a free archeological site.