The waterfalls and water cascades are another impressive creations of nature, they are well known for their height or volume of water, there are some that have no name, much less are visited and are hidden in the shadow of the high mountains.

In all the long list of waterfalls that Cusco has definitely five are the sites that at least every fan of adventure travel should visit in Cusco.

THE FIVE BEST WATERFALLS OF CUSCO

1. Farallones de Tecsecocha Waterfall 
2. Poc Poc Waterfall
3. Perolniyoc Waterfall
4. Arin Waterfall
5. Sirenachayoq Waterfall

1. FARALLONES DE TECSECOCHA WATERFALL

The cliffs and waterfall of Tecsecocha both are located 1 hour and a half in the district of Ccorca starting from the city of Cusco by car.

This attraction is located at 3600 meters above sea level and if you are not used to or familiar with the high Andean zones, it is advisable to acclimatize first in the city of Cusco.

You will be able to enjoy:

• The waterfall
• Geological formations
• Cave paintings
• Tombs dating from the Inca period located at the base of the cliffs.

The Farallones de Tecsecocha in Cusco have a height from 35 meters to 85 meters, climbing to the crests of the Farallones you can enjoy a beautiful spectacle over the mountains and the entire valley of Ccorca. The waterfall measures approx. 50 meters.

Activities you can do

The fun in this place is guaranteed, because of the different activities you can do.

• The Zip Line
• Rappel
• Trekking
• Biking

Entrance

Access to the Farallones and the waterfall is free of charge. One way to support the development of the families living in the area is to make a purchase of what they are selling

2. POC POC WATERFALL

The Poc Poc waterfall is located 2 km north of the town of Chinchero, province of Urubamba – Cusco.

The waterfall is located at 3400 meters above sea level, with a height of 30 meters.

How to get to the Poc Poc waterfall?

From the city of Cusco you can travel by bus to the town of Chinchero with a cost of 6 soles approximately, on the other hand, you can take a private car, but with a slightly higher cost.

The road to the Poc Poc waterfall starts from one side of the market of Chinchero, but for those who have never had the opportunity to know the park of Chinchero, in addition to its temple of Monserrat then this is a good opportunity to know it. All Cusqueños have free access to the park, prior identification and for those who are not from Cusco; the entrance to the park is included in the partial ticket of the Sacred Valley that has a cost of S/.40 for Peruvian and S/.70 for foreigners. After the visit to the park, you have to continue to Poc Poc.

Two options to return to Cusco from Poc Poc Waterfall

• Option 1

Return to Chinchero by the same route. If it took 1:30 hours to get to the Poc Poc waterfall, returning to Chinchero would take 2 hours because the hike is uphill for about 2 km and can be a bit tiring.

• Option 2

 If you do not want to return to Chinchero, then from the waterfall, do not lose the way down. You will pass by an artisanal fish farm and along the way you may see some loggers working in this corner of the Urquillos valley. In fact, this is the complete route and there are 5 km more to go until you reach Urquillos.

When you arrive you can take the buses or motorcycle cabs to Huayllabamba and then to the town of Yucay and so on to the city of Cusco.

What to see at the Poc Poc waterfall?

It is impressive to see the waters falling down a rocky wall and hear the roar of the water. The vegetation becomes even thicker and the atmosphere more temperate in this hidden ravine at the foot of Antaykilka Mountain. In addition, what is most striking are the trees overhanging the abyss, as if they were hanging next to the waterfall.

Now there is already a bridge with a wooden railing over the small river that forms from the waterfall. The breezes from the waterfall blow out and bathe everything that surrounds it. The more daring travelers may be able to enter the waterfall, but the base of the waterfall is not wide and it can be slippery so you have to be very careful. Anyway, getting here is an opportunity to enjoy the scenery, take pictures and get away from everyday life.

Entrance

The visit to the falls is free of charge.

3. PEROLNIYOC WATERFALL

The Perolniyoc Waterfall is located very close to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Cusco, this place is highly recommended for nature lovers.

It has a fall of approximately 100 meters, forming a beautiful white veil of pure and crystalline water, it is located at approximately 3,520 meters above sea level.

 How to get to Perolniyoq waterfall?

To get to this place you must first take a public bus from the city of Cusco to Ollantaytambo.

At this point you must take a cab that leaves you in the town of Socma, where you will begin your walk along a road until you reach the waterfall, the hike lasts approximately 1 hour.

What to see at Perolniyoc waterfall?

• Perolniyoc waterfall has one of the best landscapes; its waterfall resembles a bride’s veil. You can take impressive pictures.
• In addition, you can refresh yourself in its waters and spend a relaxing moment.
• On the other hand, at the top of the waterfall, there is an archaeological site of Perolniyoc, also called ‘Raqaypata‘.

Entrance

The entrance to the waterfall and the archaeological site is very free.

4. ARIN WATERFALL

It is located 5.6 kilometers from the province of Calca in the Cusco region, exactly in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

How to get to the Arin Waterfall?

To get to the Arin Waterfall you must take a transport that will take you to Urubamba. From there we will take another transport that goes to Calca and we will get off the bus in Arin, from where we will have a 30-minute walk to reach the waterfall of the same name.

Once we arrive at the waterfall, we will walk towards the viewpoint, from where we will have a better view of the waterfall of Arin.

While we go to the viewpoint, we will be able to observe a small and beautiful cathedral; where it is also possible to enter.

Entrance

The entrance fee to Arin Falls is free of charge

5. SIRENACHAYOQ WATERFALL

It is located approximately 42 km from Cusco city at 2930 masl, in the district of Lamay, community of Chuquibamba.

How to get to the Sirenachayoq waterfall?

First, we have to take a transport that goes to Calca, the trip lasts approximately 45 minutes approximately, and we will descend from the transport in the parking lot that is near the entrance of the trek to the waterfall of Sirenachayoq.

From this point, we start the hike parallel to a Huánuco river, passing through the door of a hacienda, and during the journey we will pass by some small trees that provide shade along the way.

Walking to the waterfall takes 40 to 50 minutes approximately, on the way you can take a rest on the wooden benches made by the local people.

What to see at Sirenachayoq waterfall?

The waterfall has two falls, the main one is approximately 100 meters high and the second one is lower. A small pool is formed with the two waterfalls of the waterfall, where you can enter, but it is difficult to reach, because the stone is slippery.

In addition, the waterfall is naturally decorated by some plants hanging from the overhanging trees at the top of the waterfall.

Entrance

The entrance fee to the waterfall is 5 soles adults and 3 soles children, there is a person in charge who will be collecting the income right at the starting point of the walk