Sacsayhuamán
Saksaywaman · Cusco, Peru (hill north of the city)
The Inca megalithic walls north of Cusco: huge stones fitted so tightly without mortar that you can't slip a coin between them.
Know before you go
- Don't climb or sit on the wall's boulders
- don't take stones away
- don't casually photograph local people in traditional dress — ask first (a tip may be expected)
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
Legend
The head of the puma city
According to Inca oral history recorded in Spanish chronicles, Pachacuti called Cusco the 'city of the lion' (usually understood as the puma): the meeting of two rivers was its tail, the great square and surrounding houses its body, but it lacked a head. His son Túpac Inca later decided to build a fortress on the heights north of the city as the finest head for this puma — Saksaywaman.
Source: Wikipedia: Saksaywaman
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
According to Inca oral history recorded in Spanish chronicles, the fortress was built under Pachacuti and his successors Túpac Inca and Huayna Capac. In the 15th century the Incas built dry-stone walls here from huge boulders, carefully shaped and fitted together without mortar. Spanish chroniclers recorded that 4,000 workers quarried the stone and 6,000 hauled it to the site with leather ropes and agave-fibre cables; some blocks are more than 12 feet wide and 20 feet long.
Local customs
Every 24 June, Inti Raymi (the Festival of the Sun) re-enacts Inca ceremonies here
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Peru: carry ID at all times
- Carry your passport or a valid ID document
- Going out without ID
You must show it when police ask, or you may be taken to the nearest police station.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Peru travel advice
Peru: photographing military targets is illegal
- Put your camera away when you see a military area
- Photographing any military facilities or personnel
Can mean 2 to 5 years in prison.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Peru travel advice
Peru: coca leaves and coca tea cannot be taken out of the country
- Just drink coca tea while you are there
- Taking coca leaves or coca tea out of Peru
- Carrying luggage for someone else
Coca products may not be taken out of Peru; drug convictions bring long prison sentences.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Peru travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Don't climb or sit on the wall's boulders
- don't take stones away
- don't casually photograph local people in traditional dress — ask first (a tip may be expected)
Locals appreciate DO
People in Cusco appreciate visitors who respect Inca sites and don't climb the walls.
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Best time | Morning |
|---|---|
| Time needed | 1.5 hours |
Travel tips
- Entry is with the Cusco tourist ticket (boleto turístico)
- it's about half an hour's uphill walk from the Plaza de Armas
- Cusco is at about 3,400 m, so take it slowly when you arrive
- during Inti Raymi in June prices are high and crowds big, so book seats in advance
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