Cusco Perolniyoq Waterfall Trip Review: Is it Worth It?

The Cusco area happens to be packed with adventures, too it’s almost tough deciding what to do. One activity, the Perolniyoq Waterfall tour, caught my eye, so I figured I would check it out. Is this trek, including views of ancient ruins plus a big waterfall, really worth your time while you’re in Peru? I took the trip, and this is what I think.

What to Expect on the Perolniyoq Waterfall Tour

First, it’s useful to paint a picture of what the average tour actually involves. Most trips begin pretty early from Cusco. A bus, typically, whisks you to the little village of Socma. It’s from here, really, that the hike itself begins. The hike, arguably, is the heart of the tour, leading up to the Perolniyoq Waterfall, but on the way, you’ll see the Perolniyoq Fortress, sometimes referred to as Incan ruins, which offer a glimpse into Incan construction.

The climb? Well, it can be a little bit challenging. The altitude may affect your energy levels a little, and the path itself involves a fair amount of uphill hiking. That said, I noticed that most people with average fitness levels seemed to manage just fine, even though there were definitely some huffing and puffing incidents. Don’t let this discourage you very much though!

Once you make it up to the waterfall, clearly the star of the show, the views happen to be remarkable. Water thunders down from quite high, making a stunning visual display. The surrounding landscape, green plus full of mountains, gives you that definite feeling of being surrounded by nature, so there’s that. Many tours usually give you some time here to take snapshots, maybe get fairly close to the falls themselves, and, I think most importantly, simply enjoy the natural beauty.

Then there’s the Incan fortress. So, while not as grand perhaps as Machu Picchu, the ruins here still offer a fascinating glimpse into ancient engineering. You’ll possibly hear something about their function in Incan times. The way the stones were worked is actually quite fascinating. It gave me a definite feeling for the culture, you know?

The Trek: Challenge and Beauty

Let’s zoom in on the hiking component a little bit. As I hinted at, it’s really not a walk in the park, yet it’s arguably not too intense, either. It’s important to wear pretty solid shoes, arguably hiking boots. The trail, basically, can be a little bit uneven underfoot in places. I’d advise layering your clothes, too, as the weather can switch up rather fast.

The air becomes noticeably thinner as you go higher. Therefore, pace yourself! Take your time. Take breaks, too, since stopping to catch your breath provides opportunities to absorb all the sights around you. Local houses, perhaps some livestock, a wide range of birdlife… there is a lot that might catch your interest as you climb.

Consider how the changing landscapes definitely enhance the experience, also. Initially, you might find yourself passing through farmland. Soon the scene becomes a little bit more rugged. Before you know it, anyway, you’re getting those great, wide open views, particularly as you approach the waterfall, which happens to be very impressive and gives the feeling of achieving something. Trust me!

Perolniyoq Fortress: A Step Back in Time

Although perhaps smaller and less famous than some, the Perolniyoq Fortress does actually offer something unique. Firstly, you get to see this construction, built hundreds of years ago, perched so high on the mountainside, plus admire the skill and work needed to erect it. Also, you can find less people, usually, which means there is a chance to explore it more peacefully.

What purposes did the fortress have, historically? Well, it possibly had multiple roles. Its position surely allowed for surveillance of the area. The buildings suggest a military element, also. Possibly it served spiritual or ceremonial functions, too. What became quite apparent as I went was that structures similar to this weren’t just piles of rock, yet they actually held huge importance within the wider community. Or that’s the feeling I got.

Do allow time to simply wander between the ruins. Study the stones closely, imagining what day to day life might actually have been like for those people who once occupied the location. Consider all of the amazing human endeavors it took. In addition, certainly pay attention to how the stonework complements and blends in, basically, with the natural surroundings. The Incas really knew what they happened to be doing!

Photographing Perolniyoq: Tips for Great Shots

Any keen photographers reading this should find this location rewarding, since Perolniyoq delivers, basically, fantastic picture opportunities all around. So to make the most of them, though, you may want to plan your equipment and tactics a little bit.

Think about what kind of shots you want. If it’s landscapes, it could be useful to bring a fairly wide-angle lens that can take in sweeping vistas, too. For details within the stonework, well, arguably a zoom lens might work very nicely. It will isolate certain aspects.

Lighting here matters quite a bit, as I’m sure is fairly obvious. Sunny days could produce nice bright pictures. Bear in mind that the harsh midday sun could also result in really hard shadows. Therefore, photos taken early or very late in the day will likely show a gentler kind of light.

Be mindful and also think a bit about composition. Apply those well-known photography guidelines such as thirds. Watch how things actually line up together inside the viewfinder or on that little display. Use the setting in front of you to come up with unusual or creative viewpoints, because unusual viewpoints almost always tend to grab a person’s attention.

Is the Perolniyoq Waterfall Tour Worth It? My Verdict

So to sum up, my opinion of this particular excursion tends to be mostly positive. Anyone who appreciates nature and outdoor exercises, and anybody who possesses a tiny amount of enthusiasm for older buildings, surely will enjoy themselves! Even though a lot depends upon what specifically you need from any tour.

The trip definitely provides something a little bit different from the busier trips which typically depart Cusco. The area sees far fewer visitors in the region compared with somewhere like the Sacred Valley, as a matter of fact. This may give you a welcome feeling that you are getting off those regular beaten tracks. The hiking does entail some level of effort, sure, yet anyone who stays active, reasonably, on a consistent basis should come away quite fine with just a moderate fitness level.

Is it better, let’s say, than experiencing Machu Picchu itself? I think they both have different appeals and characteristics. If you’re choosing which one to see with little available time, probably, maybe, you may be best off experiencing that wonder of the ancient Incas. However, when you happen to have a few additional days free around Cusco, I certainly think that you would see enough here for this lesser known tour to be really worth your while. Especially in view of the fantastic scenes that you’re going to get at that great big thundering waterfall.

• Scenery: The waterfall, plus mountain surroundings, is stunning.
• Ruins: Provides another less known perspective of the Incan civilization.
• Activity Level: Should suit individuals who are able to handle a fair uphill walk.
• Value: For a break, actually, from tourist hotspots near Cusco this rates really highly!

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