Pachatusan, Mountain summit in Calca Province, Peru
Pachatusan is a mountain summit in Calca Province that rises to 4,842 meters in the Peruvian Andes. From its upper slopes, visitors can see across to Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
The mountain received official recognition as a National Cultural Heritage site in 2009. This designation marks its importance to the region's cultural identity.
The name comes from the Quechua words 'pacha' and 'tusa', referring to its role as an earth support and reflecting how indigenous people understood natural formations. This naming shows how local communities connected their landscape to spiritual and natural ideas.
Access to the mountain begins on Road 3 east of Cusco, passes through Sayalla village, and continues toward the Tipon archaeological site entrance. The best time to climb is during drier months when conditions are more stable.
A lake at roughly 4,100 meters altitude serves as a natural resting point for climbers during the ascent. This spot offers a good place to spend the night and prepare for the final stretch to the summit.
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