The devil’s balcony is a free tourist attraction in the city of Cusco. It is located almost 5 kilometers on foot from the Main Square, in the Sacsayhuaman sector. It offers Inca rock formations as well as natural landscapes of great beauty. It also allows the opportunity to hike and other adventure sports. The place is visited mainly by Cusco citizens and a few foreign visitors.

• What is the devil’s balcony?
• Where is it?
• How to get there?
• Inca constructions
• Natural landscapes
• Climate
• Photo Gallery
• What to wear?
• More information about the Devil’s Balcony

Devil’s Balcony – Cusco

What is the devil’s balcony?

• The Devil’s Balcony is a natural tourist attraction located in the archaeological park of Sacsayhuaman in Cusco.
• Its name refers to a cavern located in a 50-meter cliff. This has a mysterious shape, which was baptized as ‘devil’s balcony’.
• This ‘balcony’ offers a beautiful landscape typical of the Andes Mountains. Some legends mention that this place was the gateway to the city of Cusco in Inca times.
• The truth is that in the place there are stone formations that were used by the Incas as material for their buildings and temples.
• There is also a cave formation crossed by the Chankan River, which can be crossed by visitors. In other words, this tourist attraction combines Inca constructions, beautiful landscapes, and adventure.
• Even so, few foreign tourists visit it. Most of the visitors are the cusqueños themselves. Entrance is free.

Where is it?

• The balcony of the devil is located in the archaeological park of Sacsayhuaman, an immense area that includes more than thirty-three archaeological sites including the famous fortress of Sacsayhuaman.
• The Devil’s Balcony is about 5 kilometers from the center of the city of Cusco. It belongs to the Chankan community, on the outskirts of the city of Cusco.
• The place is crossed by the famous Chankan river.

How to get there?

The best way to get to the balcony of the devil is to do it on foot (almost 2 hours of walking). To do this, you must follow the following path:

• From Cusco’s Main Square you must ascend on foot to the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman (approximately a 40-minute walk along Resbalosa street).
• Then you must follow the section that goes to the community of Fortaleza (30 minutes) .
• Finally, you must finish the walk to the balcony of the devil (route another 30 minutes). To get to the place you must cross fields and even lagoons. Any resident of the site can give you references.

Inca constructions

• In the lower part of the devil’s balcony you can see a stone bench with Inca carvings. These served for the Incas to make important buildings such as temples and enclosures in the Sacsayhuaman sector.
• In addition, the devil’s balcony itself has Inca carvings that show that the place was considered important by the Incas.
• Its shape is triangular (about two meters for each side). Its interior is shaped like a room. There it is believed that the Incas performed religious ceremonies for their deities (the river, the mountains, the lagoons, etc.).

Natural landscapes

• The Devil’s Balcony is located at 3,750 meters above sea level, about 350 meters higher than the city of Cusco. At this altitude you can see a blue sky, high mountains, green fields and more.
• Also, in the lower part of the devil’s balcony there is a tunnel formed by erosion. The Chankán River crosses there. Some tourists also like to cross it and enjoy the beautiful stone structure formed thousands of years ago.

Climate

• The weather on this visit is temperate cold. On the day when tourists arrive the temperature varies between 10ºC. and 23ºC., depending on the time of year you go. The rains are more frequent from November to April. The rest of the year the rains are less frequent, it is the so-called dry season (from May to October).

Photo Gallery

What to wear?

During your visit to the balcony of the devil, do not forget to take the following with you:

• Comfortable sports clothing (light).
• Comfortable and resistant shoes.
• Cap or hat.
• Sunscreen.
• Mosquito repellent.
• Sandals (for going through the tunnel).
• Raincoat in case of rain.
• Snacks.
• Rehydrating drinks.
• Cash.

More information about the Devil’s Balcony

• The Devil’s Balcony is a place located on the outskirts of the city of Cusco. Although it rarely happens, theft can happen. Therefore, it is recommended to go in a group or accompanied by a tour guide.
• Don’t feel like walking so much? You can take a public transport bus (the company ‘Señor del Huerto’ or ‘Cristo Blanco’) that will take you to Sacsayhuaman from the city of Cusco (cost of only 1 Peruvian sol). From there you can just start the walk to the devil’s balcony. Thus the total distance traveled will be less, and so will the fatigue.
• The Saphy River also runs through the Devil’s Balcony area. This famous river is the one that also runs through the Main Square of the city of Cusco at the bottom. Yes, under the main square there is a river.

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 15, 2024