Cerro Sacro
📍 Cusco , Provincia de Urubamba · Nearest city: Yucay (5 km)
53 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 3864 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
-13.35730, -72.11050Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-19 16:17 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
No recomendable para volar, base de cúmulos ~581 m, viento 8 km/h, precipitación 12.4 mm.
base ~581m · wind 8 km/h · precip 12.4mmNo recomendable para volar, base de cúmulos ~380 m, viento 7 km/h, precipitación 17.7 mm.
base ~380m · wind 7 km/h · precip 17.7mmNo recomendable para volar, base de cúmulos ~447 m, viento 6 km/h, precipitación 10.9 mm.
base ~447m · wind 6 km/h · precip 10.9mmComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-20❌ Not recommended · peak 78 at 19h
- Cobertura nubosa >85% — sin radiación para disparar
- Cloud suck alto (80/100) — base bajo freezing con CU
⏰ Useful window: 09:00 – 16:00
| 08 48 | 09 53 | 10 63 ☁️⚠️ | 11 63 ☁️⚠️ | 12 70 ☁️⚠️ | 13 15 | 14 9 | 15 6 | 16 14 | 17 73 | 18 63 | 19 78 | 20 55 |
Peak 19h: CAPE 20 J/kg · LI -0.4 · BL top 15 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 4176 m · 0°C at 5190 m · Pro score 49/100
2026-04-21⚠️ Marginal · peak 63 at 11h
- Cobertura nubosa >85% — sin radiación para disparar
⏰ Useful window: 09:00 – 16:00
| 08 53 | 09 53 | 10 53 | 11 63 | 12 14 | 13 10 | 14 13 | 15 14 | 16 53 | 17 63 | 18 55 | 19 50 | 20 50 |
Peak 11h: CAPE 220 J/kg · LI -1.5 · BL top 855 m · w* 8.0 m/s · cloud base 4389 m · 0°C at 5090 m · Pro score 60/100 · sun 49° over slope
Hourly flyability (0–100). ⛈️ = storm risk · ☁️⚠️ = cloud suck · 🏔️ = active ridge lift. CAPE = convective energy, LI = stability, BL top = thermal ceiling, w* = estimated dry thermal velocity. Source: Open-Meteo (ECMWF/GFS/ICON blend model).
Estimated vertical profile (Sounding)
Reference time: 19:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 6.0°C · Td: 3.5°C
LCL (cloud base): 312 m
BL top: 15 m
0°C level: 5190 m
Approximate profile from surface variables + synoptic levels. Red lines = temperature, dashed blue = dew point. Orange bands = detected inversions.
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 2 | Low |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.86 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.39 | Slope faces north in southern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Real takeoff terrain
| SRTM elevation | 3871 m AMSL |
| Average slope | 11.7° |
| Slope aspect | 213° (SW) |
| Hemisphere | south — Orientation unfavorable for direct solar thermals |
Derived from SRTM 30m (NASA).
Takeoff description
A not-so-grassy slope with room for 2 to 4 gliders. Nice inclination. Lines can get caught with roots and outcropping rocks, but not too bad. There are a few telecom towers just besides the slope.
Pilot comments
This is currently the main site in Cusco region for both solo and tandem pilots. It is a challenging site! Be careful! All the conditions can vary quite a lot, wind direction strength weather dust devils etc. You can never be sure until you are in the air. It is a awesome site to brush up skills, but so not advisable for beginners, as seldom the flights are easy and calm.
Nearby sites
Valle Sagrado Incas (22) · Ancahuasi (9) · Abancay (7) · Sondor (7) · Ayacucho (55) · Pampa de Quinua (8)