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: 2026-04-21 01:29 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Not recommended for flying, cloud base ~536 m, wind 7 km/h, precipitation 10.2 mm.
base ~536m · wind 7 km/h · precip 10.2mmNot recommended for flying, cloud base ~477 m, wind 7 km/h, precipitation 7.5 mm.
base ~477m · wind 7 km/h · precip 7.5mmNot recommended for flying, cloud base ~572 m, wind 8 km/h, precipitation 2.2 mm.
base ~572m · wind 8 km/h · precip 2.2mmComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-21⚠️ Marginal · peak 63 at 11h
- Cloud cover >85% — no radiation to trigger thermals
⏰ 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: 11:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 8.9°C · Td: 4.7°C
LCL (cloud base): 525 m
BL top: 855 m
0°C level: 5090 m
Approximate profile from surface variables + synoptic levels. Red lines = temperature, dashed blue = dew point. Orange bands = detected inversions.
🌬 Daily wind (next days)
Daily summary (10m wind). Full hour × altitude chart is being added progressively.
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)