Main Info
OVERVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS:
Waqrapukara, whose name comes from Quechua where “waqra” means ‘horn’ and “pukara” translates as ‘fortress’, is a structure that has a shape similar to that of a horn. In July 2017, the Ministry of Culture recognized it as Cultural Heritage of the Nation. This archaeological site is located in the district of Acos, province of Acomayo and department of Cusco, near the Apurimac River at 4 300 m.a.s.l. It was built by the Qanchi nation and later conquered by the Incas.
Waqrapukara is a new and recently promoted tourist attraction in Cusco located in the province of Acomayo near the Apurimac River at 4,300 masl. (14,107 ft.), south of the city of Cusco.
Waqrapukara has not yet been deciphered and can be considered as a fortress, a sanctuary or an astronomical observatory. It was originally created by the Quinchas and conquered by the Incas. This tour will take you to a different and unusual destination, where you will enjoy the spectacular landscapes, different lagoons, chasms of the Apurímac Canyon, and you will also connect with nature and the energy of this amazing place.
INCLUDED
- Professional Bilingual English-speaking tour guide
- Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before your trek
- Pick up from your hotel and transportation to the beginning of the trek
- Return transportation to your Cusco hotel
- Breakfast and Box Lunch (Local restaurant)
- Entrance ticket to Waqrapukara
- Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit
- 01 Trekking pole
- Vegetarian and Free gluten options available
NOT INCLUDED
- Personals Snacks.
- Tips – Gratuities
- Travel Insurance
WHAT TO BRING AND ADVICES
- You can acclimate for the altitude in one or two days this will depend on how your body react; you can take some personal medication.
- In case you need to pay the remaining balance, it is advisable to take some cash. You can get some money from the ATM machine that are located in the centre of the City of Cusco.
- Rain poncho, rain jacket, proper hiking boots.Proper warm clothes, at that altitude is quite cold and windy a bandana will be helpful.
- Sun Glasses.
- Sun block. The sun is really strong You will need to protect your head (with a hat) and skin.
- Extra snacks always recommended.
- A bottle of water.
- Travel insurance this from your site, always recommended.
Itinerary
Download BrochureWe will pick you up early from your Cusco hotel around 4am and set out on a drive through the South Valley. The drive to the trailhead (4,326 m / 14,189 ft) is 3 hours long. On the way, in Cusipata town, we will provide you breakfast at the local restaurant. Then we will continue to Santa Lucia (3,623 m / 13,287 ft) where we will take the road passing by Pomacanchi lake, then we will start the hike for approximately 2 hours where we will hike appreciating the Apurímac Canyon, on the arrival we will explore the Inca Temples of Waqrapukara and we will enjoy the views of this amazing place. We will enjoy our box lunch and see the landscape. We will have free time to enjoy this impressive sacred place for 1,5 hours. After that, we will start in the same way for about 2 hours. Our driver will be waiting for us at the same place and we will return to Cusco around 6pm approximately. Important: The route could change according to the weather, for the rainy season.
Meals: Breakfast and Box Lunch
Night: Not included
ACTIVITY LEVEL: moderate to hard.
WALKING DISTANCE: 6 km
WALKING TIME: 3&4 hours
MINIMUM ELEVATION: 3,710m/ 12,171 ft
MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 4,300m/14,107 ft
