Waqrapukara is located in the province of Acomayo, south of Cusco, on top of a mountain at the foot of the Apurímac river canyon, at a height of 4,300 meters above sea level.
Due to the horn-shaped rock formation and its location on the top of the mountain, Waqrapukara is said to have served as a religious shrine and fortress.
The exact date of Waqrapukara’s construction is unknown. The first paths and enclosures must have been created by the canchis centuries before the Inca empire was founded in 1438. The main temples and platforms are said to have been erected during the reign of Emperor Tupac Yupanqui.
The purpose of this fortress has not yet been discovered through research, however, it is possible to locate different Inca roads that lead to it. Also, along the journey you can discover Inca sites such as Tambopukara, Yactapukara and Ayapukara, indicating that this was an important sacred place.
If you enjoy the unknown and authentic, this is your place, since you will see enclosures, temples, canals, platforms, stairs and more during your tour.
To avoid altitude sickness, we recommend spending a few days in Cusco and being fit for hiking before embarking on this trip.
Cusco Hotel Transfer
0500 AM
We will pick you up from your hotel in our private transport and take you through the South Valley of Cusco, where you can see some of the lagoons along the way. We will stop at the Pomacanchi lagoon to have breakfast with a beautiful view of the lagoon.
After breakfast, we will continue our trip to Huayqui, where the trek to Waqrapukara begins. The trek will begin with a modest climb through the Apurimac canyon.
On the way, we will make a small stop so you can see some Andean cave paintings that are still preserved.
Our local expert will give you a detailed tour of the complex when we arrive in Waqrapukara. We will take you to tour the main square of the complex and other precincts of the high elite Inca. You will also visit the platforms of Wiracocha, the Supreme God of the Inca Empire and the platforms that are located in the lower part of the fortress.
Once you have enjoyed the guided tour and the amazing views from the top, we will begin our trek back to Huayqui. Here we will pause here to enjoy a delicious lunch.
We will take you back to Cusco after lunch. We will leave you near the Plaza de Armas, the main center of the city.
