Humantay Full Day Tour
Full Day
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WAQRAPUKARA TOUR 1 DAY CUSCO
Full Day Short Hike
23 reviews
WAQRAPUKARA TOUR 1 DAY CUSCO
Full Day Short Hike
23 reviews
Altitude
3300 msnm
Departure
Cusco
Physical Level
3/5
Duration
Full Day
Group Size
8 persons
Seasson
All Year
Accomodation
Trip Style
Hiking
Overview
Tour to Waqrapukara: If you are tired of the traditional tours that take place in Cusco, then live with us this full day excursion to an imperial and unique attraction, known as Waqrapukara; “Waqra” means horn and “Pukara” is equivalent to a watchtower in the Quechua language, reason why we can say that in Inca times this archaeological complex was a military watchtower in the shape of a horn; This place is located on top of a mountain at 4,300 meters above sea level.
This tour includes pick up from your hotel very early at 4:30am approx. then we will go by bus to the southeast of Cusco for approximately 3 hours, we will arrive to a small town known as Chuquicahuana, where we will have a local breakfast, then we will continue driving until we finally arrive to Pomacanchi Lake so you can be super impressed with the natural beauty of this “Mirror Lake”, also our guide will explain a little bit about the flora and fauna of this lake.
After visiting the Pomacanchi Lake, we will go by bus to a small village called Rinconada, from this place we will start our adventure on foot, we will walk for approximately 3 hours to reach the archaeological site of Waqrapukara, where you will have an amazing experience, not suitable for people who suffer from acrophobia and vertigo.
Travelers wishing to book this hike and/or short trek to Huacrapucara are required to be in good physical condition and with good acclimatization to the altitude.
Itinerary
WAQRAPUCARA ITINERARY 01 DAY
It is a new tourist attraction whose mysteries have not yet been deciphered and that allows a magnificent view of the night sky, populated by constellations, planets and stars of enormous value in the Inca cosmovision;
Fortress, sanctuary, astronomical observatory are the interpretations of this enigmatic monument of the classic Inca architecture that is located at 4, 300 meters above sea level, in the abysses of the canyon of the Apurimac River, south of the city of Cusco.
Day 1: Cusco – Chuquicahuana – Acomayo – Acos – Waqrapukara – Cusco
Very early, at about 03:30 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco to head south east of the city to the town of Acomayo where we will stop for a succulent local breakfast, then we will continue our journey to the point where we will start walking for about 3 hours at an altitude of 12 000 feet through the meadows of Cusco to our final destination: The ancient Inca fortress of Waqrapukara, approximately 11:00 Hrs.
After a short rest we will have enough time to visit and learn more about this mystic and religious archaeological site, at about 13:30 Hrs., after a comforting lunch, we start our descent, the private transportation will be waiting for us to finally arrive to Cusco around 19:00 Hrs.
What will we see in Waqrapukara 1 day?
- Incredible mountain scenery
- Beautiful rock formations
- Great views of the sacred mountains
- Flora and wildlife
- Visiting local villages
Recommendations before our trek
You will have a full briefing with your guide 1 or 2 days prior to your tour to Waqrapukara. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you can take this opportunity to ask questions and make any final preparations.
Included
- Briefing prior to the tour
- Pick up from your hotel in Cusco
- Transportation.
- Professional guide
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- First aid kit
- Oxygen balloon
No Included
- Drinks and snacks
- Tips
- Horse
- Travel insurance.
Recommendations
Packing List
What To Bring
- Personal medication for the altitude.
- Clothing (warm/winter jacket, rain pants, hiking boots, poncho, winter hat, gloves, wool hat with ear muffs).
- Bring water.
- Snacks, Chocolate, Fruit, Coca, etc.
- Toiletries (toilet paper, personal towel).
- Sunscreen, factor 50+ is recommended
- Sunglasses and sun hat
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Trekking poles
- Extra money, if you wish to rent a horse.
Travel Guide
Additional Information about Waqrapukara
Waqrapukara, the Horn-shaped Inca fortress
The archaeological site of Waqrapukara has nothing to envy to the other Inca complexes in Cusco. Its name comes from a Quechua word that means in Spanish: ‘Fortaleza en forma de cuerno’ (Fortress in the shape of a horn). The reason for this name is its immense summit with rocky mountain formations, as if they were two chunks. The tour up there offers history, hiking, beautiful scenery and all the ingredients for an unforgettable visit. Unfortunately, there are still few tourists who dare to visit Waqrapukara.
Waqrapukara Full-Day Tour
The horn-shaped Inca fortress
Waqrapukara was a religious sanctuary. Its fine constructions made of granitic stone prove it. However, due to its rock formation crowned by two enormous horns, and its location on top of this mountain, it is presumed that it must have also served as a fortress. Seen from afar, it resembles a formidable castle.
The works of valorization and investigation were carried out not long ago. The most important ones, in charge of the archaeologist from Cusco, Miguel Colque Enríquez, mention that the importance of Waqrapukara is still not completely clear. There are several stretches of Inca roads to get there. In addition, on the way there are other Inca enclosures such as Tambopukara, Yactapukara and Ayapukara. This could demonstrate that it was a religious (pilgrimage) site of great importance.
However, compared to other archaeological sites in Cusco, there are still not many visitors who dare to visit Waqrapukara. If you dare to go, you will find an impressive site, with enclosures, temples, canals, terraces, stairways and more. In addition, you will have to make a walk full of beautiful landscapes. Most tourists go on tour, although it is also possible to go on your own, or even camp next to Waqrapukara.
Its location
Waqrapukara is located in the province of Acomayo (south of the Cusco region). It belongs to the district of Acos, 2 hours and 30 minutes by car from the city of Cusco.
Geographically, it is located on a mountain road at the foot of the Apurimac River canyon. Its altitude reaches 4,300 meters above sea level (about 14,107 feet, approximately).
Who built Waqrapukara?
First, it was built by the Qanchi ethnic group in the period of the Auqarunas 1500 to 1000 B.C. The current construction is from the Inca period, it was built in the period of the Inca Wayna Qhapaq, with the intervention of architects of that government, also intervened by Qanchimachu and Ttito Q’osñipa.
Why did they turn it into a fortress?
Because in the time of the Auqarunas, there is already the need to train men warriors and places to defend the territory conquered by the ethnic group and tribe. Not only to defend their territory and leader. In the pre-Inca and Inca times, these leaders were called curacas, and in the Colonial Period they were called Caciques. In the Purunruna period there was no need for pucaras, because they lived in the place they wanted.
How to get to waqrapukura Cusco?
There are at least four ancient roads that lead to this fortress.
1:From Cusco to the detour to Acomayo (buses and colectivos that go to Sicuani), from here by taxi-collective to Pomacanchi. To go to Santa Lucia is recommended to rent a mobility. From this community we follow a perfectly signposted route until we reach our destination.
2: The second route starts from Acomayo following the Huascar branch that goes to the rural community of Huayqui. It is a bridle path of approximately 7.5 kilometers. This is the most common route to get to this great attraction.
3: The third access is made from Sangarará following towards the southwest, through a bridle path of almost 15 kilometers long.
4: Finally, you can access the site from the rural community of Chosecani, following the trail of a pre-Hispanic road.
Prices
| Number of persons | Price per person |
Why Choose us
SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL is a Local Travel Agency and Tour Operator with 10 years of experience in the world of tourism. We are specialists in organizing travel packages that include Machu Picchu (the main tourist destination in our country), Adventure tours such as the Inca Trail and alternative tours that also reach Machu Picchu. This article will help you know why you should choose SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL, the local travel agency that personalizes services for demanding clients like you.
Get to know our work and entrust your trip to SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL!
SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL is a local travel agency and tour operator authorized by the institutions that govern tourism regulations in Peru. That is why we have the necessary licenses and permits to operate within our country.
We offer a variety of travel styles for all tastes, our programs are flexible and we can create personalized tour packages that meet all the plans and expectations of our clients. We also carry out tours for clients with disabilities.
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Continuous improvement is one of our commitments. One of our principles is that the work of each area is important in order to achieve the best final product. Therefore, throughout our history we have developed various projects with different areas, which have given us the following results:
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About the Licenses and Authorizations of SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL
SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL – Travel Agency and Tour Operator, meets all the requirements and licenses necessary to operate and offer various services in the field of tourism throughout the Peruvian territory. The institutions mentioned below are in charge of regulating the tourism industry in Peru and we are subscribed to them:
We have the authorization of the DIRCETUR (Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Cusco), a government organization that promotes competition, sustainability and the diversification of Peruvian exportable products, tourism and crafts.
We are subscribed to PROMPERU (Commission for the Promotion of Peru for Exports and Tourism), an institution belonging to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism of our country.
We are also subscribed to SERNANP, to be able to operate on the Inca Trail Network. The National Service of Natural Protected Areas by the State, which is a specialized public technical body of the Peruvian government, dependent on the Ministry of the Environment of Peru, in charge of directing and establishing the technical and administrative criteria for the conservation of the Natural Protected Areas of Peru.
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We promote respect for culture, providing our clients with all the necessary information about the tourist destinations to visit so that they are aware of the customs, traditions, beliefs and different ways of life of the residents of the various populations of our country.
We promote the protection of the environment, through the care of the flora and fauna of the various destinations we visit, recycling, reduction in the use of water and electricity. For this reason, we recommend hiring the services of environmentally responsible tour operators like us, SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL.
We are committed to local initiatives, promoting the purchase of handicrafts, the consumption of excellent national cuisine, and support for community projects. You can be part of responsible tourism by helping to conserve the areas we visit and, if you wish, by directly supporting the residents of the local communities.
Why Choose SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL: We are a Team of Travel Experts
SUMAQ ENCANTO TRAVEL has a team of professionals with extensive knowledge and experience in the area of tourism, who work together and efficiently to make your trip a perfect, pleasant, and unforgettable experience. Start dreaming of your next vacation to Machu Picchu with our help.
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