Waqrapukara Tour from Cusco is a flexible and customized private day trip with an English speaking tour guide, private transport, tickets and lunches.
Waqrapukara is an ultimate unique off-the-beaten-path place for some peace and quiet and to discover an incredible site that very few people get to visit.
Waqrapukara or the Fortress of Horns is located in the Apurimac canyon which rises as high as 4,150 meters above sea level, an ideal place for an epic hike. It’s a sacred place that combines advanced architecture and impressive natural formations surrounded by small crystalline lagoons.
Your Tour Features
Tour Type Private
Tour Duration 10 Hours
Pick-up time 6:00 AM
Drop-off time 6:00 PM
Pickup at Hotel
Entry tickets Included
Guide English speaker
Transport Private
What You’ll Do
The trip begins with a quick pick-up at your hotel in Cusco by your private vehicle and a direct scenic drive through diverse landscapes to the hike’s start trailhead.
Followed by a challenging hike that will reward you with stunning panoramic views and the serene atmosphere; following that you’ll have lunch and get transferred back to Cusco.
Your Tour Itinerary
6:00 am – Cusco to Waqrapukara car transfer
At the scheduled time your guide and driver will show up at your hotel and then drive towards Waqrapukara site.
After you are picked up at your accommodation you’ll follow a 2-hour drive to the town of Quiquijana. From there, you’ll continue bordering the shimmering Pomacanchi lagoon, one of the largest in the area. This beautiful lagoon is also flanked all over by pastures and plenty of local agricultural fields.
After that, you’ll follow the route for one hour and a half along an unpaved road until the town of Santa Lucía, witnessing some amazing scenery all around and even looking at the lagoon in the distance.
Hiking the Waqrapukara site
From the town, you’ll take a final 30-min drive to the hike’s staring point. There, you’ll have time to get your things together before you start. The first section is around 1.5 hours long, observing the magnificent Apurimac Canyon, one of the deepest in Peru, and the dramatic landscapes studded with cliffs along the way.
When you reach the Waqrapukara viewpoint, you’ll be able to rest a little and take your first photos of the impressive fortress emerging on the edge of a canyon. Next, you’ll descend along a steep path towards the site on a cliff’s edge while you appreciate the Apurimac River flowing downwards.
Waqrapukara site
The archaeological monument is surrounded by impressive platforms, plazas, and stone forests that resemble mythological giants looking like they’re contemplating the Andean landscape. Waqra means “horn” in Qhechua, while Pukara means “fortress”. These “horns” rise up to 4,140 m / 13,582 ft on top of a huge ravine covered with forests.
You’ll also get to soak in the incredible landscape of the mountains, canyon, and crystalline lagoons. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the unique flora fauna of the region.
You’ll get to explore the archaeological site for about an hour and a half; you’ll climb through the temple’s remains and take photos of its famous horned-shaped rock formation and the fantastic canyon landscape. The site itself also boasts enigmatic constructions from pre-Inca and Inca periods, terraces, and incredible background history, which makes this a perfect location to learn about the ancient Andean culture. Without a doubt, the place will surely take your breath away from start to finish.
Finally, when you are ready, you’ll begin the hike back the way you came. You’ll arrive by private transport after about one hour and a half of walking, and you’ll return to Cusco, arriving at approximately 6:00 pm.
You will have time to explore the area and take pictures. You will spend approximately 30 minutes. Then after, you will walk down to the lake where you’ll see trout farming and enjoy its magnificent color.
After exploring the lake you will come back to the private vehicle. You will drive to the village of Pampacancha where you’ll bath in the hot springs and have lunch in the same place.
By the late afternoon, you’ll make your way back to Cusco. You’ll arrive in Cusco at 06:00 pm roughly.
Included:
- Pick-up at your hotel in Cusco
- Round trip private transport
- English speaking tour guide
- Entry tickets
- Lunches
- Drop-off at your hotel
Excluded:
- Extra expenses
- Breakfast
- Alcoholic drinks, soda
- Bottled water
- Gratuities
What to bring:
- Hat, cap
- Local currency cash
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Bring a raincoat (December to March)
- Bring water (2.5 L)
- Bring snacks
- Take a pillow for the car ride
- Coca leaves, Oxishot
- Bring your camera
Get more. Do more.
Hey! I’m Fredy, the guy responsible of answering your emails and inquiries at headquarter.
If you have questions about Waqrapukara Tour from Cusco, or need help making your booking, feel free to text me the number below and reference the name of the tour (or send the link). I’d be happy to help.
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+51 965154772
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