Photo gallery
Waqrapukara tour photos
Tour overview
Waqrapukara tour at a glance
Few travelers have heard of Waqrapukara, and that is its charm. In Quechua the name means "horned fortress": an Inca site built around a huge rock with two horn-shaped peaks, perched above the Apurímac canyon at about 4,150 m. You often have it almost to yourself.
Our Cusco team checks the services, timings and availability for your dates and sends the options in a written quote.
Journey highlights
Highlights of the Waqrapukara tour
- The two rock "horns" that give the site its name
- Inca walls, trapezoidal niches and ceremonial platforms
- Sweeping views over the Apurímac canyon
- The Pomacanchi lagoon and remote Andean villages on the way
Detailed itinerary
Waqrapukara tour itinerary
Times and services are indicative. Your final schedule is confirmed in your written quote.
Pickup and the road south
We pick you up at your hotel in Cusco and drive south through the Vilcanota valley, then climb into the province of Acomayo, passing the Pomacanchi lagoon, one of the four lakes of the area. Breakfast is served on the way.
The hike to Waqrapukara
From the trailhead you walk across high grassland and along the rim of the canyon, with wide views of the mountains and very few other people. The trail is mostly gentle, with a few short climbs near the end. Suddenly Waqrapukara appears on a rocky ridge: two horn-shaped rock peaks rising above the Apurímac canyon, which give the site its Quechua name, "horned fortress".
Exploring the horned fortress
Your guide walks you through the sanctuary: Inca walls with fine stonework and double-jamb doorways, niches, small terraces and buildings built around and between the rock horns, with a drop of hundreds of meters to the Apurímac River below. You learn about its probable origin as a ceremonial site of the local Qanchi people, later taken over and rebuilt by the Incas. There is time to explore and take photos from the best viewpoints.
Lunch and return to Cusco
You walk back the same way to the van, have lunch on the way and drive back to your hotel in Cusco.
What's included
What's included in the Waqrapukara tour
Included
- hotel pickup and drop-off
- transport
- professional guide
- breakfast and lunch
- Waqrapukara entrance fee
- emergency oxygen and first-aid kit
Not included
- tips
Plan with confidence
Duration, difficulty and price
Good to know
Good to know before you go
Planning guides
Planning guides
What to bring
What to pack
- Hiking shoes
- Warm layers and rain jacket
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- 1.5 liters of water
- Snacks
- Cash in soles
Carry the original passport used to book. Check your confirmed ticket and operator instructions for current baggage and site rules.
Frequently asked questions
Waqrapukara tour FAQs
Is Waqrapukara Inca?
The walls and niches are Inca, but the site was probably sacred to the local Qanchi people before the Incas arrived.
How hard is the hike?
Moderate: about 6 km with some uphill sections at high altitude. Most people who have acclimatized in Cusco manage it well.
Why visit Waqrapukara instead of better-known sites?
For the dramatic setting and the solitude: it is one of the most impressive Inca sites near Cusco that still receives few visitors.
What time does the tour start?
Pickup is at 4:00–4:30 am, with about 3 hours of driving through the Vilcanota valley and past the Pomacanchi lagoon. Breakfast is served on the way.
How high is Waqrapukara?
About 4,150 m. Spend at least 2 days in Cusco before the hike.
Is there anything to buy at the site?
No. It is a remote site with no services, so bring water and snacks.
What is the minimum age?
8 years. Some parts of the site are near steep drops, so stay on the paths.
Tripadvisor reviews
What travelers say about our team
Reviews of Traveleez Peru SAC, the operator of Machu-Picchu.tours, on our Tripadvisor profile Machu Picchu by Traveleez.
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