Trekking to Waqrapukara (All Day)

DURATION 1 Day

DEPARTURE Hotel in Cusco

GROUP SIZE 2-10 pax

MAX. ALTITUDE 4300 m.a.s.l.

DIFFICULTY Challenging

The beginning of the journey

Enjoy a challenging 5.5-hour hike, perfect for connecting with Cusco’s nature and adventure.
Admire lagoons, streams, and mountains as you trek through stunning landscapes.
Observe the region’s flora and fauna; if you’re lucky, you may spot tarucas, Andean cock-of-the-rocks, spectacled bears, snakes, llamas, vicuñas, and viscachas.
Be amazed by the construction of the remarkable Waqrapukara fortress, surrounded by a canyon and a precipice.
Marvel at the site’s state of preservation—80% of the original structure remains intact, as even the Spanish never reached this place. Learn about Inca culture, history, and architecture at this enigmatic location, and reflect on the possible uses of this fortress, such as a constellation observatory.
Take a photo with the majestic Apurímac Canyon as your backdrop.
Spot distant caves and be awed by the perfection of Inca architecture.
Enjoy a delicious breakfast before starting the tour and a buffet lunch at the end of the hike.

Itinerary

Early in the morning, around 4:40 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco to begin our Waqrapukara Trekking Tour at 5:00 a.m. We will head southeast of the city on a drive of approximately 2.5 hours. At 7:30 a.m., you will enjoy a hearty breakfast at a local restaurant in the town of Acomayo.

At 8:30 a.m., we will start a 3-hour hike at an altitude of 12,000 feet, crossing the plains of Cusco until we reach the ancient Inca fortress of Waqrapukara.

Around 11:30 a.m., we will arrive at the fortress, where you will have about an hour to explore this mystical and enigmatic archaeological site. You’ll learn about its history and significance as a religious and astronomical center for the Incas.

At 1:00 p.m., we will begin the return hike to the point where our transport will be waiting, a trek of approximately 2.5 hours.

At 3:30 p.m., you will enjoy a delicious lunch at a nearby restaurant. After lunch, we’ll head back to Cusco, a drive that usually takes about 3 hours.

We will arrive in Cusco around 7:30 p.m., concluding this incredible experience.

What's included

Hotel Pickup: Pickups start at 4:40 a.m.; the timing can be customized.
Professional Guide (Spanish, English, or Portuguese): You can choose the tour language.
Transport: Includes tourist transport to the attractions.
First Aid Kit and Oxygen Tank
Trekking Poles
Breakfast and Buffet Lunch: A breakfast is provided at the start of the tour, and a buffet meal is served at the end.
- **Breakfast:** Andean bread (pan chuta), pancakes, fruit salad (diced watermelon and papaya), jam and butter, 2 types of cereal (granola and crispy rice), 2 types of yogurt (strawberry or vanilla), and scrambled eggs. Hot beverages such as coffee, hot chocolate, and muña tea are available, and sometimes juice and salad are served.
- **Lunch:** Options include spaghetti, white meats (chicken cracklings, beef stew, trout cracklings), red meats (lamb stew, beef loin, pork cracklings), quinoa fried rice, legumes, Andean potatoes, and white or vegetable rice. There are also 2 types of salads: cooked (carrots, broccoli) and raw (lettuce, cucumber, tomato), offering excellent vegetarian options. You can also enjoy a quinoa soup. Desserts include purple corn pudding, rice pudding, gelatin, or peach compote. Hot beverages like muña tea, coca tea, and coffee are included.