from 6 reviews
1 Day
Daily Tour
20 people
English
Discover the majestic Inca construction of Waqrapukara or “horn-shaped fortress”, located in the canyon of the mighty Apurímac River. It is a hidden treasure for travelers looking for something different and with no crowds. This beautiful sacred place combines incredible stone work with spectacular natural formations and small lagoons around it.
Waqra means “horn” and Pukara means “force”. The “horn” lays 4,300 meters above sea level, at the top of a huge forest-covered ravine with steep falls that overlook the canyon in the Apurímac river. The archaeological site is surrounded by impressive channels, plazas and a stone forest that resemble thrones with mythological giants contemplating the Andean landscape.
5:00am bus journey to Cocha (4000m/13,123ft) in Acomayo district, where the 2½ hour walk to Waqrapukara begins. A jagged land with incredible natural rock formations and small lagoons. You can observe the wild flora and fauna such as condors, llamas, alpacas, vicunas, wild horses and wild ducks. During our guided tour we visit the following places: Intipunku (Sun gate), main square, towers, terraces, Wiracocha enclosure and cave paintings.
The archaeological complex is located sinuously along an elevated rocky area, built around two horn-shaped mountain peaks. The site has eight Inca terraces with retaining walls and stone stairs. It will take three hours to walk back along an old road to the town of Waqui, where we return to Cusco.
* If you are traveling with children under 18, write to us at info@machupicchutravel.org to receive the prices
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