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How does the idea of escaping the city and large crowds to visit a unique off-the-beaten-path site sound? The Waqrapukara One-Day Trek is the ultimate choice for some peace and quiet and to discover an incredible site that very few people get to visit—locals and tourists!
Join us on an epic hike to the majestic pre-Inca construction of Waqrapukara or Fortress of Horns located in the mighty Apurímac canyon. This beautiful sacred place combines advanced architecture and impressive natural formations in a wonderful landscape—almost like something from a dream—surrounded by small crystalline lagoons. The gigantic horns rise as high as 4,140 m / 13,583 ft.
When you travel with your partner or a large group of family or friends, you can join us on this one-day trek. You’ll come with us on an adventure through the Peruvian Andes and escape the hustle and bustle of the city to an amazing Inca fortress.
The Waqrapukara Trek is a must for anyone wanting to visit this incredible archaeological site before the crowds discover it and it becomes busy. Waqra means “horn” in Quechua, while Pukara means “fortress”. These “horns” rise up to 4,140 m / 13,582 ft on top of a huge ravine covered with forests.
The archaeological monument is surrounded by impressive platforms, plazas, and a forest of stones that resemble mythological giants and look as though they’re contemplating the Andean landscape.
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 and fauna from the region. Why wait any longer to immerse yourself in the wild Andes and see a very special site? Get in touch with us and learn more about this fun one-day adventure.
Your one-day adventure starts today bright and early. We’ll pass by your accommodation to collect you at 4:00 am. We’ll then be on our way on a two-and-a-half-hour drive to the town of Marcaconga. We’ll continue to Pitumarca district for our tasty breakfast.
Once we’re full and ready to go, we have a final thirty minutes of driving along an unpaved, zig-zag road to get to our hike’s starting point. You’ll have a bit of time to get your things together before we set off. The first stretch is two-and-a-half hours long, and you’ll be able to observe magnificent landscapes studded with small glacial lakes along the way.
When we reach the Waqrapukara viewpoint, you’ll be able to rest a little and take your first photos of the impressive fortress that sits on the edge of a canyon.
Next, we’ll descend for about forty minutes along a steep path on the edge of a cliff towards the site itself while the Apurimac River flows rapidly downwards. You’ll get to explore the archaeological site for about an hour and a half, climbing through the remains of the temple and taking photos against the incredible landscape of the canyon. The amazing scenery will take your breath away.
Finally, when the group is ready, we’ll begin the ascent back the way we came. We’ll arrive at the private transport after about three hours of walking, and we’ll return to Cusco at 7:00 pm approximately.
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as easy as possible. In this section, you will find speedy answers to all those questions you had about Waqrapukara trek in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.
Has another question that we haven’t answered here? Drop us a line, and we will get back to you asap!
All information meetings are held in your hotel at 6:00 p.m., one night before the tour begins. If you cannot attend, you must coordinate another time at the (Peru Hike) offices. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes and there you will be given a small duffel bag, in which you’ll put all the belongings you intend to bring on the trek that won’t be in your day pack.
The trek has to be paid for in full by at least 7.30 pm two days before departure. For example, if your tour departs on a Wednesday, then you must come to our office before 7.30 pm on Monday.
It would be much appreciated if you pay the trek balance in cash US dollars or local currency. You can withdraw some money from several ATMs along Avenida Sol (either in US dollars or local Peruvian Soles). You can pay by credit card or PAYPAL online, but you will have to pay an 8% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. We do not accept bank checks or payment of the balance by traveler’s checks.
Of course! During the travel, your main luggage can be stored at our office(you can organize briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment that you are not going to need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags, put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (In the unlikely case of theft many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing all the items). Best put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Peru Hike Company can pick you up from your hotel, as long as it’s in the Historic Center of Cusco. The pickup time will be coordinated with your guide in the briefing. The pickup time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes due to traffic. Cusco is a very old city, therefore, it has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs may be located on streets without access to cars or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. We strongly recommend that you book accommodation with good access.
Group tours are made up of different types of people. Physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route. It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, it will be the guide who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if said modifications can be made.
Strikes and demonstrations are usually frequent in Peru and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your excursion as planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date. Under these circumstances, tours may also be cancelled. In case of changes or cancellations, all situations will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority and our decisions will be made to protect it.
You’re responsible for your objects during the tour. Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our trucks, tents, or restaurants.
Excellent, incredible place, it has a special touch for adventurers who love to walk in the mountains.
Here you are in direct contact with nature, and the landscapes are magnificent. If you are in Cusco, you cannot stop visiting this wonder is a new archaeological site to visit.
