We will begin our incredible adventure with your hotel pick-up at approximately 3:00 am – 3:30 am. You will need to be ready and waiting in the hotel reception until your guide arrives at your hotel. We will then head off in our private transport for about 2 hours, until we arrive at Cusipata, where you will enjoy a healthy breakfast. We will then continue for another 2 hours until we arrive at the village of Santa Lucía. Here you guide will brief you about the trek before we set off. From the starting point of the hike to the site of Waqrapukara is approximately 9 km, walking through different types of terrain and a large part of the hike is slightly uphill. Along the way, you will be able to appreciate stunning countryside, until you finally see the incredible stone “horns” of WaqraPukara.
When you arrive at tis impressive site, the guide will explain all about this magical place. We will enjoy a delicious lunch, before we begin our return trek back to where we started and where are car will be waiting to drive back to Cusco. We will arrive between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm.
The Waqra Pukara Full Day Tour begins with hotel pickup between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. Once the entire group is ready, we will begin our journey, traveling for approximately 3 hours by tourist transportation toward the village of Santa Lucía. Along the way, we will make a stop in Cusipata to enjoy breakfast before continuing our trip.
Upon arriving in Santa Lucía, we will take a detour and travel for approximately 15 more minutes along a winding road until reaching Punta Carretera. Here, we will have around 10 minutes to prepare and make the final arrangements before beginning our hike toward Waqra Pukara.
Once everyone is ready, we will begin the hike, which takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and covers a distance of about 2.5 kilometers. Upon reaching Waqra Pukara, one of Cusco’s impressive archaeological attractions, our guide will explain the history and importance of this remarkable archaeological complex.
After the guided explanation, you will have free time to explore the site on your own, admire the surrounding landscapes, and take memorable photographs.
Once our visit is complete, we will enjoy a delicious box lunch before hiking back along the same trail to Punta Carretera. Our transportation will be waiting there to take us back to Cusco.
We will arrive in Cusco at approximately 6:00 p.m.
Share your travel preferences and a local specialist will confirm availability and prepare the best option for you.
This tour is a direct route into the history of Cusco. The city was the capital of the Inca Empire and its layout is a mix of incredible Inca stonework and Spanish colonial buildings built right on top of the old foundations.
You are not just looking at separate ruins and churches. You are walking through a city that shows the clash and blend of two powerful cultures literally stone by stone. The precision of the Inca masonry is something you have to see up close to even believe.
The stones fit together without any mortar and have survived centuries of earthquakes that toppled the newer buildings around them.
We start at Koricancha the Inca Sun Temple. The Spanish built the Santo Domingo Church on top of its walls. This one site perfectly demonstrates the entire story of the conquest. From there we move to the main Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas. It holds a huge collection of colonial art and is a major religious site.
The tour then takes you just outside the city center to the fortress of Sacsayhuaman. The size of the stones used there is staggering. The tour wraps up back in the central square giving you a complete picture from the Inca heart to the Spanish core and back again.
Discover what fellow travelers have to say about their journeys through Peru with Yacana Peru.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Recomendaciones: Book ahead especially dry season slots fill quick and confirm pickup spot cuz Cusco traffic messes times. Tip guide and driver 5 to 10 soles each they hustle hard. Stay hydrated sip slow altitude creeps. If solo join group for safety numbers help on remote trails. Pack light regret heavy bags mid hike. Check weather app but trust locals more flips fast.
Clima: Dry months May to October sunny days but nights drop cold to freezing pack thermals. Rainy November to April mud makes trails slick falls risk up so waterproof everything. Winds strong at top whip hats away. Around 10 to 20 Celsius day highs but feels cooler with breeze. Intense sun burns even short exposure
Temporada del año recomendada: Go dry season March to January best visibility and dry paths easier footing. Avoid February maintenance closes it roads wash out. Peak June to August busier but reliable weather. Shoulder April May or September October fewer crowds same perks. Summers hot but rains less predictable doubt you’ll love soggy boots.
Como vestir adecuadamente para el tour: Layers rule t shirt under fleece then waterproof jacket for versatility. Trek pants not jeans cuz wet sticks. Hiking socks wool blend prevent blisters. Gloves light for wind hat wide brim shades. Sturdy shoes no sneakers slip city. Change socks mid if sweat builds. Intense cold at dawn so start bundled.
Como prepararse físicamente: Walk hills daily weeks before build stamina that uphill’s no joke. Cardio runs or stairs mimic the climb. Strength train legs squats for switchbacks. Acclimatize Cusco 2 3 days light walks. Yoga for balance steep drops. Eat light night before avoid heavy. If out of shape consider horse upgrade or skip doubt you’ll enjoy gasping whole way.
Como son los pobladores locales: Friendly Quechua speakers farm alpacas sell woven goods or coca leaves along drive. Welcoming wave chat if you try Spanish basics. Traditional dress ponchos herds modest life. Respect no photos without ask. They guide sometimes know trails inside out. Intense poverty shows but pride in heritage shines through interactions.
Para quienes es recomendado este tour: Active travelers mid 20s to 50s craving off grid hikes. Families with teens 12 plus if kids tough. Culture nuts into ruins less touristy. Adventure types okay moderate challenge. Not beginners or low fitness bail on altitude. Backpackers budget wise at 100 bucks. Solos join groups easy. Intense for history buffs wanting real sweat equity.
Como es la comida en la ruta: Box lunches simple sandwiches quinoa salad fruit cookies hit after morning hike. Breakfast breads eggs tea at stop energizing. Snacks bars chocolate provided. Local flavors alpaca cheese maybe if lucky. No fancy but filling sustains energy. Hydrate with water bottles. Dinner back in Cusco your call. Vegetarians accommodated ask ahead. Intense hunger post trek makes it taste amazing though basic.
Those horn shaped rock formations mark a pre Inca site later used by Incas as a fortress overlooking Apurimac Canyon. Built around 500 AD with terraces walls and chambers for defense or rituals. Not huge like Machu Picchu but impressive in isolation locals call it the horn fortress cuz the peaks look like that.
Around three hours total with stops but unpaved bits slow it down to four sometimes. South valley roads twist past lagoons and villages dust kicks up in dry season. Early start means less traffic but van bounces yeah prepare for that rattle.
Yeah most tours include it but if solo buy at site for about 5 to 10 soles advance online through parks service avoids lines. Some operators bundle so check your booking. Doubt you’ll get turned away but better safe especially peak times.
Up at the ruins around 4140 meters that’s over 13500 feet air thin up there. Starting lower near 3700 but the climb feels it quick. Acclimatize or spin dizzy I tell ya.
Condors soar sometimes lucky spot foxes or deer in bushes. Birds aplenty hawks eagles. No big cats but llamas from locals wander. Bring binos if keen nature calls intense in that canyon wildness.
Moderate challenging three hours up steep switchbacks then down jarring on knees. About 10k total if fit you’ll manage but newbie huff a lot. Guides pace it but no easy mode. Wonder if porters help nah day tour no.
Breakfast at lagoon stop breads fruits tea. Box lunch mid trek sandwich salad snacks. Water too. Dinner not your own in Cusco. Simple keeps you going no gourmet but hey trail food’s trail food.
Min 12 years old yeah tougher ones handle it families do. Younger maybe not the altitude or distance. Check with operator they adjust but steep bits scare little legs. Intense for teens though builds character.
Up to 12 keeps it chill not mobbed. Mix ages fitness levels but guides herd everyone. Private option if you pay extra solos fit right in chatty bunch usually.
Absolutely yes hang in Cusco 2 3 days first walk around get used to 3400 meters. Ruins way higher headaches nausea hit fast otherwise. Pop soroche pills too. I skipped once bad call.
Dry season fine but rainy months mud slides close trails. Poncho essential drizzles common. Check forecast but Peru weather lies intense storms pop sudden soak you good.
Basic at trailhead and site outhouses squat style no paper bring your own. Nature calls mid hike privacy bushes. Guides point spots but yeah roughing it.
Around 80 to 120 USD per person group rate drops with numbers. Includes transport meals guide ticket. Private bumps to 200. Budget for tips extra 10 soles. Worth it for the haul.
Yeah some add rainbow mountain or Inca bridge for extra fee about 30 bucks more. Skips some Waqrapukara time though pick one focus. Doubt you’ll want overload first day.
Guides carry oxygen first aid kit descend if bad. Tours have insurance but your responsibility meds. Stop push listen body. Intense but rare with prep
Hike off the beaten path to the mystical horn-shaped fortress of Waqrapukara.
We will begin our incredible adventure with your hotel pick-up at approximately 3:00 am – 3:30 am. You will need to be ready and waiting in the hotel reception until your guide arrives at your hotel. We will then head off in our private transport for about 2 hours, until we arrive at Cusipata, where you will enjoy a healthy breakfast. We will then continue for another 2 hours until we arrive at the village of Santa Lucía. Here you guide will brief you about the trek before we set off. From the starting point of the hike to the site of Waqrapukara is approximately 9 km, walking through different types of terrain and a large part of the hike is slightly uphill. Along the way, you will be able to appreciate stunning countryside, until you finally see the incredible stone “horns” of WaqraPukara.
When you arrive at tis impressive site, the guide will explain all about this magical place. We will enjoy a delicious lunch, before we begin our return trek back to where we started and where are car will be waiting to drive back to Cusco. We will arrive between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm.
The Waqra Pukara Full Day Tour begins with hotel pickup between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. Once the entire group is ready, we will begin our journey, traveling for approximately 3 hours by tourist transportation toward the village of Santa Lucía. Along the way, we will make a stop in Cusipata to enjoy breakfast before continuing our trip.
Upon arriving in Santa Lucía, we will take a detour and travel for approximately 15 more minutes along a winding road until reaching Punta Carretera. Here, we will have around 10 minutes to prepare and make the final arrangements before beginning our hike toward Waqra Pukara.
Once everyone is ready, we will begin the hike, which takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and covers a distance of about 2.5 kilometers. Upon reaching Waqra Pukara, one of Cusco’s impressive archaeological attractions, our guide will explain the history and importance of this remarkable archaeological complex.
After the guided explanation, you will have free time to explore the site on your own, admire the surrounding landscapes, and take memorable photographs.
Once our visit is complete, we will enjoy a delicious box lunch before hiking back along the same trail to Punta Carretera. Our transportation will be waiting there to take us back to Cusco.
We will arrive in Cusco at approximately 6:00 p.m.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Recomendaciones: Book ahead especially dry season slots fill quick and confirm pickup spot cuz Cusco traffic messes times. Tip guide and driver 5 to 10 soles each they hustle hard. Stay hydrated sip slow altitude creeps. If solo join group for safety numbers help on remote trails. Pack light regret heavy bags mid hike. Check weather app but trust locals more flips fast.
Clima: Dry months May to October sunny days but nights drop cold to freezing pack thermals. Rainy November to April mud makes trails slick falls risk up so waterproof everything. Winds strong at top whip hats away. Around 10 to 20 Celsius day highs but feels cooler with breeze. Intense sun burns even short exposure
Temporada del año recomendada: Go dry season March to January best visibility and dry paths easier footing. Avoid February maintenance closes it roads wash out. Peak June to August busier but reliable weather. Shoulder April May or September October fewer crowds same perks. Summers hot but rains less predictable doubt you’ll love soggy boots.
Como vestir adecuadamente para el tour: Layers rule t shirt under fleece then waterproof jacket for versatility. Trek pants not jeans cuz wet sticks. Hiking socks wool blend prevent blisters. Gloves light for wind hat wide brim shades. Sturdy shoes no sneakers slip city. Change socks mid if sweat builds. Intense cold at dawn so start bundled.
Como prepararse físicamente: Walk hills daily weeks before build stamina that uphill’s no joke. Cardio runs or stairs mimic the climb. Strength train legs squats for switchbacks. Acclimatize Cusco 2 3 days light walks. Yoga for balance steep drops. Eat light night before avoid heavy. If out of shape consider horse upgrade or skip doubt you’ll enjoy gasping whole way.
Como son los pobladores locales: Friendly Quechua speakers farm alpacas sell woven goods or coca leaves along drive. Welcoming wave chat if you try Spanish basics. Traditional dress ponchos herds modest life. Respect no photos without ask. They guide sometimes know trails inside out. Intense poverty shows but pride in heritage shines through interactions.
Para quienes es recomendado este tour: Active travelers mid 20s to 50s craving off grid hikes. Families with teens 12 plus if kids tough. Culture nuts into ruins less touristy. Adventure types okay moderate challenge. Not beginners or low fitness bail on altitude. Backpackers budget wise at 100 bucks. Solos join groups easy. Intense for history buffs wanting real sweat equity.
Como es la comida en la ruta: Box lunches simple sandwiches quinoa salad fruit cookies hit after morning hike. Breakfast breads eggs tea at stop energizing. Snacks bars chocolate provided. Local flavors alpaca cheese maybe if lucky. No fancy but filling sustains energy. Hydrate with water bottles. Dinner back in Cusco your call. Vegetarians accommodated ask ahead. Intense hunger post trek makes it taste amazing though basic.
Travelers to Peru require a passport valid for at least 6 months from entry. Most nationalities (USA, Canada, EU, UK, Australia, Brazil) do not require a tourist visa for stays up to 90 days. Comprehensive travel insurance covering high altitude is strongly recommended.
Hotel nights feature comfortable 3-star boutique hotels in private en-suite rooms. On mountain treks, we provide premium 4-season Eureka tents (2 persons in a 4-person tent), foam sleeping mattresses, spacious dining tents with tables and chairs, and clean portable toilet facilities.
Your tour begins in Cusco, Peru. We include airport arrival transfer to your hotel. An informative briefing with your professional trekking guide takes place at your Cusco hotel at 6:00 PM the evening before your tour begins.
We had great tours with them! Rosa Guide very good and with a lot of information!
We had an incredible experience with the tours! Everything was very well organized, from the schedules to the support during the trips. The guides were very attentive, helpful, and gave us a lot of interesting...
A wonderful experience, very punctual, capricious, service at all times, no doubt was the best choice, me and my friends felt very safe.
The Yacana was our best choice of trip. Always inquisitive and ready to serve us. Super we indicate!
