Waqrapukara Full day
This is a beautiful inca place call Waqrapukara(Quechua language) wich means «waqra» is horn and «pukara» the equivalent of strength. Looking at the photograph, the name is more than eloquent. But the shepherds of the Acos communities, south of the city of Cusco, also know it as Llamapukara: «they are not horns, they assure that they are the ears of a llama that is alert to the presence of outsiders.» Despite its almost impregnable location at the top of a peak over the chasms that overlook the Apurímac River canyon and over 4,000 meters above sea level. At least four ancient roads lead to this fortress. Undoubtedly, both «ears» or «horns» were a cause of sacralization among their builders. The best preserved are its finely carved stone walls, stairs, terraces and rooms in the best classic Inca style. This place Waqrapukara represents the «architecture of power. It is an Inca sanctuary of the first order, which denotes an immense political and religious power not yet deciphered », DMG assures. “Before entering Waqrapukara, you come to a space formed by fluvial and wind erosion. The entire natural environment warns from afar that you are reaching a special site, out of the ordinary, of incomparable beauty, Waqrapukara is a good adventure and experiential tourism destination. The truth is that this route does not ask for tourists, it requires expedition members. Unlike other destinations with many visitors, in Waqrapukara you can camp in the surroundings. I recommend enjoying the night sky. Perhaps you will find the reason why its ancient builders chose this magical and mysterious place.
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Location and Altitude
The Waqrapukara Archaeological Site is located in the Acos district, Acomayo province, Cusco department. and the altitude of The Waqrapukara Archaeological Site is 4,300 meters above sea level.
Weather
The climate, typical of the highest areas of Cusco, is cold, Rain, wind, and altitude sickness (soroche) can be the biggest obstacles for visitors. Temperatures can drop below zero degrees centigrade. The Inca site of Waqrapukara is located in the Cusco region, shares the well-marked seasons, the rainy season and the dry season. However, this place has a certain peculiarity in its climate, during the mornings the weather is cold with winds and in the afternoons, the weather is dry and sunny.
The best time to visit this place is during the dry season (April to November) when everything is nice and warm and the rain is less, but if you plan is to visit during the rain season (December to March) evryday is going to rain and the weather is not going to be safe
How you can Get to this Place
I would recommend you to leave before 5 o’clock in the morning from Cusco since you will have a journey of 4 to 5 hours by car until you reach the beginning of the trek.
How you can get there on your own?
ROUTES TO ARRIVE:
To get to this place there are different routes ;
First you have to take a public transport from Cusco to Sicuani ,the bus station is located in the Av. Huayruropata
The first option is you can take a bus from cusco to Sicuani, before to get Sicuani you need to get off at the Chuquicahuana bridge located 91 km from Cusco. In that place you will find a lot of small cars in the town of Pomacanchi, from there you will take a car to the Santa Lucia the community, traveling in a car takes aprox. 1 hour and 30 minutes from Pomacanchi to Santa Lucia, from Santa Lucia you will start to hike approx. 3 hours until the same place of Waqrapukara, and time traveling in the bus from cusco to Pomacanchi takes 2 hours and 30 minutes, So in total is of 4 hours traveling in a car to the starting point of the hiking.
The second option is Starting from Cusco to Sangarara District in private mobility because is very hard to find a public bus going to that place from cusco. Then take the detour until you reach the car park. Here the 8 km walk begins to reach Waqrapukara, the duration of the walk is 1 hour and 30 minutes one way and the return is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
RETURN TO CUSCO:
If you want to get back to cusco city from Waqrapucara just you need to get to Acomayo town which is located on the main route and from the place you will find many local buses going to the cusco city Acomayo.
End of the crossing. Remember that you can do it on your own, but if you want an exclusive and all-inclusive service (transport, horses, muleteers, camp, cook, etc.) do not hesitate to write me, I could recommend you some good local companies and you will not regret.
But if you do this tour with a private transportation it will be better because your private driver is going to take you directly where is the point to start your hike and your driver is going to wait for you at the same place till you finish your hike and your driver is going to take you back to cusco city.
How to Visit this Place with a Travel Company
If you don’t want tyo visit this place on your own, you can hire the services of a travel agency or you can rent a private taxi to get there.
On the internet or in the city of Cusco you can find many travel agencies that offer the 1-day tour to the Waqrapukara Inca Site.
Tours include direct transportation to that place, food, entrance fees, and tour guides. The start of the tour is with the pickup from your hotel.
The tours of the Waqrapukara start in the city of Cusco in the morning at 3 or 4 am and you will end your tour at night in the same place (8 or 9 pm).
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- Get connected with a reliable company that specialises in high altitude trekking
- Put your safety in the hands of a company you can trust
- Tried and tested. My partners are highly experienced, have impeccable ethical standards and offer great prices!
Mountain Difficulty
The difficulty it has would be medium to high. The walk is usually long and uphill, so people who are not in good physical condition may have some problems climbing. However, it is worth the effort, since the views are truly spectacular; and throughout the journey you can appreciate the various natural beauties. If you take the route through Sangarara on the way, you will appreciate Vicuñas in its natural area.
What was Waqrapukara for?
Waqrapukara is a pre-Inca and Inca construction fortress. In the Pre Inca age it was a small citadel, for that reason they called it «Llaqta Pukara» where the Qanchi leader lived, and his family also used it as an astronomical observatory; had a shrine to the God Teqci Pachakamaq Wiraqocha.
This place has a triple jamb cover, this means it is very sacred. Instead, man-made gods such as the sun god, moon, stars, and others have their shrines with double jamb covers. God Tecsi Pachakamaq Wiraqocha, is called invisible God, the chronicler Santa Cruz. This deity was welcomed by the Incas, for this reason a temple or sanctuary was also built in the city of Cusco, it was in the place of the Cathedral. (Chronicler Juan Santa Cruz Pachacuti).
What you need to Bring
- 1 Liter and half of the water (per person- at least!).
- Water-resistant trekking shoes.
- Warm clothing (thermal underwear, fleece, hat, gloves, and socks).
- Waterproof clothing (poncho).
- Synthetic or cotton clothing (socks, trousers, shorts, t-shirts).
- Sunhat and sunglasses.
- Sun cream.
- Water bottles such as Nalgene.
- Basic medications.
- Walking sticks.
- Personal items.