WAQRA PUKARA FULL DAY HIKE

Was it a fortress? A sanctuary? A astronomic observatory? Theories abound about the purpose of Wakra Pukara, a massive, horn-shaped Inca site standing above the Apurimac Canyon, three hours south of Cusco, Peru. Discover its enigmatic ruins for yourself on this unique day hike, which will take you far out of the city and

Off the beaten path Trek in Cusco! 

Please be aware this trek may not be suitable for travelers with vertigo. 

Difficulty: Moderate (day-long trek with terrain which gently rises and falls)

Languages: English, 

Tour Start Time: 3:30.a.m

 End Time: Approximately 6:00 pm

Maximum Altitude: 4,500 meters (14,763 ft)

Weather: Cold in the morning; hot and sunny at midday; chilly winds towards evening. (Layered clothing adaptable to different conditions highly recommended.

In the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel or hostel at approximately 3:00 – 3:30 am. If your hotel or hostel is not located in the city center, we will pick you up from the doorway of our office building. We will begin the two and a half hour drive towards Marcaconga village, then continue into the district of Pitumarca, where we will eat breakfast.

After breakfast, we will return to the car for thirty more minutes of driving along a zig-zagging, unpaved road, until we reach Punta Carretera. Here, we will have ten minutes to stretch, organize our things, and make any final preparations for our trek. We will walk across gently rolling terrain for about two hours, observing gorgeous landscapes studded with small glacial lakes along the way.

Once we arrive at the Wakra Pukara Overlook, we will pause briefly to take our first photos of this incredible fortress perched on the edge of a canyon. We will then descend for about forty minutes along a steep, cliffside path into the site itself, while the Apurimac River runs swiftly below.

We will explore the ruins for approximately an hour and a half, climbing through the remains of the temple complex, taking photos against the incredible canyon scenery, and resting on clifftops in the shadows of the stone walls.  When the group is ready, we will begin the ascent back the way we came. We will reach the car after about three hours of trekking, and return to Cusco at approximately 6:00 pm.