Waqrapukara Trek Overview
Explore the breathtaking beauty of Waqrapukara, an ancient Incan archaeological site in the Andes Mountains of Peru. This full-day tour takes you through stunning landscapes, traditional villages, and the mystical ruins of Waqrapukara. Finally, you’ll reach the ancient Incan ruins of Waqrapukara, perched on a cliff overlooking the valley below.
Is this trip right for me?
AT A GLANCE
- Pick-up Locations: Any Cuzco Hotel
- Pick-up Schedule: at 5:30
- Travel distance: CUSCO-Pomacanchis-Sangarara-Rinconada, 3 hours and 15 minutes.
- A whole day of the Waqrapukara Tour:
- La Rinconada elevation to start the Waqrapukara day hike is 4,045 m/13,270 feet.
- Waqrapukara’s altitude is 4,122 meters (13,523 feet).
- Elevation of Wayqui to start the Waqrapukara trek: 3,412 m/11,194 ft.
- The height of Santa Lucía to begin the Waqrapukara trek is 3,965 m/13,523 ft.
HIKING TRAILS to Waqrapukara, Peru
We have several hiking alternatives to the scenic wonder of Cusco, where you can enjoy an incredible tour of the Waqrapukara ruins. Routes 1, 2, and 3 have the same value or price, while routes 4 or 5 have an additional cost.
Waqrapukara Hike Route I: The Classic
Via La Rinconada to Waqrapukara to La Rinconada: This is a brittle and semi-flat path with spectacular views of the Andes and the Apurimac Canyon. Return with the same adventure system.
- Hike from La Rinconada of Campi to Waqrapukara: 2 hours and 50 minutes | 8.5 km/ 5.2 miles
- Walk from Waqrapukara to La Rinconada of Campi: 2 hours and 45 minutes | 8.5 km/ 5.2 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate—Sometimes Challenging
Waqrapukara Hike Route II
Via La Rinconada to Waqrapukara Ruins: Wayqui “undulating path or panoramic semi-flat” | Downhill walk from the detour to Wayqui on the return so that the path is not repetitive.
- Hike from La Rinconada of Campi to Waqrapukara: 2 hours and 50 minutes; 8.5 km/5.2 miles; difficulty: moderate.
- Walk from Waqrapukara to Wayqui: 2 hours and a half; 8 km/4.9 miles; difficulty: challenging return due to the descent to Wayqui.
Waqrapukara Hike Route III: Adventure
Via Wayqui to Waqrapukara ruins to Wayqui: Start hiking up the mountain for about 90 minutes until you reach the semi-flat path and reach Waqrapukara (The return hike via the same way)
- Hike from Wayqui to Waqrapukara: 3 hours, 8 km, 4.9 miles
- Walk from Waqrapukara to Wayqui: 2 hours and 45 minutes | 8 km/ 4.9 miles
- Difficulty: Challenging
Waqrapukara Hike Route IV: The shortest amount of Hiking
Via Santa Lucia to Waqrapukara Ruins to Santa Lucia: short option with semi-flats and hill climbs. The return hike is via the same path. Additional cost: write us for a quote
- Hike from Santa Lucia to Waqrapukara: 60 minutes | 4 km/ 2.4 miles
- Walk from Waqrapukara to Santa Lucia: 35 minutes | 4 km/ 2.4 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate-Easy
Waqrapukara Hike Route V: The Special Hiking Trail
Via La Rinconada to Waqrapukara Ruins to Santa Lucia: Hike along the most panoramic path with impressive views of the Apurimac Canyon south of Cusco. After exploring the Waqrapukara ruins, continue the trek to Santa Lucia and return to Cusco. Additional cost: write us for a quote
- Hike from La Rinconada of Campi to Waqrapukara: 2 hours and 50 minutes | 8.5 km/ 5.2 miles
- Walk from Waqrapukara to Santa Lucia: 35 minutes | 4 km/ 2.4 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate-Easy
Postscript
- A walk along a path without returning along the same way!
- The increase occurs because the transport travels for 2 hours to Santa Lucía from La Rinconada de Campi.
Highlights
- Discover the spectacular views of the Waqrapukara Hike with KONDOR PATH TOURS! Get step-by-step instructions and stunning photos of the journey that awaits you.
- Nothing beats the experience of a lifetime on the majestic Full Day Waqrapukara Hike. Start your journey of discovery today to unlock stunning natural vistas and adventure!
Waqrapukara Trek Full Day Itinerary
Perched on a cliff overlooking the Apurimac River Canyon in Peru, Waqrapukara stands on a breathtaking archaeological site shrouded in mystery and ancient history. This full-day tour to Waqrapukara promises an unforgettable adventure.
The magnificent archaeological site is located in the southern area of Cusco, next to the canyon and the Aprurimac River. To visit the tourist circuit of Waqrapukara, we go to the province of Acomayo.
Starting Point: Cusco
Your journey commences in the ancient city of Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire. You’ll embark on a scenic drive through picturesque landscapes, passing quaint Andean villages and majestic mountains.
Trekking to Waqrapukara
Upon arriving at the trailhead, the real adventure begins. A moderate trek awaits you, offering panoramic vistas and encounters with the region’s diverse flora and fauna. A knowledgeable guide will accompany you, sharing fascinating stories and insights.
The Sacred Path
As you hike along the sacred path, you’ll notice Inca stone markers leading you closer to the hidden gem of Waqrapukara. The sense of anticipation grows with every step, knowing you are about to witness a marvel of ancient engineering.
Unveiling the Enigma: Waqrapukara
After an invigorating hike, the ancient marvel of Waqrapukara comes into view. As you explore the site, your guide will share fascinating stories about its historical significance and the Inca civilization.
Spiritual Connection
The tranquil atmosphere at Waqrapukara invites visitors to connect with nature and tap into the spiritual energy that still permeates the site. It’s a perfect opportunity for reflection and meditation.
Panoramic Views: A Glimpse of Heaven
One of the highlights of Tour Waqrapukara 1 Day is the panoramic view that awaits travelers from the site’s main viewpoint. Standing at the cliff’s edge, you’ll be greeted with a breathtaking spectacle of the Apurimac River winding through the dramatic canyon below. This vantage point offers an unforgettable experience that will forever be etched in your memory.
Waqrapukara Hiking Circuit & Data
Take an incredible trek on the Waqrapukara Hike in Peru and discover breathtaking scenery. This challenging 11-mile journey takes you through stunning landscapes, historic villages, and rugged terrain.
- Enjoy a splendid view of the Apurimac River. At the same time, we hike the trails of Waqrapukara, a “2 hours and 40 minutes hike,” to reach the archaeological group of Waqrapukara, explore, and have spectacular panoramic views of the Andes on your guided tour.
- The Waqrapukara site was a strategic place of ideological order. Waqra is a “horn,” and Pukara is equivalent to force.
- We will travel the beautiful ecological floors of Quechua, Suni, and Puna, observing their characteristic flora and fauna.
- The Inca site’s landscape is breathtaking, and its beauty is one of the most spectacular in the Andean world. Explosive bursts of wind ascended the abysses, forming inconsistent figures on the heights of the gully.
- The Inca architects tried to dominate the landscape without transforming its spectacularity.
- The natural environment warns from afar that a particular, unusual site of incomparable beauty exists.
CUSCO’S WAQRAPUKARA INCA FOREST
Take a hike around Waqrapukara and explore the fascinating ancient cultures, breathtaking views, and magnificent wildlife along its rugged terrain. Waqrapukara is an Inca sanctuary of the first order, which denotes an immense political and religious power not yet deciphered.
Physical Level
4, Intense
Walking Distance
Rinconada to S. Lucia 12.5km (7.7 miles)
Starting Altitude
La Rinconada: 4,045m (13,271 ft)
Minimun Altitude
Santa Lucia: 3,965m (13,008 ft)
Highest Altitude
Waqrapukara Ruin: 4,122m (13,523 ft)
Waqrapukara Trek 1-Day INCLUSION
- Excellent English-speaking tour guide “the entire day trek to Waqrapukara hiking.”
- Private tourist transport with fuel and a professional driver
- Waqrapukara, Peru, tour entrance fee
- Meals: Box lunch per hiker.
- Oxygen tank.
- First aid kit.
Note: The vehicles to use “see the photo in prices.”
NO INCLUSION
- Hotel or Airbnb. A diverse selection of accommodations.
- Water.
- Snacks.
- Tips.
Note: Waqrapukara Trek 2 days price; write to us.
Climb the majestic Andes Mountains and discover the Waqrapukara Hike! Take your mountain journeys to a whole new level and experience.
Kondor Path Tours operates the Waqrapukara Trek.
What to Bring to our Waqrapukara Tour Full Day
- A good daypack for this Waqrapukara trek
- Lighter trekking boots.
- One pair of hiking pants
- Rain jacket or poncho.
- Warm winter jacket
- Bring some medicine!
- Iron tablets and pills for altitude sickness
- Sun protection cream
- Reusable water container.
- Extra money.
Travel Guide about Waqrapukara Tour
Discover Peru’s cultural heritage through a one-of-a-kind journey to the remote site of Waqrapukara. Check out this guide for tips and insights on making your trek memorable!
It is a fortress of pre-Inca and Inca construction. In pre-Inca times, it was a small citadel. They called it “Llaqta Pukara,” where the Qanchi leader and his family lived. It was also used as an astronomical observatory; it had a sanctuary for the Teqci Pachakamaq Wiraqocha God.
First, it was built by the Qanchi ethnic group in the Auqarunas from 1500 to 1000 B.C. The current construction is from the Inca period, making it in the Inca Wayna Qhapaq, with the intervention of the architects of the government in Qanchimachu and Ttito Q’osñipa.
Because, at the time, the Auqarunas needed to train men, warriors, and places to defend the territory conquered by the ethnic group and tribe. Not only to protect their habitat and leader. In pre-Inca and Inca times, these leaders were called curacas; in the Colonial Period, they were called caciques. In the Purunruna period, there was no need for pucaras because they lived where they wanted.
The Q’anchis “believed that there is a Maker of all created things, which they call Teqci Wiraqocha.” “Worshipping the sun, they must have taken them from the Incas.” (Pedro Cieza, Chronicles of Peru) One day, a tall Contiti Wiraqocha Pachayachacheq came to San Pedro de Cacha and taught them about the Creator God. The men of Canas who occupied Cacha wanted to kill him, but fire descended from heaven, and they were afraid and escaped. In memory of this fact, they built a temple in Raqchi. (Juan de Betanzos, Narration of the Incas, 1551).
It has a triple-jamb doorway; it is very sacred. On the other hand, the gods created by men, such as the sun god, the moon, the stars, and others, have their sanctuaries with double-jamb doorways. The chronicler Santa Cruz calls the Tecsi Pachakamaq Wiraqocha god the invisible god. The Incas welcomed this deity; for this reason, they built a sanctuary. Cusco was in place of the cathedral. (Chronicer Juan Santa Cruz Pachacuti)
Anything you do not want to take on tour can be left safely at your accommodation. Most hotels and hostels have safes to protect your belongings. However, if you feel comfortable leaving your things there, you can bring them to our office for the tour.
Wakra Pukara is located about three hours south of Cusco by car in the Apurimac Canyon.
Water is provided at meals. However, you should also bring a refillable water bottle to avoid dehydration.
We recommend at least two days in Cusco to acclimatize sufficiently before the tour begins.
Lunch on the trek does include vegetarian and vegan options.
The highest elevation on this hike is 4,500 meters above sea level.
What’s it like?
- The landscape that surrounds Waqrapukara is overwhelming. Enjoy an alternative Inca trail to the ruins of Waqrapukara.
- Explore the other hidden wonder of Cusco, called the Waqrapukara Inca site. The panoramic views are attractive, along with the Inca constructions.
- An unforgettable experience awaits you on the Waqrapukara Trek full-day trip in Peru. Take in incredible natural sights while challenging yourself—start your journey now!
- Embark on an adventure of a lifetime—the Tour Waqrapukara 1 Day! Through spectacular valleys and challenging terrain, find yourself humbled by the grandeur of Peru.
- Explore one of the oldest civilizations in South America and embark on an unforgettable adventure! Explore the ancient ruins of Waqrapukara on a full-day tour with KONDOR PATH TOURS.
Waqrapukara Tour Full Day COST
Season 2025
Let us know if your group size is more than ten to get the best deal and help.
| Number of persons |
Price per person |
|
| 1 |
$ 306.00 USD |
|
| 2 |
$ 183.00 USD |
|
| 3 |
$ 147.00 USD |
|
| 4 |
$ 123.00 USD |
|
| 5 |
$ 114.00 USD |
|
| 6 |
$ 104.00 USD |
|
| 7 |
$ 96.00 USD |
|
| 8 |
$ 90.00 USD |
|
| 9 |
$ 86.00 USD |
|
| 10 |
$ 81.00 USD |
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INQUIRE ABOUT THE TOUR WAQRAPUKARA 1 DAY
Get ready for a fantastic adventure exploring the views and scenes of the Waqrapukara Trek Full Day Trip. Enjoy the captivating beauty around every corner!
Waqrapukara Trek
