TREK WAQRAPUKARA INCA RUINS 1 DAY
The most
beautiful jewel of Inca architecture, located very close to the Apurímac River
canyon, has a perfect combination with the surreal nature that surrounds this
Inca ceremonial center. This is a great one-day adventure to learn about and
appreciate the Inca culture that survives in the inhabitants of the various
towns that inhabit the mountains near this Inca sanctuary.
ITINERARIO
Very early at 05:30 we leave Cusco, in private transport for 2 hours to the town of Cusipata where we have breakfast, then we continue 1 hour to Sangrará, a beautiful colonial town from where we take the 40-minute detour to Accopampa (3350 masl) which is the starting point of the walk.
After a short rest, we begin the 2 ½ hour walk. On the way we see the Apurimac canyon, the mountains of the Andes mountain range, high Andean lagoons, alpacas and llamas that the inhabitants raise for their daily sustenance.
Arriving at Waqrapukara we have a 2-hour guided tour where we can appreciate the different constructions that this wonder has. At the end we return by the same road to our transport to return to Cusco.
INCLUDED:
- Private round
trip transportation - Professional
guide - Breakfast
- Lunch
- Admission
tickets
WHAT PASANGER MUST BRING:
• Original passport
• Water bottle
• Insect repellent
• Sun block
• Sun glasses
• Hat
• Comfortable hiking shoes
The archaeological site of Waqrapukara is an Inca fortress located on top of a mountain south of Cusco. Its name comes from a Quechua word that means ‘Horn-shaped fortress’ as this construction is between two rock formations in the shape of horns. Its walls, terraces, temples and enclosures are made on the basis of structures from the Canchis culture, which inhabited this area of Cusco until the Incas conquered it and built their buildings. In 2017, Waqrapukara was declared by the Government of Peru as ‘Cultural Heritage of the Nation’. Today, it is one of the new tourist attractions of Cuzco.
The Waqrapukara fortress was a fortress initially built by the Canchis culture, which coexisted with the Incas in the century and was established south of the city of Cusco. Both groups battled for control of the region. They also joined forces to fight their common enemies, the Chancas. Thus, the Canchis ended up allying with the Incas in the period of Inca expansion. The Incas built the most perfect temples and enclosures in the area in Waqrapukara.
Its temples with three jambs located in the highest part stand out, right in the middle of the two large rocky mounds that form the horns of the mountain. There are up to four roads or trails that lead to the archaeological site. Legend has it that the Inca general T’ito Qosñipa, who had his army in Canchis, rebelled against the Inca emperor Huayna Capac. An Inca army cornered him but the warrior took refuge in the Waqrapukara fortress where he managed to easily defeat his enemies, due to the special geography in the upper part of the mountain. The Inca emperor cut off his water supply and forced him to surrender. As punishment, the Inca spared his life but cut off one of his ears. Years later, T’ito Qosñipa was one of the most courageous and faithful warriors of the Inca.
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