Waqrapukara Hike – Full-Day Tour

We begin our adventure at 4:00 a.m., departing from Cusco with our professional guide and driver. After a 1.5-hour drive, we arrive at the town of Cusipata, where we enjoy a traditional homemade breakfast.

We continue along a paved road, crossing the Chuquicahuana bridge, and make a short stop at Pumacanchi Lagoon to appreciate its scenic beauty and rich wildlife. Passing through the town of Sangarará, we leave the paved road and ascend in zigzag up to Aqomoqo Pass (4,350 m / 14,272 ft) — the starting point of our hike.

At 8:30 a.m., we begin a 6 km hike (approx. 2 hours) along a mostly flat and slightly downhill trail with stunning Andean landscapes. By 10:30 a.m., we reach our final destination: the majestic archaeological site of Waqrapukara (4,200 m / 13,780 ft). Here, accompanied by our professional guide, we explore this impressive Inca administrative, religious, military, and astronomical center.

After marveling at the site and taking photos, we’ll enjoy a light snack with views of the fortress. We then return to the starting point of the trail and board our transport back to Cusco, with an estimated arrival between 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Alternative Routes to Waqrapukara

In addition to the shared tour route, there are other ways to reach the fortress:

• Route via Huayqui village

  • Distance: 8 km

  • Duration: ~3 hours uphill

  • Highlights: More demanding hike that passes by prehistoric rock paintings. From Waqrapukara, it’s a 25-minute walk to reach them.

• Route via Santa Lucía village (used for shared tours)

  • Distance: 4 km

  • Duration: ~1 hour and 20 minutes at a slow pace

  • Highlights: The shortest and easiest route, suitable for all fitness levels.

• Other routes available, depending on interest and physical ability.