Waqrapukara is a new tourist attraction that remains almost unknown until today. The tour is suitable for those seeking a spirituality that is drowned in the sea of commercial tours. Waqrapukara is a pre-Inca archaeological complex located in the Acomayo province within the Cusco region, near the Apurímac River. The main construction is located on platforms, squares and a so-called «Bosque de Piedras». From its height of 4,140 meters above sea level, it offers spectacular views of the Apurímac River and the Andes.
WAQRAPUKARA TOUR ITINERARY
Its name comes from Quechua, "waqra" means horn, while "pukara" means fortress. Therefore, the meaning of the name translates as a "horned fortress" given by its typical form. However, the locals also called it "Llamapukara", as they claim that the shape does not represent horns, but ears of a lama.
It was built by the pre-Inca Qanchis culture in the period called "Auqaruna" (1,500 BC - 1,000 BC). During this period, the complex was a city called "Llaqta Pukara" and home to a leader of the Yankees. It also served as an astronomical observatory and sanctuary for the god "Teqci Pachakamaq Wiraqocha" (a creator of all created things). Subsequently, it was conquered by the Incas, who have molded the buildings to geography during the reign of Wayna Qhapaq. Then it became a first-class Inca sanctuary that symbolizes an immense political and religious power that has not yet been confused. In 2017, the complex was declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation by the Ministry of Culture of Peru.
Waqrapukara Archaeological Complex. Cultural Heritage of the Nation of 2017.
It was built by the Qinchas and later conquered by the Incas. The building is located on platforms, squares and a stone forest, it would be an Inca sanctuary. Waqrapukara has a privileged view of the Apurímac River.
Waqrapucara details
Maximum Altitude: 4,140 meters / 13,580 feet
Minimum Altitude: 3,096 meters / 10,157 feet
Duration of the walk: 6 hours
Trekking distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Weather: Cold
Waqrapukara is the archaeological monument located in Acos, Acomayo province in Cuzco, which has been declared a National Cultural Heritage by the Vice Minister of Cultural Property. This Inca monument is located on the slopes of Mount Kenter, has a privileged view of the Apurímac River and has two groups of buildings.
The first group is located at the top, in the middle of a rocky dam, where you can see two enclosures separated by a wide central space. The enclosures have halls, ornamental niches and doors with double jambs; its architecture seems to be similar to that of other ceremonial buildings.
The second enclosure is located at the bottom, and has 8 platforms 153 meters long and 1.80 meters high, which correspond to the topography of the terrain.
Some inhabitants of Acos also call it Llamapukara; and although its origins go back to pre-Inca times, its foundations were built by the Q’anchi, and the Inca construction was built during the sovereign period of the Tahuantinsuyo Wayna Qhapaq. MORE CUSCO TOURS.
Ausangate is the representative mountain of the Andes of Cusco and Peru. It is located in the Vilcanota mountain range and is one of the most difficult areas to enter and that is very rare in Peru. Its main climate is 6,372 meters above sea level with large lagoons with a bright green / blue color. In addition there are rocks that make the area like a paradise and very modern. The Trek Ausangate is an indescribable adventure, and it is impossible not to be impressed by the enormous beauty of eternal snow. Often you will find stones at a height of more than 5000 meters and also rocks covered with ice tongues that when thawing, extending in magnificent ways forming ice lagoons. The Ausangate trek is one of the tourist destinations in Cusco.
AUSANGATE LAGOONS ITINERARIO.
In the Inca mythology of this mountain and the nearby lakes - among which Sibinacocha stands out - the male energy is born that fertilizes the mother earth Pachamama, after a long flow, the waters are lost in the unknown lands of the Amazon to return, to fill the lakes and glaciers every night turned into the river of stars or Willkamayu known in the west as the Milky Way The Community of Chillca made up of shepherds of llamas and alpacas is known as the guardian of these pristine places, from where it can be done mountain walks spending the night in comfortable hostels or tambos, among which Machuracay Tambo stand out, in a trek called "Camino del Apu Ausangate".
Every year on the north side of Ausangate the feast of Quyllur Rit'i (Quechua: "star snow") is celebrated before the feast of Corpus Christi, during which thousands of Quechua pilgrims to the Lord of Quyllur Rit'i in the church from Sinakara. Snowy Ausangate normally takes a 7-day tour, it is an adventure that no one should miss.
If you do not have much time to be in Cusco this tour to Machu Picchu is the ideal option one for you. You will know the most important sectors of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu then you will have an hour to continue touring on your own, finally returning to the city of Cusco.
MACHU PICCHU TOUR
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at around 6:00 a.m. to head to Ollantaytambo. We will arrive at about 7:30 a.m. and from there we will take a train to Aguas Calientes. The trip from Cusco to Aguas Calientes takes about 4 hours, and there are many spectacular views along the way. Passing through lush fields and colorful villages in the foothills of the Andes, we will also go by the Urubamba River which runs through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our staff will be waiting for you at the train station in Aguas Calientes at 09:15 a.m. and together we will take the bus up to Machu Picchu through a zigzagging path on a 25-minute bus ride. Once in Machu Picchu, from 10:00 am to 01:00 pm, our guide will have a guided tour. You will see the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Solar Clock, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Royal Inca Cemeteries. The guided tour lasts about 3 hours and after the tour you will have some free time to explore, take pictures,or just walk around the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. So get your camera ready and enjoy your visit to Machu Picchu, One of the 7 Modern Wonders of the World! You will have the afternoon free to have lunch, visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes or visit the small market or museum. You can have lunch in the town of Aguas Calientes or a special one at the Sanctuary Lodge Hotel (lunch is not included in the package). Finally, at around 06:00 pm you will travel by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and then by bus to Cusco. The transfer to your hotel is at around 10:30 pm. Keep in mind that this is just a sample package which may experience small changes due to availability and train departures.
DAY 1: CITY TOUR CUSCO
We'll be waiting for you at the airport in Cusco on your arrival date , take you to the hotel where you will rest for an hour , you'll have a cup of coca tea and we will pick you up from your Hotel in the afternoon (from 13:30 hrs to 18:30 hrs) to start with the tour around Cusco and outskirts. Tour around Cusco and outskirts: We pick you up from your Hotel to start visiting the following attractives , with aprofessional guide: - The Koricancha Palace andConvent of Santo Domingo Religious center known as "The Temple of the Sun" where you will admire the impressive engineering used in its construction. The Cathedral:Colonial religious monument of extraordinary artistic value. Sacsayhuaman: Located 3 km from the city of Cusco,impressive stone fortress monumental and magnificent architecture, famous for its enormous carved stones,some of which are at9 m/ 30 feettall and weigh of 350 tons. Here is where the Inty Raymi or Fiesta del Sol in June take place every year. Qenqo: Ceremonial and ritual center, amphitheater where sacrifices were made. Puca-Pucara: An old tambo (resting place), monitoring placethroughout the Inka Empire Routes. Tambomachay: At 7 Km. From the city of Cusco,ceremonial center of worship of water , traditionally known as the place of water.Excursiontime: around 5 hours. Frequency : everyday in the afternoons.
DAY 2: CUSCO - SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
This day we take a trip to the Sacred Valley of the Incas: visit the Pisac Incas built, the colorful Andean market and the church. Then we pass places like Lamay and Calca on the way to arrive in Urubamba town where we stop for lunch. After lunch visit to Ollantaytambo town, where we can see its typical streets, the impressive archaeological constructions and agricultural terracing, not to mention the splendid views over the sacred valley. Finally, visit the picturesque Andean village of Chinchero where the built of the royal hacienda Of Tupac Inca Yupanqui lie. You can admire the well preserved Inca wall in the main square, and visit the beautiful colonial temple. Built on Inca foundations with interesting paintings. Overnight in Cusco
DAY 3: CUSCO - MACHUPICCHU
Pick up at the hotel to take the train for a full day tour of the Magical citadel of Machu Picchu, it is 112 Km. from Cusco .During the journey we see the Urubamba canyon, Urubamba River and the show capped peaks of the Veronica Mountain. Arriving in Aguas Calientes we go to Machu Picchu where we visit this wonderful Inca Sanctuary also known as “The lost City of the Incas “one of the best known examples of surviving Inca. After the visit, we come back to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Cusco.
DAY 4: DEPARTURE FROM CUSCO
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take you to the airport.
