Book now and complete the balance upon arrival in Cusco.
What do you think of the idea of escaping the city and the big crowds to visit a unique and off-the-beaten-path place? The day hike to Waqrapukara is the best option to enjoy peace and tranquility and discover an incredible site that very few people get to visit: locals and tourists!
The Waqrapukara hike is a new and recently promoted tourist attraction in Cusco located in the province of Acomayo near the Apurimac River at 4,300 meters above sea level. (13,123 pastels), south of the city of Cusco. Waqrapukara has not yet been deciphered and can be considered as a fortress, a sanctuary or an astronomical observatory. It was initially built by the Quinchas and later conquered by the Incas. This tour will take you to a different and unusual destination, where you will enjoy the spectacular landscapes, different lagoons, abysses of the Apurímac canyon, and you will also connect with the nature and energy of this incredible place.
This amazing day adventure starts early. We will pick you up at your accommodation around 4:00 am. and follow a two-hour drive to the town of Quiquijana. From there, and once you have enjoyed a healthy breakfast to recharge your batteries, we will continue bordering the sparkling Pomacanchi lagoon, one of the largest in the area.
After that, we will continue our route for an hour and a half along a dirt road to the town of Santa Lucía, contemplating an incredible landscape around us and even looking at the lagoon in the distance. From the town, we will undertake a final 30-minute trip to the starting point of our walk. There you will have time to collect your things before starting. The first section lasts around 1.5 hours, taking in the magnificent Apurimac Canyon, one of the deepest in Peru, and the spectacular landscapes dotted with cliffs along the way.
When we arrive at the Waqrapukara viewpoint you can rest a little and take your first photos of the impressive fortress that emerges on the edge of a canyon. Then, we will descend a steep path to the site at the edge of a cliff while we appreciate the Apurímac River flowing down.
You will be able to explore the archaeological site for approximately an hour and a half; You will climb through the remains of the temple and take photographs of its famous horn-shaped rock formation and the fantastic landscape of the canyon. The site itself also features enigmatic buildings from the pre-Inca and Inca periods, terraces, and an incredible backstory, making it a perfect place to learn about ancient Andean culture. Without a doubt, the place will surely leave you breathless from start to finish.
Finally, when the group is ready, we will begin the hike back the way we came. We will arrive by private transportation after approximately an hour and a half of walking, and we will return to Cusco, arriving at approximately 6:00 p.m.
The night before your trip to Waqrapukara hike 1 day, information meetings are held at your hotel at 6 pm with your trekking guide. And if you cannot attend at this time, you must arrange to do it at another time.
During the briefing, you will receive your duffel bag for your belongings that you intend to take on the hike, which will not be in your backpack.
These informational meetings last approximately 30 to 40 minutes.
When traveling through the Andes in Peru, some people will experience effects of the altitude. But these day hikes like the Waqrapukara hike 1 day help you acclimatize for the next longer or higher hikes you may take. If in case you suffer from altitude sickness, we have what it takes to help you with the symptoms.
The trek you have booked must be paid in full at the time of breifing or days before departure.
We would greatly appreciate it if you would pay the balance of the trip in cash in US dollars or in local currency. To withdraw here in Cusco we have several ATMs along Av. El Sol (either in US dollars or in local Peruvian soles).
You can pay by credit card or PAYPAL online, but you will have to pay an 8% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. We do not accept bank checks or payment of the balance with traveler’s checks.
Our PERU TREK Company transports will pick you up from your hotel, as long as you are in the Historic Center of Cusco. Pick-up time will be coordinated with your guide at the briefing. The pick-up time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes due to traffic.
Cusco is a very old city, therefore it has many narrow and cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnb may be located on streets with no car access or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to carry luggage. We strongly recommend that you book an accommodation with good access.
We recommend drinking plenty of water and drinking coca tea that can be ordered wherever you want, it can also be prepared with boiled water and dried coca leaves. At least one day before the Waqrapukara hike 1 day we recommend you eat light foods and if you have any medication prescribed by your doctor you can take it and the best thing you can do is keep in mind that you will be fine.
Group tours are made up of different types of people. Physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also agree that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, everyone can go at their own pace on the route. It may be the case that a group wants to modify the route; however, it will be the guide who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if such modifications can be made.
Of course! During the trip, your main luggage can be stored in our office (you can coordinate during the day of the briefing or by email) or at your hotel, both for free.
Any equipment you don’t need on the trek can be safely stored at your hotel. Almost all hotels will offer this service. Do not leave valuables with your bags, put them in the hotel safe and get an itemized receipt (in the unlikely event of theft, many insurance companies require you to have a copy of the receipt with all items). It’s best to put items like credit cards in a sealed and signed envelope for added peace of mind.
Strikes and demonstrations are often frequent in Peru, and this can interrupt some of our planned tours. They can block the roads and take control of the railroad tracks. However, we will try to keep your tour as planned, even if it means leaving the night before your scheduled date. In these circumstances, tours can also be canceled. In case of changes or cancellations, all situations will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our top priority and decisions will be made appropriately.
You are responsible for your personal belongings during the Waqrapukara hike 1 day. Please pay attention to where you leave your belongings and remember to take everything once you leave your bus, tents, and restaurants.
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My partner and I did this hike, it is really incredible and surreal. The Peru Trek staff was friendly and helpful at all times. I am very happy to have done this hike with this great team.