Tour from Cusco
Waqrapukara
A full-day hike to the fortress of horns, perched above the Apurímac Canyon. It is a 2.5 km climb from Punta Carretera, with breakfast in Cusipata, a box lunch and a guide throughout the tour.
- We assist you in English on WhatsApp
- English-speaking guides
- Local agency in Cusco since 2003, registered with MINCETUR
Pickup at your lodging in Cusco between 4:20 and 5 a.m.
Explanations in English or Spanish throughout the tour
The Waqrapukara fortress, the Apurímac Canyon and the village of Santa Lucía
We confirm your booking in under 2 hours
The fortress of horns above the Apurímac Canyon, on a day trip from Cusco
Waqrapukara («fortress of horns» in Quechua) is one of the most impressive and least crowded Inca sites in Cusco: a set of terraces and ceremonial buildings on top of a two-peaked rock formation, perched above the Apurímac Canyon. You get there after a drive of about three hours to the village of Santa Lucía, with breakfast in Cusipata.
The hike starts at Punta Carretera: 2.5 kilometers uphill, in 1 hour and 30 minutes each way. At the top, the guide explains the ceremonial role of the complex and you have free time to explore it and photograph the canyon, before the box lunch and the return along the same path.
It costs US$ 85 per person and includes tourist transportation, breakfast, a box lunch, a professional guide and a first-aid kit; the entrance fee is S/ 20, paid separately. It is a moderate outing that requires you to be acclimatized: if you are looking for something easier in the same direction, see the Q’eswachaka Bridge; and if you prefer the high mountains, the Ausangate 7 Lakes.
Waqrapukara, the fortress of horns
An Inca archaeological complex on top of a two-peaked rock formation, with terraces, ceremonial buildings and sheer views down into the canyon.
The Apurímac Canyon
One of the most impressive landscapes in southern Cusco, opening up below the fortress and following much of the hike.
A 2.5 km uphill hike
1 hour and 30 minutes uphill from Punta Carretera, with elevation gain and altitude. You need to be acclimatized and reasonably fit.
A full day with meals included
Breakfast in Cusipata and a box lunch on site, a professional guide throughout the tour and return to Cusco around 6 p.m.
Itinerary
Your full day, step by step: from Cusco to Waqrapukara
- 4:20 – 5 a.m. · Pickup at your lodging in CuscoOnce the whole group is on board, we leave in tourist transportation for the village of Santa Lucía, a drive of about 3 hours.
- Cusipata · BreakfastA breakfast stop on the way before we continue.
- Santa Lucía and Punta CarreteraA detour of about 15 minutes on a zigzag road to Punta Carretera, where we get ready for the hike for about 10 minutes.
- Hike to Waqrapukara · 1 hr 30 minA climb of about 2.5 kilometers to the archaeological complex.
- Waqrapukara · Guided visit and free timeThe guide explains the importance of the site, and you have free time to explore it and photograph the Apurímac Canyon.
- Box lunch and descentBox lunch and walk back along the same path to Punta Carretera, where the vehicle waits for the group.
- ≈6 p.m. · Return to CuscoDrive back and end of the tour in the city.
What's included in your Waqrapukara tour?
No surprises and no fine print: here is exactly what the service covers and what you will pay separately on the day of the tour.
1 day (full day), approx. 4:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Up to 5,000 m (16,410 ft) above sea level
Daily predawn departure, pickup from 4:20 a.m.
English or Spanish
Included
- Guided visit to the Waqrapukara fortress and the Apurímac Canyon viewpoint
- Round-trip tourist transportation
- Breakfast in Cusipata and a box lunch during the visit
- Professional guide throughout the tour (English-speaking guides)
- First-aid kit
Not included
- Waqrapukara entrance fee (S/ 20)
- Extra drinks and snacks
- Extra expenses
- Tips
Note: the Waqrapukara entrance fee is S/ 20 per person and is paid separately, in cash, directly at the access checkpoint. It is not included in the tour price.
Frequently asked questions
Here we answer the most common questions so you can book with peace of mind.
Do I need to acclimatize before the Waqrapukara tour?
Yes. The hike is uphill and at altitude, so we recommend spending at least two days in Cusco before this tour and doing an easier outing first.
How difficult is the tour?
Moderate. It is about 2.5 kilometers uphill, taking 1 hour and 30 minutes each way, and the same path back. The guide adapts the pace to the group, but you should be reasonably fit.
Which tickets do I need to buy separately?
Only the Waqrapukara entrance fee, S/ 20 per person, paid in cash on the day.
What time does it start and how long does it take?
Pickup at your lodging is from 4:20 a.m. and the tour starts at 4:30 a.m. The drive to Santa Lucía takes about three hours, and you are expected back in Cusco around 6 p.m.
What should I bring?
Warm layers and a windbreaker, sneakers or hiking boots, a rain poncho, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water and snacks, cash for the entrance fee and your passport.
How do booking and payment work?
You can book right on this page by choosing the date and the number of travelers. We confirm your booking in under 2 hours and agree on the exact pickup time with you. If you prefer, message us on WhatsApp before booking.
What happens if the weather affects the departure?
The tour runs year-round. In the rainy season the trail can get slippery, so bring a rain jacket. If conditions do not allow a safe hike, we agree with you on a date change or a suitable alternative.
How much does the Waqrapukara tour cost?
The price is US$ 85 per person. It includes the guided visit to the fortress and the Apurímac Canyon viewpoint, round-trip tourist transportation, breakfast in Cusipata, the box lunch during the visit, a professional guide throughout the tour and the first-aid kit. The Waqrapukara entrance fee is S/ 20 and is paid separately, in cash.
How hard is the hike to Waqrapukara?
Moderate. It is 2.5 kilometers uphill, taking about 1 hour and 30 minutes each way, and the same path back. It is not technical and requires no special gear, but it is at altitude, so it is best to have already spent two or three days in Cusco and done an easier outing first.
What is Waqrapukara and why is it so little known?
It is a ceremonial Inca archaeological complex built on a two-peaked rock (hence the name, «fortress of horns»), with terraces and buildings perched above the Apurímac Canyon. It lies outside the usual Sacred Valley circuits and requires a hike at altitude, so it gets far fewer visitors than similar sites, and that is a big part of its charm.
Ready to book or have a question?
Talk to one of our travel advisors in English. We reply Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Peru time, GMT-5).