The Waqrapukara hike might just be my number one favourite hike I did during my 7 months in Peru! And yes, I’m including Machu Picchu (but I didn’t do the Inca Trail or the Salkantay Trek). Of course Machu Picchu was the most impressive construction and the hiking around there (especially up the Waynapicchu mountain) was a once in a lifetime experience. However, as mind blowing as Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain were, they were also overrun by tourists. Don’t get me wrong, I understand why and was one of those tourists myself. But, at the same time, it does take away something from the experience of being in nature I think.
That’s where the Waqrapukara hike comes in. You see a very interesting archaeological monument from the Inkas, but the real highlight for me was the incredible nature. It’s still not super popular like some other attractions (though I think it might be one day) which makes it feel even more special. I think it’s still a hidden treasure. I found the colours of the flowers, plants and grass and the shape of the Anpuimac canyon to be breathtaking views.
So let’s get into the details!
What are the Waqrapukara ruins?
The Waqrapukara ruins are an incredible archaeological site and national cultural heritage site that is said to have been an Inca Sanctuary. It was originally built by The Canchis, another ancient civilisation in South America, but conquered by the Incas. The name Waqrapukara is Quechua (the native language of the Incas) for horn fortress, which, when you you see it, will make a lot of sense. This horn-shaped fortress is a beautiful sacred place surrounded by gorgeous nature and spectacular views.
As of the time of my visit in 2024 there was no cost to enter this site. So you’re only looking at the cost of transportation and optionally, a tour.
Where is the Waqrapukara hike?
Waqrapukara is located in the Acomayo province in the Cusco region, about a 3.5 hour drive from the city of Cusco. It is located in the Apurimac canyon, south of Cusco, and close to the town of Santa Lucía. The Waqrapukara ruins are located 4122 meters above sea level, so make sure you are aware of the risks and preventative measures of altitude sickness. If you have spent some time in Cusco first, you should be okay.
How long does the trip take?
This is a full day trip from Cusco, and I mean a very full day! It could be considered a full day hike on it’s own, but paired with the round trip driving, you should count on leaving early and arriving back late if you wish to complete this in one day. The other option, depending how adventurous you’re feeling, would be to spend a night or two somewhere in the area. Since this hike is to the south of Peru, some great things to pair it with would be rainbow mountain, the Queshuachaca Inca bridge spanning the Amurimac river, La Raya hot springs, or you could make it a stop on your way to Puno, or Bolivia.
All that said, don’t be discouraged as a lot of the drive is beautiful too! You drive through local communities and get to admire the beautiful Andean landscape. When I went, we made a brief stop at a gorgeous lake. We didn’t have much time to spend there but it was the perfect place to break up the drive, have a little snack and a coffee and admire the views. We even met the cutest little puppy!
How to get there? Should I take a guided tour?
There are a few options to consider when you plan your Waqrapukara hike, all with pros and cons.
Waqrapukara Full Day Tour from Cusco
This is your easiest option. Most tour operators offer will offer this tour. Even if it’s not listed, if you found a company you like you can always ask and they will most likely be able to make it happen for you, whether that’s by adding you to a group from another company or setting up a private tour for you with your own tour guide. This isn’t a super popular tour route (yet!) so it might be a little more costly that some of the other more established tours, but like always, ask around! Here’s my recommendation: GV Expeditions.
There are a lot of advantages to going with a group: you don’t have to worry about logistics and you will have a knowledgeable guide to explain things about the archaeological site to you.
Hiring Private Transport
This is what I did and it worked out amazingly. However, it is best if you have a larger group. You can always see if you can create a group of people from your hostel or some people you met on another tour. Honestly, the more the better, up until like 12 or so! From here you can approach a transport company and see how much they charge for a full day for a private van. I was in a group of 8 and we paid 50 soles each for the whole day.
And this way, they drive you there, wait for you, and then drive you back. It also allows you to start and end your hike at different points, so you don’t have to back track and can see more of this amazing place! You don’t get a tour guide for the hike, but you don’t need to worry about directions for the drive. A good compromise I think. When I went there was also someone there to maintain the site and keep track of the number of visitors.
In my opinion, this is the best way to go, if you can find the people for it.
Renting a Car
Another option is renting a car. This leaves you with a bit more responsibility of in terms of navigation, driving out of the hectic city and the unpaved road once you’re closer, but also more freedom! If you opt for this option for your Waqrapukara hike, you might want to make it a multi day trip out of the city and check out some of the other attractions of the South end of the city I mentioned before. That is rainbow mountain, the Queshuachaca Inca bridge spanning the Amurimac river, La Raya hot springs, or even making it a stop on your way to Puno, or Bolivia
Using Public Transit
Now if you know me, you know I’m usually a public transit girlie. As a big fan of budget travel and saving money, it’s rare I don’t recommend this option. But in this case, I don’t and I’ll tell you why.
The short answer is, it’s very inconvenient, difficult to manage, and won’t actually save you very much money in the end. You can certainly hop in a bus or collectivo from the city of Cusco to get closer, but at some point, you will still have to take a taxi to get to the trail head. This can be pretty costly, particularly if you are alone. It also typically ends up taking a lot longer as leaves you with the trouble of what to do at the end of the hike. Hitch hike? Pay a taxi to wait? Hope you get lucky? Not ideal.
I didn’t even attempt this for this particular hike, but I did another time to visit the Queshuachaca Inca Bridge (also South of Cusco) and had a really hard time. I was in a group of 3, one of which was Peruvian which is very helpful for these things. Still, we had to make make many stops, getting closer and closer with the collectivos, until we got a taxi for the last stretch and the cost definitely did add up.
That said, if you are up for an adventure and want to give it a try I totally respect that! I found some really helpful information regarding this in a few of the reviews of this hike on All Trails, check them out here!
What to Bring?
Make sure you bring your usual hiking essentials, plus potentially a few extras!
- Comfortable hiking boots
- A rain jacket – whether you check the weather conditions ahead of time or not, I’d definitely throw one in your bag, especially if it’s rainy season. When I went on this hike in March it started out and finished as a beautiful day but we had a hiking in the rain segment. Luckily there was a bit of roof cover near the actual site to wait some of it out!
- First Aid Kit – a good idea just in case! There weren’t a lot of other people around for parts of the hike.
- A box lunch and some snacks – otherwise it will be a very long day!
- Plenty of water – there weren’t any opportunities to buy more on the trail like a lot of places in Peru.
- A camera to capture the spectacular views of course!
Have a Great Time on The Waqrapukara hike!
If you go on this hike, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! I’d love to hear about your experience. How did you get there and what did you think? Let me and future readers know in the comments.
Other posts about Peru you might like:
- Hot Springs and Thermal Baths in Peru You Need to Visit
- Typical Peruvian Drinks You Need To Try in Peru
- The Best Gifts and Souvenirs to Buy in Peru
