Peru's national tour operator

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Waqrapukara hike 1 day tour from Cusco

The most complete tour to Waqrapukara from Cusco, be amazed by the landscapes and steep mountains, all inclusive 1 day tour.

From:

$45USD

per person

Secure your spot with only 50%

53 + verified reviews

Confirmation

Immediate

Duration

13 Hours

Difficulty

Moderate

Daily departures

365 days a year

Trip type

Group or private

Save your spot with only 50%

Waqrapukara hike 1 day tour from Cusco

The most complete way to discover Waqrapukara from Cusco in just one day.

Hike through the Andes, mountain and canyon landscapes, and visit the impressive Inca fortress of Waqrapukara.

Experience a different adventure away from the traditional routes of Cusco.

Group Tour

Private Tour

Day 1: Waqrapukara hike 1 day tour from Cusco

Your experience at a glance:

4:15 AM

Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco

6:30 AM

Breakfast in Cusipata

7:15 AM

Trip to Santa Lucía

8:00 AM

Start of the hike to Waqrapukara

9:00 AM

Guided exploration of Waqrapukara

1:30 PM

Traditional lunch in Cusipata

2:30 PM

Return trip to Cusco

5:30 PM

End of the tour at Plaza Regocijo in Cusco.

4:30 a.m. - Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco

We will pick you up directly from your hotel located within the tourist area of Cusco. Aboard our tourist transportation, we will begin the journey toward the south of the region, passing through the landscapes of the Peruvian Andes.

6:30 a.m. - Breakfast in Cusipata (included)

We will arrive in the district of Cusipata to enjoy a traditional Andean breakfast and prepare for the hike to one of the most surprising archaeological sites in Cusco.

7:15 a.m. - Trip to Santa Lucía

We will continue the journey by tourist transportation, passing by Pomacanchi Lagoon and various high-Andean landscapes until reaching the community of Santa Lucía, the starting point of the adventure.

8:00 a.m. - Start of the hike to Waqrapukara

We will begin an approximately one-hour hike along natural trails surrounded by mountains, valleys, and rock formations until reaching the archaeological complex of Waqrapukara, located at 4,300 m above sea level.

9:00 a.m. - Guided tour of Waqrapukara

We will explore this ancient Inca sanctuary and fortress with our professional guide. You will learn about the history of Waqrapukara, its ceremonial structures, and its impressive location above deep Andean canyons.

11:00 a.m. - Free time for photographs

Enjoy time to explore the main viewpoints, admire the characteristic horn-shaped rock formations that give the site its name, and capture unique panoramic photographs.

12:00 p.m. - Return to the tourist transportation

After exploring Waqrapukara, we will begin the hike back to Santa Lucía, where our transportation will be waiting to continue the journey.

1:30 p.m. - Traditional lunch (included)

In Cusipata, we will enjoy a lunch prepared with local products, ideal for recovering energy after the mountain experience.

2:30 p.m. - Return trip to Cusco

We will board our tourist transportation to begin the return journey, once again enjoying the natural landscapes of the southern highlands of Peru.

5:30 p.m. - End of the experience

Our 1-day Waqrapukara Tour ends with the transfer to your hotel in Cusco, concluding a day of history, nature, and adventure in the Andes.

Vista de Waqrapukara durante el tour Full Day con Get in Peru

Considerations of the area

Maximum altitude

4300 m.a.s.l. / 14107 ft

Minimum altitude

4140 m.a.s.l. / 13582 ft

Distance

2 km

Maximum temperature

21°C / 69°F

Minimum temperature

8°C / 46°F

Expert Travel Recommendations

Why take the 1 day Waqrapukara Tour?

The 1 day Waqrapukara Tour is an excellent option to discover one of the most impressive and less crowded archaeological sites in Cusco. The excursion combines Andean landscapes, hiking, and culture, with the opportunity to discover Waqrapukara and its characteristic formation surrounded by mountains and deep canyons.

Is the 1 day Waqrapukara Tour from Cusco worth it?

Yes. The 1 day Waqrapukara Tour from Cusco is especially worthwhile for travelers interested in archaeology, photography, and nature.

Who is the 1 day Waqrapukara Tour NOT recommended for?

The 1 day Waqrapukara Tour is not recommended for travelers who have not yet acclimatized to the altitude or who have difficulty hiking on Andean terrain.

Why is this tour different?

Vista de Waqrapukara durante el tour Full Day con Get in Peru

Book with confidence

INCLUDED

Our Waqrapukara Full Day Tour from Cusco includes:

    • 24/7 support and assistance during and after your booking.
    • Professional mountain guide.
    • Modern transportation with all licenses up to date.
    • Breakfast.
    •  Lunch.
    • All entrance fees to the natural park.
    • Oxygen.
    • First aid kit.
  • Dinner.
  • Tips for the guides.
  • Travel insurance (Peruvian laws suggest that you enter Peru with an insurance policy purchased in your country of origin).
  • We work with some medical clinics and can help you arrange medical care in case you need it (the clinics will apply the insurance you previously purchased; however, they do not offer travel insurance).
  • Personal medications.
  • A legible photo of your passport.
  • Small daypack (with a rain cover if possible).
  • Water (we recommend bringing 1L per day).
  • Rain poncho or jacket.
  • Extra snacks.
  • Hiking shoes and pants.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
  • Lip balm.
  • Warm clothing (jacket, sweater, fleece, long-sleeve shirts, etc.).
  • Cash in SOLES (Peruvian currency).

AVOID SCAMS!
GET IN PERU will only charge you a 50% deposit to reserve your seats and tickets.

The remaining amount must be paid 3 days before your departure.

Contact your travel advisor to learn more details or visit our Terms of Service Agreement.

Travel your way

$ Price per person

Our tour packages are available in both group and private formats. Consult with one of our travel experts to tailor your journey and enjoy a personalized experience led by our specialized local guides.

Budget friendly

Group Tour

From:

$45USD

per person

Recommended experience

Private Tour

From:

$140USD

per person

Minimum 2 travelers

Always Included

Recommended experience

Private Tour

From:

$140USD

per person

Minimum 2 travelers

Budget friendly

Group Tour

From:

$45USD

per person

Always Included

Secure your spot with only 50%

Pay the rest later

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Shera Zad - Panama
Shera Zad - Panama
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We are from the Shera Zad group. Our experience with GET IN PERU was great! They gave us the best attention and service. We had an excellent tour and tour guide. They met our expectations, and we had a great vacation. Thank you...
Nicole - Colombia
Nicole - Colombia
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Highly recommended agency, everyone was very kind and always willing to help and answer questions. All the organization and logistics for each of the places we visited were perfect, on time, and exactly as described in each itinerary. Excellent service!
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Bibiana - Ecuador
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GET IN PERÚ made our trip to Peru unforgettable. From the moment we were looking at options and itineraries, until the moment they dropped us back off at the airport, they were looking out for us and always ready to help. Highly recommended, I still have several places left to visit and I would definitely return with them.
Adriana - Colombia
Adriana - Colombia
Verified Traveler
I had the pleasure of traveling with a group of friends to Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain under the guidance and advice of David and his team. One of the best travel experiences, they were always very attentive, willing to resolve any questions, and ready to help you with photos so you could take home great memories; they turned the trip into an unforgettable adventure full of professionalism and camaraderie. I hope to return to Cusco for more amazing trips... 100% recommended.
Juliet - France
Juliet - France
Verified Traveler
We took a tour of Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain and it was a great and wonderful experience. They were very attentive and their assistance was highly personalized. When I return, I will definitely call them again 😊
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Jadhyra M. - USA
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My partner and I had a great time with the organization of GET IN PERÚ. We loved how flexible they were with us since my boyfriend is a heavy sleeper. They were always willing to help and are, without a doubt, highly trustworthy. Very attentive and also very gentlemanly.
Miguel - Mexico
Miguel - Mexico
Verified Traveler
From the very beginning of the trip, everything was excellent. The support with making payments and their punctuality upon our arrival gave us a lot of peace of mind, as it was our first experience in another country. All the guides were very well-prepared and great people, very kind. Everything was on time and there was never a single setback. Honestly, this was a fundamental part of making it an incredible experience. Highly recommended, thank you for everything!!!

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Everything you need to know before traveling

The 1 day Waqrapukara tour from Cusco combines a road trip south of Cusco with a mountain hike and a guided visit to the archaeological site. The experience begins at approximately 4:15 AM with pick-up from your hotel and continues to Cusipata for breakfast before traveling to Santa Lucía.

From there, the hike to Waqrapukara begins, where you can explore the archaeological complex and admire the mountainous landscape that surrounds it. After the visit, you will return to Cusipata for lunch and finally return to Cusco at approximately 5:30 PM.

💡 Get In Peru Tip: Get a good night’s rest the night before. Although it is a one-day tour, it combines several hours of travel with a high-altitude hike.

🥾 Did you know? Arriving well-rested will allow you to better manage your energy during the trek and enjoy your visit to Waqrapukara more comfortably.

In our itinerary, the hike to Waqrapukara begins at approximately 8:00 AM, after traveling from Cusipata to Santa Lucía. The exact time and distance may vary depending on the access route used and the pace of the group, as there are different routes to reach the site.

As a reference, operators using the Santa Lucía access describe routes of approximately 2.5 km and 1 hour and 30 minutes of ascent, although it should not be assumed that all routes to Waqrapukara have the same distance.

💡 Get In Peru Tip: Walk at a steady pace from the beginning and avoid trying to keep up with the fastest travelers.

🫁Did you know? Waqrapukara is located in a high-altitude area, and maintaining a steady pace helps you manage physical effort better.

The hike to Waqrapukara has a moderate difficulty mainly due to the altitude, mountain terrain, and the effort required to complete the route. You do not need technical mountaineering experience, but it is recommended to have an adequate level of physical fitness for hiking in the Andes.

Currently, different specialized operators classify the trek as moderate or medium difficulty.

💡 Get In Peru Tip: If you have just arrived in Cusco from a city located at sea level, try to do quieter activities first before taking on high-altitude hikes.

🏔️Did you know? At Waqrapukara, the real challenge is not only the distance: the altitude makes the effort feel greater than on a similar hike at a lower elevation.

MINCETUR Tourist Resources. The site is located in the province of Acomayo, department of Cusco. Precisely because of its location in the Andes, the altitude should be considered when preparing for the excursion, especially if you come from areas close to sea level.

💡 Get In Peru Tip: Hydrate properly from the day before and carry enough water during the excursion.

💧 Did you know? Doing physical activity at around 4,300 meters requires better management of your effort, and arriving properly hydrated helps you face the day more comfortably.

The name Waqrapukara comes from Quechua: waqra means “horn” and pukara, “fortress”, so it is usually interpreted as “Horn Fortress.” This is officially recorded in MINCETUR’s tourism inventory.

Its importance goes far beyond its peculiar shape. In 2017, the Ministry of Culture declared the Waqrapukara Pre-Hispanic Archaeological Monument Cultural Heritage of the Nation, under the classification of Archaeological Landscape.

💡 Get In Peru Tip: Don’t limit yourself to looking for the classic photograph of the “horns”; pay attention to the guide’s explanation and how the architecture integrates with the surroundings.

🏛️ Did you know? Understanding Waqrapukara as an archaeological landscape allows you to appreciate that its value depends not only on its structures, but also on its relationship with the territory that surrounds them.

The Waqrapukara tour allows you to combine archaeology, trekking, and high-Andean landscapes in a single excursion. Once at the site, you will have a guided tour to discover the complex and time to contemplate and photograph its surroundings.

MINCETUR officially registers Waqrapukara as a tourist resource where activities such as hiking, landscape, flora, fauna, and bird observation, as well as photography, can be enjoyed.

💡 Get In Peru Tip: Bring your phone or camera with enough battery from Cusco and avoid relying solely on a power bank.

📸 Did you know? An important part of the experience is the landscape during the hike, not only the final photograph in front of Waqrapukara.

To visit Waqrapukara, we recommend wearing sneakers or trekking boots with good grip, comfortable pants, a breathable shirt, and clothing that you can add or remove in layers. It is also advisable to bring a cap or hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a waterproof garment.

Due to the altitude and the open mountain environment, conditions may feel different throughout the same day.

💡 Get In Peru Tip: Dress in layers instead of wearing a single jacket that is too thick.

🌤️ Did you know? You will start the tour very early and then hike in a mountain environment; layers allow you to adapt your clothing as the temperature and your activity level change.

For those who prioritize trail conditions and views, the driest months in the Andes of Cusco are usually especially attractive for doing the Waqrapukara trek. However, the experience changes depending on the season and the weather conditions of each day.

More important than choosing a month based solely on photographs is checking the expected conditions before doing a mountain hike.

💡 Get In Peru Tip: If you travel during the rainy season, bring waterproof protection even when the sky is clear when leaving Cusco.

🌧️ Did you know? On mountain routes, conditions can change during the day, and a wet trail requires walking with greater caution.

The Waqrapukara tour from Cusco is recommended for travelers looking to combine archaeology, nature, and trekking and who prefer to discover a site outside the more conventional tourist circuits of Cusco.

It is also an interesting alternative if you have already visited attractions such as Machu Picchu or the Sacred Valley and want to dedicate a full day to a different mountain experience. Specialized operators usually classify the excursion as a medium or moderate difficulty trek.

💡 Get In Peru Tip: Choose Waqrapukara if you really enjoy hiking; if your priority is visiting archaeological sites with the least physical effort possible, there are other more suitable circuits in Cusco.

🎒 Did you know? Here, the hike is part of the experience, it is not simply a necessary transfer to reach the attraction.

Yes, Waqrapukara is worth visiting if you are looking for an excursion that combines trekking, archaeology, and mountain landscapes in a single day. The itinerary allows you to leave Cusco early, have breakfast in Cusipata, hike to Waqrapukara, take a guided tour, have lunch, and return to Cusco at approximately 5:30 PM.

Additionally, it is not only a scenic attraction: Waqrapukara is officially recognized by the Ministry of Culture as Cultural Heritage of the Nation under the classification of Archaeological Landscape.

💡 Get In Peru Tip: If you have one day available in Cusco and are looking for a more active experience than a conventional excursion by vehicle, Waqrapukara deserves a place in your itinerary.

🧭 Did you know? In a single excursion, you can combine mountain hiking + archaeological heritage + Andean landscape, making both the journey and the destination part of the experience.

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