Despite its monumentality and good state of preservation, several archaeological jewels of Cusco are often ignored by tourists. A mistake that you should not make with this Cusco jewel of the heights.
In runasimi “waqra” is horn and “pukara” the equivalent of strength. Looking at the photograph, the name is more than eloquent, but the shepherds of the Acos communities, south of the city of Cusco, also know it as Llamapukara: «they are not horns, they assure that they are the ears of a llama that is alert to the presence of outsiders.
Waqrapucara is a pre-Inca and Inca-built fortress. In Inca times it was a small citadel, for this reason the so-called “Llaqta Pukara” where the Qanchi leader and family live, they also used it as an astronomical observatory; He had a sanctuary in God Teqci Pachakamaq Wiraqocha.
Undoubtedly, both “ears” or “horns” were a cause of sacralization among their builders. The best preserved in its stone walls, stairs, terraces and rooms.
We leave the city of Cusco (4:00 a.m.) in our private transport to the south of the valley, following the course of the Watanay and Vilcanota rivers.
In our tour we will pass through the circuit of the Four Lagoons: the Pomacanchi lagoon, the Acopia lagoon, the Asnaqocha lagoon and finally the Pampamarca or Tungasuca lagoon. Following our route, we will stop for a few minutes in the town of Acomayo, on the way to the small town of Sangarara (3769 masl).
We start the walk to have a guided visit to the archaeological site of Waqrapukara, which will welcome us with its imposing location. The spectacular geography will be the framework for the magnificent Inca architecture, where its niches with three jambs stand out. During the descent, we will be impressed by the stone monumentality of the Apurimac river valley.
We will arrive at the town of Wayke where we will enjoy our lunch, and then return in our private transport to the city of Cusco. Approximate walking time: 7 hours Estimated time of arrival at the hotel in Cusco: 19:00 p.m.
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