Day Hike to the Fortress of Horns
How does the idea of escaping the city and large crowds to visit a unique off-the-beaten-path site sound? The Waqrapukara One-Day Trek is the ultimate choice for some peace and quiet and to discover an incredible site that very few people get to visit—locals and tourists!
Join us on an epic hike to the majestic pre-Inca construction of Waqrapukara or Fortress of Horns located in the mighty Apurímac canyon. This beautiful sacred place combines advanced architecture and impressive natural formations in a wonderful landscape—almost like something from a dream—surrounded by small crystalline lagoons. The gigantic horns rise as high as 4,140 m / 13,583 ft.
Waqrapukara Full Day Trek Map
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Before You Go
- Pricing
- Enquire Now
When you travel with your partner or a large group of family or friends, you can join us on this one-day trek. You’ll come with us on an adventure through the Peruvian Andes and escape the hustle and bustle of the city to an amazing Inca fortress.
The Waqrapukara Trek is a must for anyone wanting to visit this incredible archaeological site before the crowds discover it and it becomes busy. Waqra means “horn” in Quechua, while Pukara means “fortress”. These “horns” rise up to 4,140 m / 13,582 ft on top of a huge ravine covered with forests.
The archaeological monument is surrounded by impressive platforms, plazas, and a forest of stones that resemble mythological giants and look as though they’re contemplating the Andean landscape.
You’ll also get to soak in the incredible landscape of the mountains, canyon, and crystalline lagoons. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the unique flora and fauna from the region. Why wait any longer to immerse yourself in the wild Andes and see a very special site? Get in touch with us and learn more about this fun one-day adventure.
Highlights
- Explore a unique Inca fortress and temple in Waqrapukara.
- Be astounded by the extensive, well-preserved agricultural terraces and walls, staircases, and stone chambers carved in the classic Inca style.
- Walk through incredible Andean landscapes and take some stunning photos.
- Observe the local flora and fauna and learn more about them from your expert guide.
- Glimpse into traditional Andean life in the rural communities.
- Marvel at the stars free from light and noise pollution.
- Enjoy a day off-the-beaten-path and away from the large crowds.
Detailed Itinerary
Cusco | Chuquicahuana - Acomayo - Waqrapukara - Cusco
Highlight of the day: Exploring the impressive site of Waqrapukara.
Be Impressed by the Amazing Inca Fortress of Waqrapukara
Wake up before dawn to join us as we drive for 3 hours to Pitumarca for breakfast and then another thirty minutes more to start our hike. The first part of the trek will take around two and a half hours as you observe astounding landscapes that’ll take your breath away. We’ll stop at the Waqrapukara viewpoint to take some photos before continuing to the majestic site itself.
This afternoon, you’ll explore the archeological site and learn all about its history. Climb through the ruins and take spectacular photos before heading back to our transport. We’ll drive you back to Cusco for the evening.
Your one-day adventure starts today bright and early. We’ll pass by your accommodation to collect you at 4:00 am. We’ll then be on our way on a two-and-a-half-hour drive to the town of Marcaconga. We’ll continue to Pitumarca district for our tasty breakfast.
Once we’re full and ready to go, we have a final thirty minutes of driving along an unpaved, zig-zag road to get to our hike’s starting point. You’ll have a bit of time to get your things together before we set off. The first stretch is two-and-a-half hours long, and you’ll be able to observe magnificent landscapes studded with small glacial lakes along the way.
When we reach the Waqrapukara viewpoint, you’ll be able to rest a little and take your first photos of the impressive fortress that sits on the edge of a canyon.
Next, we’ll descend for about forty minutes along a steep path on the edge of a cliff towards the site itself while the Apurimac River flows rapidly downwards. You’ll get to explore the archaeological site for about an hour and a half, climbing through the remains of the temple and taking photos against the incredible landscape of the canyon. The amazing scenery will take your breath away.
Finally, when the group is ready, we’ll begin the ascent back the way we came. We’ll arrive at the private transport after about three hours of walking, and we’ll return to Cusco at 7:00 pm approximately.
Why Travel with us
At Salkantay Trekking, we specify the included and non-included services under all the tour itineraries listed on our website. We take care of all the logistics, but please pay attention to the details, so you don’t miss anything. Some items may be different for specific programs, so please read carefully before booking with us.
What Is Included?
High Quality Service & Safety
Pre-departure Briefing
You’ll meet your trekking guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. The meeting will be at 5:00 pm the evening before the trip begins.
Experienced Tour Guide
English and spanish speaking, professionally educated, and official tour guide. Your guide will explain the culture and surroundings along the entire route, including leading your group in ancient ceremonies! He or she will keep you safe, sound, and comfortable on your trek so that you can enjoy your time worry-free!
Medical Kit or First AID Kit
All Salkantay Trekking guides have received specialized training in first aid. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit to face basic emergencies (altitude sickness, travelers' diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the path as quickly as possible and ensure that you arrive at a clinic for treatment.
Extras Included in our Service
We believe that attention to small details is what sets us apart from other local companies. You’ll receive a pair of walking sticks (trekking poles) with rubber tips, and a rain poncho.
Customer Service 24/7
We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication with Salkantay Trekking leading up to your trek.
Meals
Breakfast & Lunch
Our chef prepares the best dishes in the middle of the mountain. Our passengers love our food! We respect all diets (vegetarian, vegan, or special menus are available at no extra cost), so let us know if you have any particular allergies or restrictions on your reservation form and remind your guide during the briefing.
Snacks and water
Before starting your trekking, your tour guide will provide you a cloth bag with local fruits, cookies, chocolate, caramels, etc. In addition, you'll receive a bottle of water.
One cloth snack bag per person
To avoid the usage of plastic bags that contaminate our environment, we'll give you a cloth bag for your snacks.
Products for hygiene
You’ll be provided with a small towel and soap before each meal to clean your hands.
Transportation
Private Transport
All your transportation is included in this package. We will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the starting point of the trek. Once you complete the tour, we will take you back to the door of your hotel.
Permits & Entrance Tickets
Entrance Ticket to Waqrapukara Archaeological Site
What Is Not Included?
Dinner
Hiking Clothes
Travel Insurance
Tips for our staff
Tipping is the norm on any excursion in Peru. Although we pay good salaries to our entire team, something extra is always welcome, especially considering the hard work they do.
Additional costs or delays beyond our control
Landslides, bad weather conditions, itinerary modifications due to a safety concern, illness, pandemia, government policy changes, political instability, strikes, act of God, etc.
Here we leave you with a brief list of extras that you can enjoy during this package.
Huayna Picchu Mountain
Huayna Picchu is the mountain behind Machu Picchu and which can be climbed in 45 minutes. Although this excursion is up to you, our guide will take you to the place of entry. This walk requires an entrance ticket which we can assure for you if we have enough time in advance.
Your entry ticket will be purchased to coincide with the dates of your excursion on the Inca Trail. The entry can be done in two shifts: from 7:00 am to 8:00 am or from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. We buy the tickets in the second shift so that our clients can fully enjoy their guided tour of Machu Picchu. Remember, the shifts only indicate the time of entry. You can go up and down Huayna Picchu without haste.
The ticket for Huayna Picchu costs US$ 75.00 per person.
Machu Picchu Mountain
Machu Picchu Mountain is another of the mountains that surround the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. It offers even more incredible views than Huayna Picchu, but it takes 1.5 hours to reach the top. This walk requires an entrance ticket which we can assure for you if we have time in advance.
The excursion entrance to Machu Picchu Mountain is open in two shifts as well, the first from 7:00 am to 8:00 am, and the second from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.
The ticket for Machu Picchu Mountain costs US$ 75.00 per person.
Vistadome Train
All our tours include the PeruRail Expedition train. This train leaves Aguas Calientes at 4:22 pm. The Vistadome train is a higher category service that offers more comfortable seats, a panoramic design that will allow you to see through the roof, as well as an entertainment show on board. The Vistadome train leaves Aguas Calientes at 4:43 pm and goes to Ollantaytambo train station. From there, we’ll take you on our transport to your hotel in Cusco.
You can access this service for an additional payment of US$ 75.00 per person.
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as easy as possible. In this section, you'll find speedy answers to all those questions you had about hiking in Peru with Salkantay Trekking in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services. Please read carefully the following information – it will help you with any questions you may have about our services.
Have another question that we haven’t answered here? Drop us a line and we will get back to you asap!
Briefing or Informative Meeting
All information meetings and briefings are held in our main office in Cusco (or your hotel) at 5:00 pm, one night before the tour begins. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes. If you’re unable to attend, you must coordinate another time by email, by phone or at the Salkantay Trekking office.
Can I store my luggage at your office?
Of course! During the trip, your main luggage can be stored at our office (you can organize it with us on the briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment that you won’t need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags; put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (in the unlikely case of theft, many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing everything). It’s best to put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Pick up of guests
Salkantay Trekking can pick you up from your hotel, as long as it’s in the Historical Center of Cusco. Your guide will coordinate the pickup time in the briefing session, but please keep in mind that the time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes due to traffic.
Cusco is an old city, meaning it has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs may be located on streets without access to cars or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. We strongly recommend that you book accommodation with good access.
Group Tours
Group tours are made up of different types of people, then physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route. It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, the guide will be the one who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if such modifications are possible.
Strikes and demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are usually common in Peru, and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked, and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your trip as originally planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date. Under these circumstances, tours may also be canceled. In case of changes or cancellations, everything will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority, and our decisions will be made to protect it.
Lost objects
Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our transport or restaurant. You’re the only one responsible for your objects during the tour.
The "Waqrapukara Trek" can leave any day of the week, from March through January. We do not run this trek in February because rainy season & maintenance.
2021 Land Cost
Group Price: US$ 100.00 per person
This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.
Notice that PayPal charges a fee of 8%, which we ask the client to cover since it's due to the use of its service. This tax is just for online deposits.
Please, after your payment, send us the transfer number to sales@salkantaytrekking.com; only after that, we'll be able to confirm your deposit and reservation.
Extensions & Offers
There are several extensions you can include to your Peru Adventure.
- Rainbow Mountain: US$ 100.00 US$ 80.00
- Sacred Valley: US$ 60.00 US$ 50.00
- City Tour: US$ 30.00 US$ 20.00
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed, we guarantee the price won’t increase, whatever the circumstances. So please, before booking, ensure you’ve read all our important tour information.
Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Salkantay Trekking. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.
Our Pledge | Your privacy is respected and protected. The Salkantay Trekking Company will never share, sell, or make public any of your personal contact information to third parties.
Remember | One of our Travel Experts will contact you soon to confirm the availability of the trip you chose, give you more information, and/or provide you alternative options. Once availability is established, we will ask for a deposit and a completed online registration to confirm your spot on the trek. Please call us at (+51) 958 191 179 with any questions or to confirm availability over the phone.
Note | Due to the rainy season and trail maintenance, we don't offer this trek during the whole month of february. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, we are working to provide you a better service!
Feel free to reach us via email at sales@salkantaytrekking.com or by calling us directly at (+51) 958 191 179
Monday - Friday:
9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Saturday:
10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Triunfo Street 392, office 212, 2nd floor - Main Square of Cusco, Peru
