Waqra Pukara Trek 2D/1N

The Waqra Pukara Trek 2D/1N is a short but epic trekking tour and the perfect alternative to Machu Picchu for travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path treks in Peru. This 2-day trek from Cusco combines Andean adventure, archaeological discovery, and high-altitude camping at 4,300 meters above the dramatic Apurimac Canyon—all without the crowds of the Classic Inca Trail."

"What is Waqra Pukara?" "Known locally as the "Horned Fortress," Waqra Pukara (also spelled Waqrapukara) is a pre-Inca archaeological site built by the Qanchi culture and later expanded by the Incas. Perched dramatically above the Apurimac River canyon, this sacred site features triple-jambed doors—a architectural feature so significant that not even Machu Picchu possesses them. As one of the most underrated archaeological sites in Peru, Waqra Pukara offers cultural immersion and solitude that mainstream destinations cannot match."

"Why This is the Best Alternative Trek" "When Inca Trail permits are sold out or you simply want to avoid the crowds, the Waqra Pukara trek stands as one of the best Inca Trail alternatives. Unlike the Salkantay Trek or Lares Trek, Waqra Pukara remains truly remote—you'll encounter more llamas and alpacas than other tourists. This short trek from Cusco delivers authentic Andean culture, stunning canyon views, and archaeological significance without requiring a week of hiking."

"Sustainable & Responsible Tourism" "At Inca Land Adventures, we follow the ethical tourism standards pioneered by industry leaders. As a 100% Cusqueñian company, we ensure fair wages for our staff, maintain small group sizes (maximum 8 trekkers), and practice leave-no-trace camping. Our commitment to porter welfare and sustainable tourism means your adventure supports local communities while preserving these sacred sites for future generations."

Why Choose This Trek?

• Short and Powerful: A 2 day trek to Waqra Pukara from Cusco that’s ideal for travelers with limited time.

• Remote and Scenic: One of the off‑the‑beaten‑path treks in Peru, it’s far from crowded, with dramatic highland landscapes.

• High Altitude Adventure: Expect authentic high altitude trek Cusco Peru conditions (~4,300 m), making it a true Andes adventure trek Peru.Comparing Waqra Pukara to Other Cusco Treks

  • Short & Accessible: Unlike multi‑day treks like the Inca Trail, the Waqra Pukara Trek 2D1N is a short trek from Cusco that still delivers stunning views and cultural depth.

  • Unique Archaeological Focus: Focuses on an archaeological site less visited than traditional Inca ruins, giving it a truly unique perspective in the Cusco hiking tours category.

Waqra Pukara Trek 2D1N Ultimate Andes Adventure in Peru

The day begins with the pick-up from your hotel in Cusco between 06:00 a.m. to 06:30 a.m. to board our tourist transport heading south of the city, following the Cusco – Puno highway, until reaching the sector called Chuquicahuana to do The detour and entering the province of Acomayo a few minutes we will witness an immense lagoon called Pomacanchi lagoon, known as one of the second largest lagoons in the Cusco region, where we will make a brief stop for photographs, continuing with our tour we arrive to the district of Sangarara where we will also make a stop to explain about the temple of the Virgen de las Nieves, this temple keeps a lot of history because in this place Tupac Amaru II gets the victory against the rebels, where we will also have our first breakfast, continuing our trip we arrive at Pitumarca. Place where our concentration point will be to start our walk towards Waqrapukara, on the way we will observe the ruggedness of the geography, the natural anthropomorphic and zoomorphic formations in the rocks, and small existing lagoons, we will also observe the diversity of flora and fauna high Andean. We will be in contact with ourselves, the natural life and the Andean man
Distance to travel: 10 km
Walking time: From 4 to 5 hours including rest and stop for lunch
Camp height: 4,300 meters above sea level.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Temperature: Cold and windy in the afternoon

Day 1: Cusco – Pitumarca – Wakra Pukara

Day 2: Wakra Pukara – Santa Lucia – Cusco

After a resplendent sunrise in the middle of a surrounded nature we will have our delicious breakfast, then we will have our guided tour of the archaeological center of Waqrapukara, this place surprising us with its enigmatic construction, we will be able to appreciate the main door called INTIPUNKU OR PORTADA DEL SOL, enclosure of the sun and the moon, Wiracocha enclosure, two towers, main square, grandstands, to the side we will also see a system of terraces, and we will be surrounded by the immense rock formations around us, finished with the guide we will go to observe the cave paintings of the Qanchi ethnic group being able to see representations of the llamas, the llama considered one of the very important camelids since pre-Inca times which is located a few minutes from the fortress, returning we will have our expected lunch after eating we will begin to walk to arrive to the district of Camping and thus return to the city of Cusco and We will be in Cusco at approximately 7:00 pm.

Round trip transportation from Cusco to Pitumarca
English/Spanish-speaking professional guide
Personal sleeping pad (double foam)
Personal tents: two people in each 4, people-capacity tent, to allow for higher comfort and a safe keeping of backpacks
Cook and cooking equipment
Two lunches, one dinner, two breakfasts
Vegetarian food available on request with no extra charge
Wake up tea at the campsite
​Entrance Fees
First aid equipment
Horses and wranglers to carry 7kg of your personal belongings and camping equipment

WHY CHOOSE INCA LAND ADVENTURES?Inca Land Adventures is a family owned travel agency and a local tour operator based in Cusco with personal experience over many years of trekking. Inca Land Adventures is a 100% Cusqueñian Company without any shareholders.
Our dream as a locally based company is to create small personalized tours & treks strictly and only operated by local professional staff catering in PERSONALIZED and HIGH QUALITY SERVICE.
We take pride in our reputation as a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. Our staff are our extended family. We ensure they are supported financially by offering them a fair salary. We are so proud of our team! Without them, we wouldn’t be able to offer the best service and lifetime experiences to our clients.

Snacks
Tips for the guide, cook, driver, and wranglers
What to Bring for the Waqra Pukara Trek 2D/1N:
Hiking boots
Small daypack or backpack (approximately 20L)
Comfortable, lightweight trekking clothes or activewear (layers recommended)
Waterproof, sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support and traction
Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
Warm coat
Hat and gloves
Hand sanitizer
Sun hat or cap
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Insect repellent
Water (at least 1L)
Personal medications
Muscle relaxers
Painkillers or anti inflammatories
Bandaids (especially those designed for blisters)
Toilet paper
Camera
Cash (in small denominations of Peruvian nuevos soles)

SMALL GROUPSTo ensure a more personalized service for our guests, at inca land adventures we have a policy that our groups will not exceed 8 people. This fact alone sets us apart from other companies that operate departures with bigger groups.

Included

Not Included

Price Per Person.2025

1 people: US$680.00 per person
2 people: US$550.00 per person
3 people: US$500.00 per person
4 people : US$450.00 per person
5 people : US$400.00 per person.
6 People: U$$350.00 per person