Waqrapukara Tour from Cusco Hike to the Horned Inca Fortress
A 1.5-hour hike to the horn-shaped fortress of Waqrapukara, perched on cliffs above the Apurímac canyon — one of Cusco’s best-kept secrets. Breakfast, box lunch and entrance included — from $50.
Waqrapukara — “horn fortress” in Quechua — is one of the most dramatic Inca sites in the Cusco region and one of the least visited. Two great horns of rock crown a ridge above the Apurímac canyon, with terraces, stairways and finely fitted Inca walls built against them. The site began as a sanctuary of the Qanchis people and was later enlarged by the Incas.
We pick you up at 4:30 AM, stop for breakfast in Cusipata and drive about three hours to the trailhead near Santa Lucía, in the province of Acomayo. A hike of about 1.5 hours (2.5 km) leads to the fortress, where you have a guided visit, free time and a box lunch before walking back. You are in Cusco at around 6:00 PM. Breakfast, box lunch, entrance, poles, a guide and oxygen are included for US $50. Discover the site’s story in the legends of Waqrapukara.
The pinnacles that give the site its name rise above terraces and Inca walls on a narrow ridge.
The Apurímac canyon
Wide views over one of the deepest canyons in Peru, far below the fortress.
A short mountain hike
About 1.5 hours each way between 4,000 and 4,300 m, on a path with some ups and downs.
Almost no crowds
Few agencies run this route, so you often have the site almost to yourselves.
Qanchis and Inca history
A sanctuary of the Qanchis people, enlarged by the Incas — and still full of mystery.
Breakfast and box lunch
Breakfast in Cusipata and a box lunch at the site, both included.
Tour at a glance
Duration
Full Day · 13 h
Price
From US $50 per person
Hotel pickup
4:30 AM
Back in Cusco
6:00 PM
Max altitude
4,300 m
Walking
≈1.5 h each way
Difficulty
Moderate
Drive from Cusco
about 3 h
Meals
Breakfast + box lunch
Entrance fees
Included
Group size
Small group, max 14 travelers
Last-minute booking
Until 11:30 PM the night before
Book today, travel tomorrow
Online booking stays open until 5 hours before hotel pickup (Cusco time). With a 4:30 AM pickup you can book until 11:30 PM the night before — the calendar updates by itself. You receive your confirmation by email as soon as you pay. Need a seat even sooner? Message us on WhatsApp and we will check availability for you.
A rewarding off-the-beaten-path day — scenic drive, a short 1.5-hour ascent to the horn-shaped fortress, box lunch and return to Cusco by evening.
FULL DAY
Full Day · Waqrapukara
04:30 AMDeparture from Cusco. Hotel pickup between 4:30 and 5:00 AM, then a 3-hour bus ride toward Santa Lucía, with a breakfast stop in Cusipata.
08:00 AMArrival at Santa Lucía. A short detour along a winding road brings us to Punta Carretera, the trailhead, where we prepare for the hike.
09:00 AMAscent to Waqrapukara. A 1.5-hour ascent of about 2.5 km leads to the fortress, where your guide explains the significance of this remarkable site.
11:00 AMExplore & free time. Enjoy a guided tour followed by free time to explore the area and take photos.
12:30 PMBox lunch. We enjoy a delicious box lunch before retracing our steps to Punta Carretera.
06:00 PMReturn to Cusco. Transport takes us back to Cusco, arriving around 6:00 PM.
Good to know: Facilities at the site are limited — there are no shops or restrooms at Waqrapukara, so carry water and essentials. The short hike is at altitude, so take it steady.
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Waqrapukara tour — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Breakfast & box lunch.
Entrance tickets.
Comfortable transportation from your hotel.
Trekking equipment, poles & oxygen.
Tour & trekking guide for the entire journey.
First aid kit on board.
Not Included
Tips for guide and driver (optional).
Before you go
A few essentials we recommend to make your Waqrapukara day the most rewarding possible.
Acclimatize first
Spend 2–3 days in Cusco before this expedition. The short hike sits around 4,300 m. Hydrate, pace yourself and bring warm, waterproof layers — oxygen is carried throughout.
Physical fitness
The hike is moderate: about 1.5 hours each way on a mountain path with some ups and downs, at around 4,000–4,300 m. There are no services at the site, so carry water and snacks. Good for travelers who already did an easier day in Cusco.
Best time to go
Dry season: April to October, for a firm path and clear views over the Apurímac canyon. From December to March the trail gets muddy and clouds often cover the canyon. We run the tour all year.
Sun & weather
The Andean sun is intense at 4,300 m. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses and lip balm with SPF, and dress in layers: early morning is close to freezing, midday can feel warm in the sun.
Cancellations & weather
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour if a verifiable emergency keeps you from joining — an illness, an accident or a cancelled flight, for example, with a document that shows it. If weather or road conditions make the trip unsafe, we will offer you a new date or a full refund. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Group Type
Group Size
Price / Person
What's Different
Shared Group Most popular
2 – 14 travelers
US $50 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Private Group ★ Best experience
2 – 6 travelers
US $120 / pp
Your group only · personalized pace
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $48 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $45 / pp
Automatic group discount at checkout
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Cancellation policy
We accept cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour when a verifiable emergency prevents you from attending. Refunds go back to your original payment method and are processed by your bank, not by us: any bank fees are applied by the bank, and the money can take up to 30 business days to reach your account. Thank you for your patience. Read the full policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
Comfortable hiking shoes, warm layers, a rain jacket, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, water, snacks and a camera.
Acclimatize in Cusco for a couple of days, wear proper hiking gear and stay hydrated. Light exercise beforehand helps.
Facilities are very limited — there are no food services or restrooms at the site, so plan accordingly.
About 1.5 hours each way (roughly 2.5 km ascent) to reach the fortress.
Booking with INKANET guarantees a seamless, well-organized tour with experienced guides, reliable transport and full logistical support.
US $50 per person in a shared group, including hotel pickup, breakfast, box lunch, entrance, trekking poles, a guide and oxygen. Private service is US $120 per person.
Yes. Online booking for the Waqrapukara stays open until 5 hours before hotel pickup (Cusco time). Pickup is at 4:30 AM, so you can book until 11:30 PM the night before. Pick your date in the calendar — any date still shown as available can be booked — and you will get your confirmation by email as soon as you pay.
In the district of Santa Lucía, province of Acomayo, about 3 hours south of Cusco by road plus a 1.5-hour hike from Punta Carretera.
If you like history and quiet places, yes: it combines an impressive Inca site with canyon views and almost no crowds. If colors are your priority, choose Rainbow Mountain — or do it by ATV with the Red Valley.
