Cusco is recognized as the 'Archaeological Capital of America'.
Cusco, Cuzco or Qosqo are the names by which the ancient capital of the Inca Empire is known. It is a center for archaeological scholars from all over the world who come to Peru to discover the wonders of Machu Picchu and the other ruins scattered throughout the valley.
It was an important administrative center for the Spanish Empire (Viceroyalty of Peru), and can be seen in the large number of manifestations of colonial art and architecture that can be found throughout the city and especially its Plaza de Armas. Today, Cusco is the largest tourist center in the country, receiving more than one million visitors a year.
Cusco is the oldest urban settlement in all of the Americas, more than 3,000 years old, but pre-ceramic samples have been found as old as 5,000 years. The origins of the first inhabitants of the city are lost in legend. Inca legends say that the founders of the city were Manko Qhapaq and Pachakuteq.
At the top of the mountain, large and impressive stone blocks joined together, the most important political and religious center of the Inca empire: Machu Picchu.
Located in the heart of the Peruvian Andes, the sacred Inca citadel built around 1450 and discovered in 1911, still hides enigmas and mysteries about its real purpose that remain hidden to this day and arouse the interest of both visitors and archaeologists from around the world.
Due to its strategic location on top of a high mountain, there are several theories about what it could have meant to the Incas. Some argue that it was built as a great mausoleum for the Inca Pachacutec, while others claim that it was an important administrative and agricultural center whose cultivated areas were used for the sustenance of its inhabitants. However, it is also considered that it was used as a necessary link between the Andes and the Peruvian Amazon or as a resting place for the Inca governor.
The truth is that Machu Picchu is one of the greatest symbols behind the impressive architecture and engineering of the Inca Empire. Although its origin is still under study, the value and transcendence it represented in its time, as well as its imposing design, have earned it to be considered one of the seven wonders of the modern world.
The tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Cusco, is one of the most classic and incredible tours, where you can explore small villages outside the city of Cusco and also its archaeological sites.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is located 15 km (9 miles) north of the Inca capital of Cusco at 2,800 meters (9,186 feet). The Sacred Valley was once the Inca empire’s main point for the extraction of natural wealth, and one of the most important areas for corn production in Peru.
We have to admire the advanced agricultural techniques of the Incas and their system of andenería (terraces): system of platforms composed of small groups of farmland, arranged in the form of tiers on the hills, where crops are planted. The valleys were also a place of worship to the Pachamama (mother earth).
The Sacred Valley is a must-see destination in Peru and has become one of the most important tourist centers in the country. There are numerous impressive Inca ruins, such as Ollantaytambo, Pisaq and Moray. The Sacred Valley also has two of the most important handicraft markets in the Cusco region: Pisaq and Chinchero.
The Inca Trail is not the only route to Machu Picchu. The city of Machu Picchu was connected by a network of roads known as Qhapaq Ñan.
The great adventure of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is for those who live passionately, always looking for a new experience!
The Inca Trail is a fascinating dream to fulfill and is the most famous trek in all of South America. The beauty of the views and the archaeological sites surrounding the Inca Trail are unsurpassed.
This tour is ideal for those who are full of energy to hike to Machu Picchu on the trip of a lifetime with the Classic Inca Trail 4 days 3 nights.
The Inca Trail Peru is a well established trek that takes travelers from km. 82 (the starting point 40 minutes from the town of Ollantaytambo) to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (also called Inti Punku).
Se trata de la montaña de los Siete Colores, también conocida como Vinicunca o Arcoíris.
Also known as the “Hill of 7 colors”, vinicunca, and colorful mountain, gift of nature for the enjoyment of our eyes. This unique mountain is located more than 100 km from the Imperial City of Cusco, belonging to the town of Pitumarca, is one of the main tourist attractions of Peru recently discovered and made known in 2016.
Vinicunca means “mountain of colors”. It is also known as Rainbow Mountain, Cerro Colorado or in English as Rainbow Mountain. It is located at 5200 meters above sea level and belongs to the Ausangate snow-capped mountain in the Vilcanota mountain range, it is the fifth highest mountain in Peru.
Its coloration is natural due to the large amount of sedimentary stones in erosion, what makes it so beautiful and impressive is how these stones are formed to give it the appearance of a rainbow (7 colors).
Although it is commonly called Rainbow Mountain (Cerro Colorado or Seven Colors Mountain), its real name is Vinicunca, which comes from Quechua.
If you are looking for a hike out of the ordinary, here are the hikes you are looking for
In Cusco you will find countless activities and tourist routes that you can explore; many of them include a visit to Machu Picchu, whether you are looking for a quiet and classic tour or adventure experiences with a touch of immersion with the coexistence with local people.
Live exciting moments in real contact with nature that remains untouched by the hand of man, all well preserved; walk in contact with nature, and the local fauna; if you are patient you will see many animals that come out to walk trusting; since each one is prohibited.
Enjoy hikes of 2 to more days; enjoy good food along the route; professional local guides and discover the magic of visiting this beautiful country that awaits you.
Exciting adventures, all over Peru, wide variety of experiences.
Peru has become in recent years the most fashionable destination in South America. There is no shortage of reasons: an impressive variety of ecosystems, breathtaking landscapes, beautiful cities full of history, culture, traditions, beaches, fauna, flora… and, of course, its delicious and famous gastronomy.
From the Amazon to the desert, from the high peaks of the Andes to the Pacific, passing through the valleys and high plateaus, the country enchants with its incredible contrasts. Although the reasons to visit the country are really endless, we want to show you some compelling arguments for you to embark on the exciting adventure of discovering it. Are you up for it?
Every place on Earth is fascinating and unique, but Peru is one of those countries that manages to be above average. This place has so many natural and cultural treasures that have fascinated people for hundreds of years, and still fascinate them today. There are thousands of reasons to go to this great destination, here are just some of the reasons why you should visit Peru.
1 Day from $ USD 100.00
Waqrapukara Hike Full-Day
Waqrapukara is a new and recently promoted tourist attraction in Cusco located in the province of Acomayo near the Apurimac river at 4,300 masl. (13,123 feet), south of the city of Cusco.
Waqrapukara is a Quechua word: Waqra = Horn, Pucara = Fortress, a sanctuary or an astronomical observatory. It was initially built by the Quincha and then conquered by the Incas. This tour will take you to a different and unusual destination, where you will enjoy the spectacular landscapes, different lagoons, chasms of the Apurimac Canyon, and also connect with the nature and energy of this amazing place.
Meet one of the most recent tourist attractions of Cusco. The archaeological site of Waqrapukara combines beautiful high Andean landscapes with impressive architecture. The tour includes everything you need to enjoy the trip without mishaps: round trip transportation, breakfast, lunch, entrance to all sites and tour guide service. The trip includes a spectacular hike where you will appreciate the beautiful landscapes of the place. Take advantage now that not many visitors come to this incredible place.
The most important thing about this new adventure is that it is a good option for people who like nature, trekking and have many days available. In this route we will observe beautiful landscapes typical of the high Andean zones, where you will have a connection with nature.
Very early around 4:30 am we will pick you up from your hotel to go to the starting point of our hike 2 and a half hours drive to the province of Acomayo, where we will enjoy a breakfast accompanied by a privileged view of the Pomacanchi lagoon, we continue the journey for 1 hour more to the picturesque village of Santa Lucia. we will begin our hike to the complex of Waqrapukara. Along the way, we will be able to identify the flora and wildlife of the area.
Once we reach the first viewpoint of Waqrapukara, we will take a break and then continue until we reach our goal. Finally we will arrive to this incredible place, we will rest, to explore the archaeological center with our guide who will give us all the detailed information, then you will have some free time to explore and take pictures. we will start walking back. But we will take a different trail that is easier and also has different views of the Apurimac Canyon. We will return to the beginning of the trail, where our lunch and private transportation will be waiting for us to return to Cusco.
1, Easy
Waqrapukara was a fortress during its foundation and witnessed several battles. It is believed that initially the Canchis built the foundations and roads to this fortress. After the Canchis joined the Incas to fight together against the Chancas, the fortress became a sacred complex where they probably performed many religious acts for the gods.
Some legends attributed to this place refer to an attempted rebellion. It is said that during the reign of the Inca Huayna Capac, one of his generals, after gathering a large army, rebelled against the empire. This man’s name was T’ito Qosñipa and he was cornered by the Inca army in Waqrapukara. Finding it difficult to break through the natural barricade, the commander of the Tawantinsuyo army decided to cut off his water supply. T’ito Qosñipa surrendered soon after, as punishment one of his ears was cut off and he was pardoned as a great general. After that, he continued to win battles for the Incas.
This sanctuary is divided into two sections. An upper and a lower part. In the upper area there are representations and constructions that identify it as a sacred place. There are also some passages, doorways with double posts and ceremonial niches. In this area you can see how the two rocks, which have the shape of horns, have been naturally integrated.
The lower zone consists of eight platforms with a length of about 153 meters and a height of 1.80 meters. As is known, these platforms are suitably complemented with the topography of the place. Very close to this area there are other installations that also fulfilled a ceremonial function.
It is a fortress from the pre-Inca and Inca construction period. In pre-Inca times it was a small citadel, so it was also called “Llaqta Pukara”, where the cacique Qanchi and his family lived. It also served as an astronomical observatory and had a sanctuary dedicated to the god Teqci Pachakamaq Wiraqocha.
It was first built by the Qanchi ethnic group in the Auqaruna period, between 1500 and 1000 BC. The current building dates from the Inca period, it was built in the time of the Inca Wayna Qhapaq with the participation of architects of this government, also participated Qanchimachu and Ttito Q’osñipa.
Because already in the time of the Auqarunas it was necessary to train male warriors and places to defend the conquered territory of the ethnic group and the tribe. Not only to defend their territory and their leader. In the pre-Inca and Inca periods, these leaders were called curacas, and in the colonial period, caciques. In the Purunruna period, there was no need for pucaras because they lived wherever they wanted.
Choose the desired date (preferably 48 hours in advance) and fill out the form that Aventuras.pe asks you to fill out on the same page. The confirmation is immediate.
When you contact our travel assistants they will indicate you a pick up point.
No. Entrance tickets and food services are included in the price.
It is not recommended to take children under 12 years old on long trekking tours.
It is recommended to take the tour with people who can do long walks and who are in good physical condition.
It is recommended to take the tour after 24hrs. It is suggested to first take the circuit of the city or the Sacred Valley so that you can acclimatize and not get altitude sickness.
In Cusco, I am your travel specialist, with more than 10 years of experience organizing adventure trips.
Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru operated by South Winds Peru. Please take a moment to complete our short form so that one of our friendly adventure consultants can provide you with all the information for the best trip of your life in Peru.
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