Waqrapukara

Waqrapukara is usually read as horn fortress, and the name describes the rock: two natural stone horns rising from a spur high above the Apurímac gorge, with the circular buildings of the Canchis, who built here first, and Inca terracing, walls, niches and stairways added after the Inca conquest, finished in the fine masonry usually reserved for ceremonial sites. That quality of stonework, and the position, suggest a sacred rather than military function despite the fortress name. It sits at about 4,300 metres with the canyon dropping away on three sides. Access is a drive of three or four hours from Cusco to one of the trailheads and then a hike of two to three hours each way across open puna, and the Ministry of Culture declared it a National Cultural Heritage site in July 2017. Facilities are minimal and the communities charge an entry fee.

Highlights

• The horns - two natural rock towers with Canchis and Inca building fitted around them.
• The masonry - fine ceremonial-grade stonework, terraces, niches and stairs.
• The position - a spur at about 4,300 metres above the Apurímac canyon.
• The approach - two to three hours of walking across open puna.

When to go

April to October. A full day from Cusco, leaving very early. Community guides and horses can be arranged at the trailheads.

Practical notes

Long drive plus a serious walk at over 4,000 metres, with a real risk of altitude problems. Exposed cliff edges with no barriers. Weather changes fast on the puna. Almost no facilities at either the trailhead or the site.

Nearby

Acomayo and the Apurímac canyon are close; Cusco is north.

Key facts