Waqrapukara 1-Day Tour from Cusco
Traveler rating
2.0/5
Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Waqrapukara 1-Day Tour from Cusco worth booking?
Waqrapukara 1-Day Tour from Cusco is a 14-hour experience in Cusco, Peru, from $40 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 2/5 rating across 1 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 55 / 100
- Rating
- 2/5 (1)
- Duration
- 14 hours
- From
- $40 per person
We are a team specialized in providing Tourist Services, establishing our headquarters in the Immortal City, Navel of the World CUSCO.
What you get
- Lunch
- Bilingual Professional Guide (English / Spanish)
- Breakfast
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Oxygen and first aid kit
- Trek poles
About this experience
We are a team specialized in providing Tourist Services, establishing our headquarters in the Immortal City, Navel of the World CUSCO.
What's included
Included
- Lunch
- Bilingual Professional Guide (English / Spanish)
- Breakfast
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Oxygen and first aid kit
- Trek poles
Not included
- Entrance to Waqrapukara
- Expenses not detailed
What you'll see and do
Cusco
The tour begins with pickup from your hotel between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m. Once the group is complete, we will start the tour. We will travel for approximately three hours by tourist transport to the town of Santa Lucia. Along the way we will make a stop in Cusipata to enjoy a delicious breakfast before continuing our journey.
Pass by without stopping
From Santa Lucia we will take a detour that will take us, in about 15 minutes, along a zigzagging road to the point known as Punta Carretera. There we will make a short 10-minute break to get ready and finalize the details before starting the hike to the Waqrapukara archaeological complex. With everything ready, we will start our hike towards Waqrapukara. It will be about 90 minutes of tour of ancient paths and landscapes that seem to be taken from a dream. Throughout the 2.5 kilometers, the energy of the Andes will accompany every step.
Pass by without stopping
Complejo Arqueologico Waqrapukara
Waqrapukara, also known as the Horn Fortress, is an archaeological gem of Cusco located above the imposing canyon of the Apurimac River. This Inca site consists of platforms, ceremonial squares and spectacular rock formations that create a unique landscape in the world. Despite its beauty and mystery, Waqrapukara remains a destination little explored by travelers. Its name comes from Quechua — “Waqra” (horn) and “Pukara” (fortress) — and reflects its sacred and defensive character. Built by the ancient Qanchis and later incorporated into the Inca Empire, Waqrapukara was recognized in 2017 as a National Cultural Heritage Site by the Ministry of Culture of Peru.
40 minutes here · Admission not included
Cusipata
After visiting Waqrapukara, we will return along the same trail to Punta Carretera, where our transport will be ready to take us back to Cusipata. In this picturesque village, we will enjoy a semi buffet lunch with Andean delights. Then we will continue the journey to the city of Cusco
60 minutes here
Cusco
After lunch and a short break we will return to the city of Cusco, arriving at approx. 18:00 (service ends 1 block from the Plaza de Armas del Cusco)
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Aremika Travel
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
Traveler reviews
1 verified traveler reviews for Waqrapukara 1-Day Tour from Cusco. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A missed opportunity
Let me be clear, Waqrapukara is definitely worth a visit. But I did not really like the tour we booked. You spend a total of 8 hours (!) on bumpy roads trying to reach the start of the hiking path and back. The hike itself is beautiful and absolutely worth it. However, when we finally arrived at the ruins, we had about 30 mins to actually see them. We spent quite some time taking pictures with the group, which is nice, but not if you lose time to discover the site. We had only 10 mins to climb the mountain next to the site to have a panoramic view. Which is also spectacular. Within moments after arriving at the top the guide started yelling from below that we had to go. And then we had to wait several times. When we arrived back at the vehicle, and again after lunch. So, we hurried to get back for no reason at all. Only to drive back another 4 hours to Cusco. A missed chance to make this an amazing day. I would recommend for the tour operator to give visitors at least an hour (maybe 1,5 hours) to visit this magical site. I would have loved to have lunch there (a sandwich would have been enough) while enjoying the stunning views.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for sharing your detailed feedback about your experience at Waqrapukara. We truly appreciate your honest comments and are glad to hear that you found the hike and the landscapes beautiful and worthwhile. We sincerely apologize that the timing and organization of the tour did not fully meet your expectations. You are absolutely right that Waqrapukara is a special place that deserves enough time to be explored calmly and enjoyed without feeling rushed. We understand how disappointing it can be to arrive at such an impressive site and have limited time to appreciate the ruins, viewpoints, and overall atmosphere. The road conditions and travel time to Waqrapukara are indeed challenging due to its remote location, but your observations regarding the schedule, waiting times, and time management are very valuable to us. Feedback like yours helps us identify areas where we can improve the overall experience for future travelers. We especially appreciate your suggestion about allowing more time at the archaeological site and considering a lighter lunch option to maximize the visit. It is an excellent recommendation, and we will certainly share it with our operations team as we continue improving our itineraries and service quality. Thank you again for visiting Peru with us and for taking the time to help us improve. We hope to have another opportunity in the future to provide you with an even better travel experience.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 14 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 6+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $40 to $45
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Aremika Travel, who run 5 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 55.5.
See everything Aremika Travel runsWhy this scores 55
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Waqrapukara 1-Day Tour from Cusco: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cusco.
How much does Waqrapukara 1-Day Tour from Cusco cost?
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Prices start at $40 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cusco usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Waqrapukara 1-Day Tour from Cusco take?
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Plan for about 14 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cusco is not rushed.
Is Waqrapukara 1-Day Tour from Cusco worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (2/5 across 1 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cusco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Waqrapukara 1-Day Tour from Cusco?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Waqrapukara 1-Day Tour from Cusco suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 6. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 14-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Waqrapukara 1-Day Tour from Cusco?
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Around 0 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cusco can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cusco and add a light layer if any part of the 14-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Waqrapukara 1-Day Tour from Cusco start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cusco within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cusco?
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On Outty we rank every Cusco experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Sacred Valley Full Day Tour, Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco, Cusco: Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Premium Day Trip with Meals. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cusco?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cusco?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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