Sacred Waqrapukara Trek with Andean Shaman (2 Days)
Unlocking Spiritual Depths through Authentic Amazonian & Andean Rituals
- always available
- 2 days
- private
- Waqrapukara Ruins
Overview
Move over, Machu Picchu! Waqrapukara is an impressive Inca site with beautiful scenery and no crowds, making it one of the best treks you can do in Cusco. Want something totally different? Then leave behind the usual tourist spots and discover the fascinating sceneries of the 2 Days Waqrapukara Trek, accompanied by a real Q’eros Shaman who will share his ancestral wisdom with you along this spiritual trekking experience.
Itinerary
Early in the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel and then drive for about two and a half hours through the South Valley until we reach the small village of Pomacanchi. After a nutritious breakfast, we will go to Chosecani and meet up with the horsemen who will assist us with our camping equipment and final preparations for our trek. Along the way, we will enjoy beautiful landscapes with incredible views of the high Andes Mountains. Our Andean Shaman from the Q’eros Community will perform a Cleansing Ceremony and Coca Leaf Reading for you, so you can start this hike with renewed energy. We continue our hike until reaching our lunch spot, where we get a first glimpse of the impressive Waqrapukara Inca site (4150m / 13,615 ft). After another 30-minute walk downhill, we finally arrive at this mysterious Inca fortress. Tomorrow, we will have enough time to explore this fascinating Inca site surrounded by the Apurimac canyon. We will have a delicious dinner and camp here for the night. Our Q’eros Maestro probably has lots of interesting bedtime stories to share with us!
We will enjoy a large breakfast in the middle of nature and finally explore the archaeological site of Waqrapukara. Our spiritual guide will tell us more about this ancient Inca site and its fascinating history. Waqrapukara functioned as a fortress, sanctuary, and astronomical observatory. It was a residence of the nobility of this place with astronomical observatories and at the same time, it used to be a religious center protected with watchtowers and subway roads. We will admire the main plaza with impressive views of the great Apurimac canyon, and then hike the same trail back. After lunch, we will perform a Mother Earth Offering close to the Waqrapukara site with our Andean Shaman, which is the perfect opportunity to connect with this energetic place and show gratitude to Pachamama for everything She has been giving to us. Later, we will head back to Cusco.
$590
for the couple
*best price guarantee in USD
2 people
$470
/person
Prices are in USD per person, based on a group of 2. Please contact us for customized modifications.
3-4 people
$355
/person
Prices are in USD per person, based on a group of 3-4. Please contact us for customized modifications.
5-7 people
$280
/person
Prices are in USD per person, based on a group of 5-7. Please contact us for customized modifications.
Enquire More Details:
Inclusions and Additional Information
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Transportation from Cusco to Chosecani
- Local English-speaking guide and Q’eros Shaman
- Ceremonies performed by an Andean Shaman
- Entrance ticket to Waqrapukara
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Transportation from Pomacanchi to Cusco
- Comfortable tent accommodation at the Waqrapukara campsite
- Duffle bag (please let us know if you need one)
- Briefing in your hotel lobby the day before departure
- Professional cook and cooking equipment. Dining tent and kitchen tent for meal preparation by the cook.
- Boiled water provided for coffee and tea to accompany your meals at the campsites.
- Water to refill your reusable water bottles.
- Horses and horsemen who transport camping equipment, food, and kitchen utensils.
Our meals can be adjusted to cater to dietary requirements such as vegetarian or vegan. Kindly inform us beforehand about your preferences so we can make suitable arrangements.
- Dinner on last day.
- Sleeping bags. Available for rent if you don’t have one with you ($25.00 per person).
- Trekking poles. Available for rent for $15.00 per person.
- Activities and meals not mentioned in the itinerary or indicated as optional.
- Gratuities for the staff.
- National or international flights.
- Travel Insurance.
If you ever need to cancel or want to know about refunds, you can find all the details in our Terms and Conditions. If you’re not sure about something or have any questions, just get in touch with us.
We’re here to help and make things clear for you. Your happiness is really important to us!
FAQ about this trek
You should pack essentials such as comfortable trekking clothing, sturdy hiking boots, a good backpack, a hat, sunscreen, a water bottle, insect repellent, a rain jacket, and any personal medication. It’s also advised to have some local currency for small purchases.
The dry season from May to September is generally the best time to visit, as the weather is more predictable and the trails are less muddy. However, Waqrapukara can be visited year-round.
Yes, some trekking experiences include interactions with local Q’eros Shamans who perform ceremonies such as Cleansing Ceremonies, Coca Leaf Readings, and Mother Earth Offerings, adding a spiritual and cultural dimension to the journey.
The site’s history dates back to the Inca Empire, which thrived in the Andean region from the 15th to the 16th century. While exact dates are unclear, it is believed that Waqrapukara served multiple purposes, including as a fortress, sanctuary, and astronomical observatory.
The site’s strategic location on a mountain peak allowed for both defense and observation. Its intricate architecture suggests it was a place of significance, likely housing nobility and serving as a religious center. The name “Waqrapukara” itself translates to “Horn Fortress” in Quechua, referencing the unique horn-like rock formations present at the site.
Waqrapukara holds spiritual significance for both the indigenous communities of the Andes and modern-day visitors seeking a deeper connection with nature and ancient traditions. The area’s spiritual importance is tied to its role as an astronomical observatory and its alignment with celestial events.
For the indigenous Q’eros community and other Andean cultures, the mountains and natural landscapes are revered as sacred entities, often embodying deities or spirits. The spiritual connection with nature is deeply rooted in their traditions, and sites like Waqrapukara are considered places where the earthly and spiritual realms converge.
