After Cusco Machupicchu tours we will continue to Waqra pukara(which means Horn Fortress, in clear reference to the rock formation), This Quechua word gives its name to the southern province of Cusco where this magnificent archaeological site is located. Built on the top of the mountain, Waqra Pukara offers us a view of mountain ranges that disappear into the horizon, as well as gigantic rock formations, the bottom the valley of the Apurimac River. The ecosystems will be the Andean semidry forest with srub bush vegetation as well the grass land ecosystem and the ecological levels we will be Quechua, Suni and Puna-You will be able to see different ecosystems with native flora and fauna with many birds of prey and seed eaters as well some humming birds and natives’ tress like queonas and chachacomos as well qolle tress and the ichu grass. That are natives from this enviroment.This archaeological site was aligned to astronomical observation and rituals for the development of agriculture, and religion because the buildings face the sun rise. as well cistelations and stars and planets all used for setting the agriculture calendar and religious and ritualistic calendar too We can also see fine masonry and fine stone work and observe vaulted niches with three jambs, a detail only found in Mauka Llacta arquitecture and other places in Cusco and Machu picchu architecture of power as well in the mythical Paqarektampu.or the place of the mythical origin of the Ayar brothers a myth of the genesis of the inka origins besides the titicaca lake.
Day 1: Cusco – Wayke – Waqra Pukara
We begin and departure early from the city of Cusco in our van transport towards the south of Cusco valley, following the rivers Watanay and Vilcanota some little tributaries of The Amazon far south. On our way we will pass through Andean farms and villages and potatoes and corn plantations until we get to the lake of Pomacanchis a beautiful Andean lake over 3000mts where we can observe flora and fauna like egrets and Andean ducks and tress like Queuna and Chachacomo and Qolle tress native to this high land andean ecosystems and habitats of native and endemic species. Continuing the drive, we will arrive to the town of Wayke (3296 masl) where we will begin the trek after passing a succession of Andean lakes-From there we will start the climb begins right at the start of the pomacanchis Lake allowing us to see the deep canyon which rise from the Apurimac River. s which is part of the subduction geological process of the lifting of the Andes mountain range and this canyon was carved by the Apurimac river.
Later we will stop in the Llamajpinta sector, where millennial cave paintings evidence man’s necessity to domesticate this camelid as it was a provider of transport, food, clothing and other uses. This camelid is also important as it is represented in the Milky Way, as the LLama nawin which is part of alpha and beta centaury constellation according to Andean cosmology provide fertility and rain. We continue walking to arrive at the campsite, where we will camp and have dinner about 5 to 6 hours walk of the first day-Then. In the afternoon we will have a tour and explorations around the archaeological site to later return to the campsite for dinner and and observation of the southern hemisphere sky which is spectacular-
Day 2: Waqra Pukara – Wayke – Cusco.
We begin with sun rise in the mountains and outdoors breakfast after we will begin with the tour and explorations of the archaeological site with a guided tour of the archaeological site of Waqra Pukara, the views and flora and fauna of the place are native and some species are endemic from the Andes in its impressive location. The spectacular geography provides a frame for the magnificent Inca architecture, where the triple jamb trapezoidal niches stand out besides other structures in the site.
Waqrapukara Cusco (which means Horn Fortress, in clear reference to the rock formation), This Quechua word gives its name to the southern province of Cusco where this magnificent archaeological site is located.Built on the top of the mountain, Waqra Pukara offers us a view of mountain ranges that disappear into the horizon, as well as gigantic rock formations,at the bottom the valley of the Apurimac River. The ecological levels we will visit are Quechua, suni and puna, observing the characteristic flora and fauna of each This archaeological site was linked to astronomical observation and rituals for the development of agriculture, because the buildings face the sun rise. We can also observe vaulted niches with three jambs, a detail only found in Mauka Llacta arquitecture, in the mythical Paqarektampu.
Starting Altitude-: 3296 masl / 10813 ft Highest Altitude -4087 m / 13408 ft Walking Distance – 15.60 km / 9.68 miles rime trekking 5 to 6 hours each day
Day 2: Waqra Pukara – Wayke – Cusco.
We begin with sun rise in the mountains and outdoors breakfast after we will begin with the tour and explorations of the archaeological site with a guided tour of the archaeological site of Waqra Pukara, the views and flora and fauna of the place are native and some species are endemic from Andes in its impressive location. The spectacular geography provides a frame for the magnificent Inca architecture, where the triple jamb vaulted niches stand out. We return to the Llamapinta sector to observe the value paintings representing the Andean Cosmo vision and understand how the connect the life of the people with the cosmos trough religion, astronomy and agriculture. During the day we will do some birding to look for Andean aplomado falcon and the buzzard eagle as well some Condor. Regarding trees, we will look for native endemic trees like quenas varieties like the queuna forest as well chachacomo trees a srubbush tress as well chilka srub bush vegetation and many finches and humming birds and many seed eaters. We will have time to appreciate the vast Apurimac river valley. we will come back to the inka site for the last tour and then return to the Llamapinta sector to observe the value paintings representing the Andean Cosmo vision and understand how the connect the life of the people with the cosmos trough religion, astronomy and agriculture. During our rest, we will have time to appreciate the vast Apurimac river valley. We will arrive at town of Wayke where we will enjoy lunch, then we will take our private transportation to Cusco. We will arrive at the town of Wayke where we will enjoy picnic lunch, then we will take our private transportation to Cusco.
INKA SANTUARIY
Architecture of power: this is how the experienced archaeologist Miguel Cornejo Guerrero describes it, who investigated the area in 2010, within the framework of an investigation organized by the Municipality of Acos and the NGO Project 1409.”Waqrapukara is an Inca sanctuary of the first order, denoting immense political and religious power yet to be deciphered,” Cornejo asserts.”Four old roads reach the site, but before accessing Waqrapukara you reach a living space formed by river and wind erosion. The entire natural environment warns from afar that you are reaching a special place, out of the ordinary, of an incomparable beauty. On this spectacular vision of natural formations, the Incas molded or inserted a wonderful ceremonial architecture, fusing and making their own all the natural creation with the best of their artistic architecture,” adds the PUCP archaeologist.The landscape surrounding Waqrapukara is one of the most spectacular in the Andean world. The high plateau moor is interrupted by the edges of an immense canyon. Fierce gusts of wind rise through the abysses, forming whimsical figures on the peaks of the ravine. Added to this are the sudden changes in temperature, with the warmth and strong radiation typical of midday that contrasts with the cold of up to minus 10 degrees below zero in the early mornings.Inca architects sought to dominate the landscape without transforming its spectacular nature.The curves in the carved stone terraces seem to support the Waqra, which resembles a double-peaked crown or those caps of the waris, but with only two points. In the middle of it, there is a natural cave with Inca intervention and a small window that overlooks the abyss, which also allows a magnificent view of the night sky, populated with constellations, planets and stars of enormous value in the Inca worldview.
Included
Transportation round tripAll meals during the expeditionTour guideCook and assistancesnacksCamping gear and equipmentDinning tentTents and sleeping bagas matrassesTables and chairsPortable toiletsTickets and entrancesTours and hikesFirst aid and oxygen tang
