20+ Years of Experience
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Locally Based in the Sacred Valley
Route and Itinerary
Your Day on the Trail
From the climb to the Yana Cocha lagoon to the night on the Waqrapukara terrace and the final descent to Huayqui, here is how your two days unfold.
- Distance
- 18.9 km in 2 days
- Highest point
- 4,471 m a.s.l.
- Camp
- 4,070 m a.s.l.
- Pickup
- 6:00 a.m.
Route map
Day 1 · about 12.3 km to the campDay 2 · about 6.5 km to Huayqui
Elevation profile
Altitude comes from the route’s GPS track, while distance is measured along the trail, so every value is in m a.s.l.
Itinerary
Day 1 · Cusco to the Waqrapukara terrace
About 12.3 km · Highest point 4,471 m a.s.l. · Lunch and dinner included
We pick you up at your hotel in Cusco at 6:00 a.m. and drive to the starting point of the trek, where we meet our muleteer and begin walking toward the Waqrapukara complex. The first hours climb steadily to the Yana Cocha lagoon, where we stop for lunch.
From there, the trail begins to descend. Along the way, you can spot herds of alpacas, small flocks of vicuñas and huallatas, the Andean birds, in a landscape of enormous stone figures. In the afternoon, we reach the complex and set up camp on the Waqrapukara terrace, where dinner is served.
Day 2 · Waqrapukara, Huayqui and back to Cusco
About 6.5 km · Ends at 3,323 m a.s.l. · Breakfast included
After breakfast, we explore the whole complex with your guide. You see triple-jamb niches, a small window that welcomes you and opens onto the abyss, beautification terraces and, below them, agricultural terraces. Surrounded by both, you feel closer to Pachamama and the Andean landscape.
Afterwards, we continue on a semi-flat, downhill walk of about 3 hours among great stone figures shaped by time, until we reach the village of Huayqui, tucked into the mountains above the impressive Apurímac River. At the agreed time, we board our vehicle for the drive back to Cusco.
Pack light
What to bring
The small bag you carry yourself while walking. The horses carry your large bag (maximum 6 kg).
Sun and rain
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Warm, waterproof jacket and gloves
Daypack essentials
- Small daypack
- Comfortable trekking shoes (not new sneakers) and several pairs of socks
Documents and health
- Personal medication and first-aid kit
Camera and power
- Camera, flashlight and spare batteries
Pack your warm clothes and sleeping bag in the large bag, inside plastic bags so they stay dry if it rains. In your daypack, carry snacks, two 600 ml water bottles (we refill them with boiled water), toilet paper, a scarf, a hat, sunscreen and your camera. Bring cash in soles for tips; a walking stick is optional.
Tripadvisor · 2026 Reviews
What Our Travelers Say
Recent Tripadvisor reviews of Santu trips in Peru, posted in 2026.
This is Santu’s overall rating, not a rating specific to this walk.
“The experience was incredible; we were 3 families and we loved it. The level of food, the tents, the guides. A ten.”
“… Giuliana exceeded our expectations. She did an amazing job listening to our wants/needs, make recommendations and take care of all the steps along the way. We felt fully informed.”
“Giuliana who is an amazing travel agent who planned everything for Us and give us lots of great ideas and she came with an amazing package that it took care of all our needs …”