The temple of Wiracocha is part of a larger archaeological complex called ‘Raqchi’.  This archaeological complex is located around 3 hours from Cusco, near the main route to Puno and Lake Titicaca.  It is 3,460m above sea level on the slopes of the volcano ‘Quimsachata’. 

The temple has many typical features of Incan construction during the period of Tawantinsuyu (after 1450) and contains some beautiful examples of Incan walls.  In this picture you can see the Temple of Wiracocha with its central wall still standing.  You can see that the base of the wall is built in the classic Incan style, while above the wall continues in ‘Adobe’ or bricks. 

Despite most of the visible buildings in this complex dating to the Incan period (1450-1532), the occupation of the area appears to date back much further.  Archaeological investigations found evidence of dwellings here dating back as far as 200 B.C. in the style of the ancient ‘Qaluyu-Marcavalle’ culture.  Many Incan and pre-Incan artifacts from many different civilizations such as the Wari (700-1100 A.D.) and the Collao and Inca-Collao (1100-1450).

Itinerary

You will be picked up between 6am and 6.15am from your hotel.  From Cusco we travel by bus to Raqchi which takes approximately 3 hours.  Once in Raqchi we will take a guided tour of the complex with a professional bilingual (English-Spanish) guide.  We return to Cusco in the afternoon by the same route, arriving back to your hotel at around 6pm.

Practical Information

Fixed Departures apply: for more information Transport: BY BUS Length: 1 Day Price 2012:

Bring With You  Photo camera;  Film camera;  water;  Solar block.

Included

Transport roundtrip;  English speaking guide;  entrances;  lunch in Sicuani.