An adventure that completely escapes the traditional tourist routes of Cusco, the tour to Taqrachullo (also known as Maria Fortaleza) is one of the most fascinating and recent hidden gems of the southern Andes.

This archaeological complex is located in the Suykutambo district of Espinar province, at an altitude of approximately 4,100 meters above sea level. It is not a mass tourism destination; in fact, it officially opened to visitors after a lengthy restoration process, quickly becoming the region’s best-kept secret.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Cusco – Suykutambo – Cusco

At 3:00 AM, we will pick up our passengers from their hotels in Cusco. We will begin our journey along the Urubamba River basin, stopping along the way for breakfast. Afterward, we will continue to Sicuani to begin our ascent to the Cusco highlands. We will pass by Langui Lagoon and the village of Descanso, arriving in Espinar at approximately 8:00 AM. From there, we will continue our journey to the Apurimac River basin, following the canyon formed by the river until we reach the entrance to Taqrachullo (María Fortaleza), arriving at approximately 9:30 AM. We will then take a 35-minute walk to the archaeological site. Our guide will explain the site, and we will have time to take photos before beginning the descent back to the entrance (where our vehicle will be waiting).

At approximately 11:30 am, we will continue our journey in our vehicle for a short trip to the three canyons of Suykutambo, a place with a breathtaking landscape. This area is the confluence of three rivers (Callumani, Apurimac, and Cerritambo), and it showcases the erosion these rivers have caused over time, creating spectacular canyons.

At 12:30 pm, we will begin our return trip to Espinar, where we will have lunch. After lunch, we will begin our return journey to Cusco, arriving at approximately 7 pm.