• The Huasao wetlands
• Map to get there
• The town of Huasao
• The wetlands: flora and fauna
• The wooden sculptures
• Are there tours?
• How to go on your own?
• Photo gallery of the wetlands of Huasao
• Learn a little more
• Other nearby tourist attractions
• Frequently asked questions about the Huasao wetlands

Huasao Wetland – Cusco

The Huasao wetlands is a tourist attraction that can only be visited on your own. Currently, the only all-inclusive tour nearby covers the archaeological sites of Tipón, Piquillacta and the church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas. This service, called ‘Cusco South Valley tour’, does not include the tour of Huasao.

The Huasao wetlands

The Huasao wetlands are a recreational center in the southern valley of Cusco. It is famous for its scenic beauty where several species of birds live. However, in recent years, wooden sculptures with different figures of animals and fictional characters have been created. This caused the attraction of visitors, especially those from Cusco.

Although not many foreign tourists get to know these wetlands, it is an excellent option if you travel on your own through the so-called ‘South Valley of Cusco’. Nearby are other attractions such as the archaeological site of Tipón, the archaeological site of Piquillacta or the town of Andahuaylillas.

Map to get there

This tourist attraction is located just 30 minutes by road from the city of Cusco (approximately 19 kilometers). It is located in the town of Huasao, district of Oropesa, province of Quispicanchi in Cusco.

Traveling there on your own is easy. You should only take a public transport called ‘Los Leones’ or ‘Saylla – Huasao’. The cost of the trip is only 1 dollar. Public transportation will leave you very close to the wetlands and can be boarded at La Cultura Avenue in Cusco.

Map to get to the Huasao Wetlands

The town of Huasao

Huasao is a small Andean town south of the city of Cusco. Its simple dirt streets and adobe houses hide a place full of tradition. The most striking is definitely the supply of ‘shamans’ that abound in this town. Indeed, many people from Cusco come to Huasao to look for ‘moorings’, ‘good luck’, ‘coca leaf readings’ or simply ‘an offering to the mountains (pachamama)’.

The shamanic tradition in Huasao dates back to the same Inca times. According to tradition, parents transmit this knowledge to their children and so on. Walking through its streets, anyone can come across the notices of the ‘shamans’ offering their services.

The wetlands: flora and fauna

The Huasao wetlands are a recreational center that offers a micro ecosystem where there are different types of plants such as the nihua (Cortaderia sp), the chachacomo ( Escallonia resinosa), molle (Schinus molle), chillca (Baccharis latifolia) and cantuta flower (Cantua buxifolia), the latter recognized as the national flower of Peru.

Because of its altitude (approximately 3,150 meters above sea level). This geography offers an excellent habitat for different birds such as the Andean duck (Oxyura ferruginea), the gray heron (Ardea cinérea), the poroncoes (Cavia tschudii) and more.

The wooden sculptures

In the past the silent wetlands of Huasao were only visited by a few people, especially by residents of Cusco. However, this changed with the manufacture of various figures of fictional animals, plants and people. These wooden sculptures were the work of the Cusco artist Juan Chalco Chura. Among animal figures, amphibians, reptiles, dinosaurs and even a mermaid stand out. On the other hand, the most striking fictional people carvings are of ‘Ents’, ‘Groot’ and ‘Baby groot’. Its purpose was to give a message about caring for the environment. Currently, the attendance of visitors increased. Even so, there are still not many tourists who dare to get there.

Are there tours?

Currently there are no tours to the Huasao wetlands. The only tour to the ‘South Valley of Cusco’ includes a visit to the archeological sites of Tipón, Piquillacta and Andahuaylillas. Huasao is not included in the itinerary.

How to go on your own?

Going to Huasao on your own is easy. To do this, you should only take public transport from ‘Avenida La Cultura’ in the city of Cusco. The ‘Los Leones’ or ‘Saylla – Huasao’ services will leave you very close to the wetlands. The cost of the service is only 2 Peruvian soles for adults (0.6 dollars) and 1 Peruvian sol for children (0.3 dollars). Remember that the opening hours are from Monday to Sunday from 9 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon.

Photo gallery of the wetlands of Huasao

Imagenes

Learn a little more

The Huasao wetlands were actually a garbage dump that polluted the water there. The local authorities, aware of the potential of the wetlands, decided to turn it into the natural theme park that it is today.

During the visit to the Huasao wetlands know that it is forbidden to contaminate the water. It is also not allowed to damage the wooden sculptures. Photos are possible.

Weekends are the busiest days. If you want to enjoy the place more calmly, you can come on weekdays, especially from Monday to Thursday.

Other nearby tourist attractions

Tipon – This Inca archaeological site was a temple of worship to water. It has enclosures with fine walls, enclosures with simple walls, a beautiful set of platforms, shrines but, above all, fine water channels. The liquid continues to flow after several centuries. Tipón is considered a marvel of Inca hydraulic engineering.

Piquillacta – This Wari archaeological site (important pre-Inca culture) resembles a ghost town. Its particular urban design has immense streets with narrow passages and enclosures up to three stories high. Unlike the Incas, the Wari mainly used adobe. In its time, Piquillacta housed more than 10,000 people.

Andahuaylillas – The town of Andahuaylillas is famous for its beautiful colonial church, considered the ‘Sistine Chapel of America‘. Inside there are numerous paintings and murals that sought to indoctrinate the local people after the Spanish conquest. Both Tipón and Piquillacta and Andahuaylillas are part of the ‘Cusco South Valley Tour’ .

Frequently asked questions about the Huasao wetlands

• 1) What are the Huasao wetlands?

  The Huasao wetlands are wooden sculptures with different figures of animals and fictional characters. It also offers a wetland where you can see various types of birds. It is visited especially by the people of Cusco.

• 2) How much does it cost to enter the Huasao wetlands?

  The entrance to the Huasao wetlands is 2 soles.

• 3) How to get there from Cusco?

  To get from the city of Cusco to the Huasao wetlands, you must take public transport from the company ‘Saylla – Huasao’. The trip takes approximately 45 minutes. The bus ticket costs 2 soles.

• 4) When is the best time to visit the Huasao wetlands?

  The dry season months are the most recommended to visit the Huasao wetlands. These are: April, May, June, July, August, September and October.

• 5) Are the Huasao wetlands included in the South Valley Cusco tour?

  No, the Huasao wetlands are not included in the famous Cusco South Valley half-day tour. This service only includes a visit to the archeological sites of Tipón, Piquillacta and the church of Andahuaylillas.

• 6) Can I go with children to the Huasao wetlands?

  Yes, the visit with children is recommended. The little ones enjoy the theme park with statues of animals and fictional characters.

• 7) What to see near the Huasao wetlands?

  During the visit to the Huasao wetlands, tourists can visit the Inca archaeological site of Tipón, the Wari archaeological site of Piquillacta, the Andahuaylillas church, the traditional town of Oropesa and more.

• 8) What is the weather like in the Huasao wetlands?

  The climate in the Huasao wetlands is cold temperate with an average temperature of 16ºC. During the day the heat can reach 22ºC. At night the cold can drop to 2ºC.

• 9) What should I bring to my visit to the Huasao wetlands?

  During your visit to the Huasao wetlands, do not forget to bring a raincoat, comfortable sportswear, a hat, sunscreen, snacks, rehydrating drinks, and a suitable backpack.

• 10) Are there shamans in Huasao?

  Huasao is famous for being a town of shamans. This shamanic tradition comes from the Inca times.

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 15, 2024

The post Huasao: the amazing wetlands of Cusco first appeared on Ticket Machu Picchu.

• The archaeological complex of Raqchi
• The temple of Wiracocha
• The god Wiracocha
• Other buildings in Raqchi
• Site Map
• The Inca trail of Raqchi
• Photo gallery
• What else to do?

The Temple of Wiracocha – Raqchi

The archaeological complex of Raqchi

• The archaeological complex of Raqchi is an area where the Incas they erected emblematic constructions of immense dimensions.
• It is also known as the Temple of Wiracocha because this is its most emblematic construction.
• It is located in the San Pedro district, Canchis province, 119 kilometers from the city of Cusco.
• According to various chroniclers, the bold walls of Raqchi were made of stone and adobe during the periods of rule of the Incas Viracocha, Pachacutec and Túpac Yupanqui in the 15th century.
• However, ceramic remains belonging to pre-Inca cultures such as Marcavalle, Pucará and Wari have recently been found.
• The place grows year by year in tourism. The specialists divided the site into 5 sectors: the Temple of Wiracocha, the Greater Inca Temple, the warehouses, the statue, the enclosures and the water sources.

The temple of Wiracocha

• This unique temple stands out for presenting immense stone and adobe walls up to 14 meters high.
• It is located on an esplanade and has two naves with windows and doors built on an andesite stone base.
• The structure that survived the destruction caused by the Spanish invasion had a gabled roof supported by columns up to 25 meters high at its highest point.
• For many historians, the large size of its constructions must have made this temple the most proportional in the Inca Empire. The greatness of this construction earned it the name of ‘Temple of Wiracocha’.

The god Wiracocha

• The worship of the god Wiracocha long predates the Incas. Investigations account for their worship from the Caral culture (3,000 BC – 1,800 BC), more than 4,000 years before the appearance of the Incas.
• The god Wiracocha was also present in ancient Peruvian cultures: Chavín (1,200 BC – 400 BC), Paracas (700 BC – 200 AD), Tiahuanaco (1500 BC – 1,187 AD), Wari (100 AD – 1,200 AD ) and more.
• Wiracocha is also called the ‘God of the staffs’ as he is represented with rods in both hands. It is also usually represented with rays of sun on the face, raindrops like tears and a feline face.
• For most cultures, Wiracocha is credited with creating the world, the sun, the moon, the stars, and the entire universe. For the Incas he was also the creator god. However, the god most worshiped by them was the sun or inti .
• Due to the worship of this god, the Inca Hatun Tópac was called Huiracocha. The chronicler Garcilaso de la Vega says that the Inca dreamed that the god Wiracocha gave him advice for his government. For this reason, it was this Inca who ordered the construction of the Raqchi temple.

Other buildings in Raqchi

In total, Raqchi is made up of an area of ​​approximately one thousand hectares. Different constructions such as aqueducts and even underground tombs were found in the surroundings of the main buildings of the enclosure. The Wiracocha temple is not the only important building in the place. Here are the sectors that stand out in Raqchi.

• The Greatest Inca Temple – A construction with a similar characteristic as the Temple of Wiracocha. Its walls have similar proportions to the main temple. The base is made of finely carved stone and finished with adobe. Of the eleven cylindrical columns that supported the roof, only one survives. Only the excavated foundations are visible from the walls.
• The warehouses – The warehouses or colcas were warehouses of food products such as corn, quinoa, potatoes and chuño. It is estimated that in Raqchi there are an average of 200, which were circular in shape and arranged along the axis of the main temple.
• The statue – During the excavations of a Spanish scientific mission in 1981, a stone representation and his body were found. Scientists maintained that it was a statue of Wiracocha. Currently, the face is in the Museum of America in Madrid. The body, in the Inca Museum of Cusco.
• The enclosures – It is a total of 22 constructions whose finely finished walls have abundant trapezoidal niches. These types of houses or barracks are deployed next to esplanades or patios proportional to the buildings.
• The water sources – This is an esplanade located to the east of the main temple and from whose walls spring water flows. There is the so-called ‘Baños del Inca’, which stands out for its finely carved stone.

Site Map

Raqchi Site Map

The Inca trail of Raqchi

• Raqchi was part of the ancient network of roads that connected the corners of the Tahuantinsuyo, known like Inca Trail or qhapac ñan.
• Due to its strategic location, Raqchi connected with important points such as Tiahuanaco in Bolivia to Tucumán in Argentina.
• To feed the messengers (chasquis) who traveled great distances to keep the Empire communicated, so many warehouses or colcas were built.
• Also, Raqchi must have been a resting place for these walkers. Currently, a large part of these roads have disappeared due to the proliferation of modern houses and buildings. It is believed that on part of these ancient Inca roads the Spanish built churches in order to extirpate the culture and belief of the Incas.

Photo gallery

What else to do?

In addition to Raqchi in the south of Cusco there are several towns and archaeological sites of Inca origin that are worth visiting. Here are some of these:

• The archaeological site of Tipón – Tipón is an Inca site where water was worshiped. This is demonstrated by its perfect channels that continue to pour water to this day. It also has large gardens, terraces, temples, minor buildings and more. The chronicles mention that it was the palace of the rulers Yahuar Huacac and Huiracocha. Today is part of the tour to the ‘South Valley of Cusco’.
• The archaeological site of Piquillacta – Piquillacta was a city of the Wari culture (pre-Inca) located south of Cusco. Its constructions covered approximately 50 hectares between 600 AD and 1,000 AD. It is believed that this citadel housed about 10,000 people. It featured passages, plazas, multi-story enclosures, temples, and more. Today it is one of the tourist attractions included in the tour to the ‘South Valley of Cusco’.
• The church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas – This Christian temple is one of the most famous in Cusco due to its beautiful murals and baroque decoration that earned it the name of ‘The Sistine Chapel of America’. It was built between 1570 and 1606. A good part of its canvases and murals were created by the artist Luis de Riaño in the 17th century. It is located in the town of Andahuaylillas. The visit to this place is also part of the ‘South Valley of Cusco’ tour.

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 15, 2024

The post The Temple of Wiracocha in Raqchi first appeared on Ticket Machu Picchu.

• What is it?
• Where is it located?
• How to get there?
• Map
• Why visit Tipón?
• History
• What to see?
• Gastronomic tourism
• The Tipón Zoo
• Entrance cost
• Hours of operation
• Images
• Weather in Tipon
• Some recommendations for your visit
• Questions and answers

Beautifully Carved Water Fountains – Tipón Archaeological Park

One of the ways that more tourists visit Tipón is through the ‘South Valley Tour of Cusco’, which also includes a tour of the archaeological site of Piquillacta and the church of Andahuaylillas (also known as the Sistine Chapel of America). Tours last 5 hours and include transportation, tour guide, and entrance fees.

What is it?

• Tipón was an Inca citadel and site for the cult of water.
• In the place, terraces, platforms, stone rooms, adobe and majestically worked water pipes were built.
• Due to the perfection with which the Incas conducted the water in Tipón; this site is considered ‘Wonder of Civil Engineering’.
• Its structures include its altar to the sun (Intihuatana), the wall that protected the enclosure, the Cruzmoqo viewpoint, from where the city of Cuzco and its royal enclosures can be seen.

Where is it located?

• Tipón is the first tourist destination in the South Valley of Cusco. It is located in the Choquepata community, in the Oropesa district, Quispicanchi province; just 23 kilometers southeast of the Imperial City.
• The Cusco-Oropesa paved road can be reached in just 37 minutes with any car. The altitude is 3316 meters above sea level. In the highest area of ​​the enclosure, the altitude can reach 3850 meters.

How to get there?

• To visit Tipón on your own you must take public transportation on La Cultura avenue. The transport companies that go to Tipón have a cost of approximately 2 Peruvian soles (less than 1 dollar).
• Once at the ‘Desvío de Tipón’ you must take a collective taxi for 5 Peruvian soles (less than 2 dollars). These shared taxis leave the visitor at the very door of the archaeological site.
• The return follows the same route as the outbound journey.

Map

Map of the archaeological site of Tipón

Why visit Tipón?

• The Archaeological Park of Tipón has 240 hectares. It is part of the Qhapac Ñan route (network of Inca roads).
• It is attractive to the visitor because it is made up of thirteen terraces built in the masonry or Inca style.
• Among its greatest attractions are its royal enclosures, the Intiwatana (altar of the sun), the viewpoint or Cruzmoqo (summit where there is a cross), the smaller enclosures and the wall.
• According to the chronicler Garcilaso de la Vega, it was built by the Inca Huiracocha as the residence of his father Huaqaj, after he was overthrown for escaping from a Chanca rebellion.

History

• Like many important Inca sites, Tipón was inhabited by human groups and cultures that were predecessors to the Incas, such as the Ayamarcas and the Waris.
• The chronicles indicate that Tipón was the residence of the ruler Yahuar Huacac. His son and successor to the throne Huiracocha was the one who built the main canals and walls of the enclosure during the 15th century.
• During the Spanish invasion in the 16th century, Tipón’s buildings were not destroyed, so it currently maintains a large part of its original figure.
• After more than 600 years, the Tipón canals continue to flow water precisely and constantly. Because of this, the North American engineer Kenneth Wright called it “Wonder of civil engineering.”
• Currently, Tipón is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Cusco. It is part of the so-called ‘South Valley’ tour that also includes Piquillacta and the Andahuaylillas church.

What to see?

• The royal enclosures – These are the most important buildings in the enclosure. It is presumed that it was the compound that Huiracocha had built for his father. It has water gutters, fountains and gardens.
• The platforms and canals – The entire archaeological site is an example of the perfection of the Incas in hydraulic works. The various ecological floors of the platforms would have served as a center for agricultural experimentation. The place is in good condition despite the passage of time.
• The Intihuatana – The Intihuatana (altar of the sun) refers to enclosures built on a mountainous elevation. Through its trapezoidal windows you could see the entire enclosure and the sunlight.
• The viewpoint or Cruzmoqo – Cruzmoqo means ‘Summit where there is a cross’. It is an enclosure located at the top and north of the archaeological site. From its top you can see Cusco.
• Minor Enclosures – Lower quality rooms than actual stone and adobe enclosures. Due to the quality of its construction, it must have housed minor personalities.
• The wall – Constructions of great dimensions and length. It must have served to protect the site from constant attacks by rival towns.

Cultivation platforms and water channels that can still be seen in Tipón

Gastronomic tourism

• For lovers of good food, Tipón is one of the most popular destinations in Cusco.
• Twelve minutes from the archaeological park, there are many restaurants serving typical food in the area.
• The main dishes include baked guinea pig and pork rinds. Both dishes are accompanied by serrano potatoes and ají de huacatay. Peru is considered the most exciting culinary destination in the world.

Baked guinea pig is one of the typical dishes that you can taste on your visit to Tipón

The Tipón Zoo

• In addition to its archaeological site, the town of Tipón is famous for hosting a small zoo.
• This recreational center has some animals from the mountains and jungle of Peru, such as: the spectacled bear, the condor, the macaw, the llama and more.
• The entrance fee for foreign tourists is 10 Peruvian soles (approximately 3 dollars).
• The zoo is located just a few steps from the archeological site of Tipón. Yes it is possible to walk from there.

Entrance cost

• To enter the archaeological park of Tipón you must have the ‘Cusco Tourist Ticket’ Circuit 2, which includes entry to: Tipón, Piquillacta, monument to the Inca Pachacutec, Qosqo Center of Native Art, Coricancha site museum, museum of popular art, regional historical museum and contemporary art museum.
• The cost of the Cusco Tourist Ticket Circuit 2 is 70 Peruvian soles (about 22 US dollars, approximately).

Hours of operation

• Monday through Sunday from 7 am to 6 pm.

Gallery - Tipón Archaeological Park

Weather in Tipón

• Tipon has a temperate climate that varies from a maximum of 21ºC. up to a minimum of 2ºC.
• From November to March the rains are constant. From April to October the climate is dry, with little rain.
• In the afternoons the wind tends to blow strongly. It is recommended to rain a windbreaker jacket over a pole. In addition, comfortable pants or sweatshirt as well as shoes to walk through the archaeological site without problems.

Some recommendations for your visit

• Take advantage of your trip to Tipón to get to know other tourist attractions in the South Valley of Cusco: Piquillacta, Andahuaylillas, Raqchi or Huasao.
• To reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness, try not to drink alcoholic beverages or eat fatty foods during your trip to Cusco.
• If you decide to visit Tipón with a tour, choose a serious tourism agency. A good option for a correct choice is to see the comments published in internet tourism forums such as TripAdvisor.

Questions and answers

• a) When is the best time to visit Tipón?

  Any time is ideal to visit Tipón. Due to the pleasant climate and the lower probability of rain, the dry season (April to October) is perfect for the tour.

• b) Can I hire a tour guide in Tipón?

  The tours to the South Valley include the guided service in Tipón. If you want to visit this archaeological site on your own, there are tourist guides offering their services at the entrance door.

• c) Is it allowed to buy the ticket to Tipón at the entrance gate?

  The entrance to the archaeological site of Tipón is included in the tours to the South Valley of Cusco. However, it is also possible to buy the entrance ticket at the door of the enclosure.

• d) Is there a small zoo near Tipón?

  A few meters from the archaeological site of Tipón there is a small zoo. The entrance ticket is sold at the door of the establishment for only 10 Peruvian soles (3 US dollars).

• e) How much does the entrance to Tipón cost?

  Entrance to Tipón is included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket. In case you want to make the visit on your own, the adult ticket price is 20 soles (6U $ D).

• f) What should I bring?

  During your visit, do not forget to bring a rain poncho as it can rain at any time. Also bring sunscreen, good sneakers, and a hat to shelter from the heat.

• g) What are the nearby tourist attractions of Tipón?

  A few kilometers from Tipón you can visit the archaeological site of Piquillacta. This pre-Inca site is also included in the South Valley Tour of Cusco.

• h) Is it dangerous?

  No. Tipón has buildings that are easy to navigate and do not represent any danger to visitors.

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 15, 2024

The post Tipón Archaeological Park first appeared on Ticket Machu Picchu.