Goñicutac, Astobamba & Warawtampu Day Trip

Goñicutac, Astobamba & Warawtampu Day Trip

At 7 am, we'll pick you up from your accommodation in Cerro de Pasco and head to the Chaupihuaranga Valley. When we get to the small village of Rocco, we'll set off on a 1-hour 30-minute walk through the valley to the Goñicutac Archaeological Complex, the ancient settlement of the Yaros.

This indigenous community inhabited the citadel during the 13th century and controlled the regions of Pasco and Huánuco until the arrival of the Incas. We'll walk through its streets, small squares and passages and discover the history of this sacred compound as well as the basic hydraulic systems used to ensure a water supply. In addition, we'll visit the Temple of the Moon, where sacrifices were made in honour of this celestial body. 

Next, we'll head to Yanahuanca where you'll have some free time to have lunch. We'll then continue our journey through the different archaeological sites in the valley.

Just 3 miles from this town, we'll find the archaeological sites of Astobamba and Warawtampu. While a river flows between these two places, a bridge built by the Incas that also forms part of the Inca Trail from the capital of Cusco connects them. We'll visit Astobamba and see its pre-Inca constructions, which were built by the Wari civilization. The Wari were one of the most powerful Andean civilizations in this region, and their name means "City of Punishment" in Quechua.

We'll then go to Warawtampu and visit several buildings from the Inca period. These buildings include the Incawasi, or the Palace of the Inca, and the Baño del Inca water fountain, which supplied water to the community. We'll also be able to admire the beautiful staggered waterfalls found in this complex, whose set of waterfalls stretches out for almost 2 miles (3 kilometres).

After an incredible day, we'll return to Cerro de Pasco. We'll drop you back at your accommodation at around 6 pm.