Tour T'aqrachullo & Three Canyons Full Day
Detailed Itinerary
3:00 AM — Pickup in Cusco
Hotel pickup from the historic center of Cusco or an agreed meeting point. We depart in a comfortable tourist vehicle as the city sleeps and the Andes slowly wake up.
5:00 AM — Breakfast en Route
A stop for a traditional Andean breakfast to fuel the day ahead. The first light of dawn begins to color the southern plateau — one of the most beautiful moments of the entire journey.
8:30 AM — Devil’s Gorge
Our first stop at this spectacular natural formation, where water has sculpted dramatic vertical rock corridors over thousands of years. The roar of the river and the towering walls set the tone for the expedition.
10:00 AM — T’aqrachullo Archaeological Complex: Lower Section
We enter the archaeological site. Our expert bilingual guide introduces you to 600+ structures: burial towers, storehouses, ceremonial platforms, and elite residences shaped by the overlapping traditions of the Collao, Huari, and Cana cultures — all united under the Inca Empire.
10:45 AM — Ascent to the Upper Sanctuary
A 35-minute hike brings you to the top of the complex. The stone structures grow more impressive, and the panoramic views over the Three Canyons and the Espinar plateau reach their peak. This is the best photo opportunity of the entire tour.
12:00 PM — Three Canyons Viewpoint (Suykutambo)
We arrive at the viewpoint overlooking the convergence of the Apurímac, Callumani, and Cerritambo rivers. Walls that drop over 260 feet create one of the most jaw-dropping landscapes in southern Peru — truly unforgettable.
1:30 PM — Traditional Lunch in Espinar
We enjoy a typical local meal in the city of Espinar: lamb broth, chuño, chicha morada, and other traditional high-altitude dishes to recharge after a full morning of exploration.
3:00 PM – 8:00 PM — Return to Cusco
We begin the return drive along the same route, enjoying the Andean sunset along the way. Estimated arrival back in the historic center of Cusco is around 8:00 pm.
We recommend bringing
How to Prepare for Your Expedition
T’aqrachullo sits at nearly 13,000 feet above sea level and the day starts before sunrise. These tips will make the difference between a comfortable trip and an unforgettable one:
- Acclimatize first: spend at least 1–2 days in Cusco (11,150 ft) before joining this tour to reduce altitude sickness risk.
- Layer up: pre-dawn temperatures can drop below freezing. By midday, the high-altitude sun is intense. Dress in layers.
- Sun protection: SPF 50+ sunscreen, UV-blocking sunglasses, and a hat are essential at this elevation.
- Stay hydrated: bring 1.5–2 liters of water. Chewing coca leaves is a traditional and effective remedy for altitude discomfort.
- Footwear: wear hiking shoes or trail sneakers with non-slip soles for the archaeological walk.
- Cash: bring Peruvian soles for entrance fees and personal purchases. There are no ATMs near the complex.
- Camera: the canyon views and panoramas from the top of T’aqrachullo are some of the best photo opportunities in all of southern Cusco.
Combine Your Trip with More Experiences
T’aqrachullo is the perfect starting point for a deeper exploration of the Cusco region. Here are Aremika Travel tours that pair beautifully with this expedition:
CLASSIC
Machu Picchu Full Day
The world’s most iconic Inca citadel. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
See tour →
POPULAR
Sacred Valley of the Incas
Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero in one day. The living heart of the Inca civilization along the Urubamba River.
See tour →
ADVENTURE
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)
A geological wonder of vivid colors at 17,060 feet. One of the most photographed landscapes in all of Peru.
See tour →
CULTURAL
Machu Picchu & Cusco 3 days
Machu Picchu, Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, and more.
See tour →
📖 Read more on our blog:
T’aqrachullo: The Hidden Inca Sanctuary ·
Sacred Valley Complete Travel Guide ·
Best Places to Visit in Cusco
Additional Information
Tour Overview
The journey begins before dawn from the historic center of Cusco and crosses the southern Andean plateau toward the province of Espinar. The first stop is the Devil’s Gorge, a dramatic natural formation where water has carved vertical rock corridors over millennia. Next, the T’aqrachullo archaeological complex unfolds with more than 600 structures — circular, rectangular, ceremonial, and funerary — set against sweeping panoramic views. The grand finale is the Three Canyons Viewpoint at Suykutambo, where the convergence of the Apurímac, Callumani, and Cerritambo rivers creates one of the most breathtaking landscapes in all of Peru. A traditional lunch in Espinar rounds out the experience before the return to Cusco.
Tour Highlights
🏛
4th Temple of the Empire
Ranked alongside the Qorikancha and Pachacamac by the archaeologists who led the excavations.
💎
3,000+ Artifacts Found
Gold, silver, and copper sequins, pectorals, and bracelets recovered during excavations from 2019 to 2024.
🌄
Three Canyons of Suykutambo
Rocky walls up to 260 feet deep, carved by three Andean rivers over thousands of years.
🗺
Part of the Qhapaq Ñan
A strategic node of the Great Inca Road — a UNESCO World Heritage route that connected the entire continent.
🦙
Andean Wildlife
Vicuñas, alpacas, and high-altitude birds roaming the ichu grass plains of the Espinar plateau.
📸
Crowd-Free Destination
One of the most authentic sites in southern Cusco — no crowds, no noise, pure Andean silence.
Quick Reference
| Location |
Espinar Province, southern Cusco region, Peru |
| Distance from Cusco |
Approx. 150 miles via Cusco–Sicuani–Espinar route |
| Altitude |
Between 12,795 and 13,450 feet above sea level |
| Difficulty |
Moderate — approx. 35-minute hike within the archaeological site |
| Best Time to Visit |
April through November (dry season) |
| Total Duration |
Approx. 17 hours — departure 3:00 am, return ~8:00 pm |
| Tour Type |
Group or private (couples, families, corporate groups) |
Ready for Your Sacred Expedition?
Book with Aremika Travel and be among the first to discover the Inca sanctuary the world is just beginning to know. Limited spots — we keep our groups small.
Want to learn about the discovery before you arrive? Read our full article: T’aqrachullo: The Hidden Inca Sanctuary Recently Unveiled in Cusco →
