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| Puca Pucara Or "Red Fort" In Quechua Language; Pachacútec's Tambo |
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Puca Pucara is located in the Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuaman ( Parque Arqueológico de Sacsayhuamán ) located to the north of Cusco (Qosqo). The park embraces 3,000 hectares approximately, where you can see a rich Andean flora and fauna, including llamas, kestrels and hawks. It also contains many archaeological monuments, Puca Pucara is probably the least impressive of the ruins around Cusco, but Puca Pucara offers impressive views of the Cusco Valley and several glaciers to the south. It is located about 8km from Cusco, beside the main Cusco-Pisac roadway. It is also a short walk from Sacsayhuamán and Q’enqo. Most people ride on a tour bus between these sites. In Quechua, Puca Pucara means “Red Fort,” probably due to the color of the dirt and rocks in the area. The complex was probably used by Emperor Pachacútec as a tambo, or out of town lodge. Perhaps the Emperor’s court was stationed here when the Emperor came to visit the nearby baths of Tambo Machay. Beneath the complex there are several chambers to explore and the platform on top offers spectacular views. When visiting you will see this archaeological site located on a small rocky hill in which you can see a series of rectangular formations. Upon closer examination you will notice that it is enclosed by a wall and platforms to protect the fort. You can also see the fortification with warehouses, rooms, water springs, waterways and aqueducts. Parts of an anciet roadway are visable, the buildings are made of small to medium size stones. At the foot of the hill lies Pucara, there is a small torrent on a narrow stream between a granite walls made in the old Inca style. We were at Puca Pucara at about 3:20 PM on the afternoon of April 18, 2006.
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The first choice of where to go in order to visit Puca Pucara Or Red Fort, near Cusco, Peru is to fly in to Cusco, Peru. The Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (IATA: CUZ, ICAO: SPZO) is located in the city of Cusco, in southeastern Peru. Cusco is a principal tourist attraction in Latin America, and it receives various domestic flights as well as some international flights. There are several really nice hotels in Cusco. There are also several Guided Tour Agencies offering standard city, and archaeological tours of Cusco and the surrounding area. After arranging your flight we would suggest getting your hotel and then letting them arrange tours of the area for you. If you call the hotels Concierge Services ahead of your arrival, all of this can be pre-arranged for you. We do this all the time. It is safe and it works!!! We have never experienced a problem doing it this way! We have links to Expedia.com on our page so that you can arrange your flight and hotel in Cusco.
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| From Our Hotel Room We Can See The Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuaman | Parque Arqueológico de Sacsayhuamán Can Be Seen In The Distance |
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| On The Road We Pass Houses With Toritos On The Roofs For Good Health And Fortune | The Whole Community Builds The House Then The Village Godfather Places The Toritos On The Roof |
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| After a Short Drive We Arrive At Puca Pucara | The Scenery Is Beautiful |
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| Inca Walls | Inka Doorway |
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| Inca Wall Fine Detail | Inca Ancient Structure |
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| Inca Ancient Structure | Dolls Hung In Trees For Good Fortune |
