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.