How to get to Raqchi from Cusco. The archaeological site of Raqchi is located south of the city of Cusco, in the district of San Pedro de Cachas in the province of Canchis (Cuzco, Peru). The archaeological site of Raqchi is also known as the temple of Viracocha or Wiracocha.
Raqchi Archaeological Site
The main feature of Raqchi is the Temple of Wiracocha, which is one of the largest structures built by the Incas. The temple is characterized by its solid adobe walls and stone foundations. It consists of a central structure surrounded by smaller buildings and storage areas. The temple complex covers a significant area and was probably used for religious ceremonies, storage and administrative purposes.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the Wiracocha Temple is its unique architectural style, particularly the use of cylindrical columns called “chullpas.” These columns are made of stone and are arranged in rows along the outer walls of the temple. The purpose of these columns is not entirely clear, but it is believed that they served both structural and symbolic functions.
Raqchi is an important site for understanding the architectural and religious practices of the Inca civilization. It attracts visitors from around the world interested in exploring Peru’s rich cultural heritage and marveling at the impressive engineering feats of the Inca Empire.
Cusco to Raqchi
To get to Raqchi from Cusco, you can take a bus, a taxi or an organized tour. Here I show you some options:
Bus: You can take a bus from the Cusco Land Terminal to Sicuani, which is the closest city to Raqchi. From Sicuani, you can take a taxi or mototaxi to Raqchi. Buses to Sicuani are usually regular and offer frequent departures during the day.
Organized tour or private transfer: Many travel agencies in Cusco offer guided tours that include a visit to Raqchi, along with other nearby archaeological sites, such as Pukara and the Andahuaylillas church. These tours usually include transportation, a tour guide, and often lunch as well. They also only offer the private transfer service from Cusco to Raqchi and adapt to all types of schedules and pick-up locations.
If you wish, our travel agencies also offer private transfer from Cusco to Raqchi and tour of the South Valley of Cusco.