Wayna Tawqaray

Wayna Tawqaray is an archaeological site with stone structures built on the slope of Tawqaray mountain at about 3,600 meters (11,800 feet) above sea level, southeast of Cusco's center. The complex integrates residential and ceremonial spaces that blend into the surrounding mountain landscape.

The site developed during the height of the Inca Empire as both a residential and ceremonial location. It demonstrates how the Inca constructed settlements in challenging mountain terrain while maintaining complex social and spiritual functions.

The name comes from Quechua language, where 'wayna' means young man and 'tawqaray' refers to a gathering or meeting place. The site reflects how the Inca people connected their settlements to the sacred mountain landscape around them.

Access requires permits from local tourist offices, and it is best to hire a guide or arrange private transportation. The remote location and high altitude mean visitors should allow time for acclimatization before visiting.

The site is surrounded by agricultural terraces that reveal how the Inca developed advanced farming methods to grow food on steep mountain slopes. This widespread technique among Andean peoples transformed the mountain landscape and supported larger populations.