Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Away
From Cochamabamba take a
micro
to Plaza Bolívar in Quillacollo and there jump on a
trufi
or a
micro
to Sipe Sipe. Inca-Rakay is accessed on foot from Sipe Sipe. Since staying
overnight is not a safe option, you must get an early start out of Cochabamba; the trip
takes the better part of a day and you'll need time to explore the ruins.
It's a 5km, 2½-hour cross-country (but well-signed) walk up a steep hill from Sipe Sipe
to the site. From the southwest corner of Sipe Sipe's main plaza, follow the road past the
secondary school. From there the road narrows into a path and crosses a small ditch.
Across the ditch, turn left onto the wider road. Starting several hundred meters up the road
from town, follow a water pipeline uphill to the first major ridge; there'll be a large ravine
on your left. From there, bear to the right and follow the ridge until you see a smaller rav-
ine on the right. At this point you're actually able to see Inca-Rakay atop a reddish hill in
the distance, but from so far away it's hard to distinguish.
Cross the small ravine and follow it until you can see a couple of adobe houses on the
other side. In front there'll be a little hill with some minor ruins at the top. Climb the hill,
cross the large flat area and then climb up two more false ridges until you see Inca-Rakay.
