Runkurakay Archaeological Site on the Inca Trail

Cusco, is the privileged city, because here we find an endless number of Inca constructions, for example when you go through the Inca trail of 4 days you will find several archaeological sites such as Runkurakay..

This place is built in a peculiar way, its constructions are circular, it is thought that it was a resting place because it is on the road leading to Machu Picchu, we will also see the meaning of the place, what to see and do in Runcurakay, and finally what tour includes the visit to this beautiful tourist spot.

What does Runkurakay mean?

Before talking about all its history, architecture and what was its purpose, we must first understand that Runkurakay is a word derived from Quechua that would mean "abandoned house" or "collapsed house". It adopts this name because the semi-circular construction and also unique throughout the Inca Trail.

Well, now the archaeological site of Runkurakay is at an altitude of about 3,760 m, you find it in the course of the Inca trail (Urubamba) that takes you to Machu Picchu; the difference of this construction among the others is that it has a semi-circular structure, something that was only seen in the tambos or some Inca cities.

Runkurakay was a religious and urban center overlooking the Urubamba Valley, all those who passed through the place used it as a place of accommodation, control site although it is believed that the place would have more functions, as it has not yet been studied as it should be.

Architecturally, Runkurakayhas a central plaza, enclosures surrounding the houses, niches (where they placed their idols), and trapezoidal doors, a place with a lot of mystery and wonder because it is located in the high part and covered with mist.

According to studies, Runkurakay was erected with slate stone and gray granite, it also has six rooms with a plaza facing northeast.

• Runkurakay was an urban and religious center.

What to see and do in Runkurakay?

• Flora and fauna: As the trail takes you to Machu Picchu you will be able to see a variety of wild animals and plants that can only be found here.
• Mirador: It works as a lookout because from the top you can see the city of Llactapata, Sayaqmarka.
• Architecture: We can see the semicircular construction that was made on the site, the material used and the rooms, among others.
• You can do photography, ecotourism..

Images of the archaeological site of Runkurakay

Tours on Terandes.com including Runkurakay on the Inca Trail

The tour that includes the visit to Runkurakay is to make the Inca trail of 4 days and 3 nights, this tour will take you through different tourist destinations, then you can know the Inca citadel Machu Picchu.

Finally, if you want to continue to know more destinations, be sure to separate your trip from the Inca Trail that will allow you to know this and other magical parts of our city of Cusco.