The Puka Pukara Ruins in Peru

James Bustamante( Travel Writer )

James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.

www.journeymachupicchu.com

Last Updated on March 22, 2021 by James Bustamante

The Puka Pukara ruins are basically an Inca military fortress located in the Cusco near the city.  The Incas were no strangers to buildings with multiple uses and these would include military objectives as well.

This “Red fortress” is one of our stops during a tour of Cusco and tends to be one of the more impressive sets of ruins due to its color. Let’s go over some of the details about these ancient Inca Ruins. 

The Meaning of Puka Pukara

Puka Pukara is the Quechua phrase that means “red fortress”, Puka means red and Pukara means fortress. Researchers state that this Inca site was a military base situated on the outskirts of the city of Cusco, high in the Andes mountains of Peru. The red fortress consists of several terraces, staircases, and large enclosed walls.

It is implied that the name originates from how the bricks that make up the fortress have a red look to them at dusk. It has also been speculated that the stones used to build this massive structure were a much darker red when first built due to their high iron content. 

The stones are very different from what is used in other Inca structures such as Machu Picchu for example.

Getting to Puka Pukara

You can find the popular Inca ruins in the Cusco region of the Peruvian Andes. The site is located approximately 5 miles (8 km) from the city of Cusco at over 12,651 feet (3,850 meters) above sea level. If you were heading to the Pisac ruins, Puka Pukara would be on the way near Antisuyo.

The Inca ruins, known as the red fortress, were strategically placed on high ground in order to have a good view of the Cusco valley as well as Tambomachay. For travelers this provides a picturesque view of the surrounding landscapes, for the Inca however, this meant having an advantage over any invaders. 

Puka Pukara’s Purpose

Among the many ruins that surround Cusco, the red fortress is one of the more mysterious Inca sites you will visit. Scholars argue when exactly it was built, many states that it was constructed during the rule of the Inca Pachacutec. This would make the old Inca fortress one of the late constructions made by the Inca because the Inca Pachacutec was the 9th ruler the empire had. 

Construction of Puka Pukara

The materials used for the construction of the red fortress are all of different shapes and sizes. The actual construction lacks the detail most of the surrounding Inca ruins are internationally known for.

Many of the stones are randomly placed, it is almost as if this particular Inca fortress was rushed in its construction. 

The Puka Pukara ruins are referred to as the red fortress due to the color of the stones used in their constructions. Today the stones have a more greyish color but when it was first put together the limestone used was a reddish color due to the high iron content. 

Researchers who specialize in Inca architecture are unsure of what the objective of Puka Pukara was during the height of the Inca empire.

There weren’t many cultures out there that could rival the Inca during the height of their empire so why was this base built in such a hurry? 

There are certain scholars that believe it was used as a military checkpoint and not really a base. This is because the view of the surrounding landscape from Puka Pukara is quite good and would make sense in case anyone suspicious came along.

The road Puka Purara is on lead directly into the empire of the Inca so keeping it safe was a priority. 

Another theory is that Puka Pukara was used by traveling hunters and Incan nobles to rest. Puka Pukara also has baths, canals, fountains, and even rooms that could have been used.

Tips for Visiting Puka Pukara

Make sure to have a bottle of water, a hat, and sunblock. The high elevation near the ruins makes it easy to get sunburned over the course of the tour.  

Acclimate well before heading out to the ruins. You will reach Puka Pukara at around 12,651 feet (3,850 meters) in elevation so being adapted to the new elevation is key.  

Use comfortable footwear when taking this trip. Like many of the hikes that leave Cusco, this one will demand plenty of walking so make sure you are as comfortable as possible. 

Support the local merchants at the ruins by getting small souvenirs. A lot of the locals rely heavily on tourist traffic and buying a small pendant for a dollar or two would mean the world to them. 

The ruins are part of a full-day tour through several Inca archaeological sites so make sure to pace yourself and not overexert too early on this trip. We will also get to Sacsayhuaman and the Qenqo ruins. 

Conclusion

The red fortress is located in one of the most beautiful places around the region so you will be very happy with the landscapes and possible photographs. 

Puka Pukara is part of a Cusco city tour along with Sacsayhuaman, we usually recommend this tour be taken once you have been in Cusco for at least a day or two first.  If you are interested in visiting the Puka Pukara ruins make sure to contact our travel advisers today for more details!

Frequently Asked Questions About Puka Pukara