Parque Huajsapata

Hilltop park with a statue of Manco Cápac, just west of the centre

A small hilltop park about ten minutes' walk uphill from the Plaza de Armas, crowned by a tall stone statue of Manco Cápac pointing toward Cuzco. The views from the top take in the city centre below, the harbour, and Lake Titicaca stretching east — a quieter alternative to the better-known Kuntur Wasi viewpoint, and closer to the centre.

The park is popular with local couples in the afternoons and with photography students at sunset. The climb is steep but short. Watch for pickpockets after dark; visit during daylight hours.

things to do sight
A story
The statue at the top depicts Manco Cápac, the legendary first Inca, who in Andean mythology emerged from Lake Titicaca with his sister-wife Mama Ocllo to found the Inca dynasty at Cuzco. The Aymara of Puno consider their region the original birthplace of the empire.

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