Cusco, a place where mysteries and lesser-known experiences bring complete satisfaction to anyone who sets foot in its welcoming corners. A true Pandora’s box for adventure lovers and “a treasured stronghold of Peruvian culture.” It’s a destination that undoubtedly has so much to offer, especially for those passionate about adventure and trekking.
So, leave idleness behind and rise to the challenge! It’s time to test your own limits and venture not into the depths… but to the very heights of Cusco!
Here, we’ll share a glimpse of what awaits you on this journey to Apu Mama Simona: how to get there, the best seasons to visit, and the wonderful things you’ll discover along the way!
Contents
How Can I Get There Safely?
If you’d like to reach this spot, you first need to be in the imperial city of Cusco. The good news is that if you’re already in the historic centre, you’re very close. The next step is to head towards the community of Quishuarcancha, and we’ll share three safe ways to get there, depending on your budget:
Budget-Friendly Option
- If you’re at Cusco’s Plaza de Armas (Main Square), head to the Almagro bus stop, which is just a short walk from where you are.
- Once there, take the C4M bus service (red buses with yellow details) and get off at Antonio Lorena stop. From this point, you can hop on a combi (shared minibus), which makes your journey even more affordable.
- Depending on traffic, the trip may take 45 minutes or more. Just remember: the bus you’ll take is headed to Ccorca, a bit further out than your actual destination, Apu Mama Simona. So, make sure to kindly ask the driver to let you off at the Quishuarcancha community.
Semi-Budget Option
- Follow the first two steps from the budget-friendly option.
- Once you arrive at the Antonio Lorena stop, you can take a taxi or a shared car (colectivo) and ask the driver to take you to the community of Quishuarcancha. The fare will be a little higher, though still less than the next option.
Comfort Option
This is called the comfort option because, if bus stops and directions feel a bit confusing, you can simply hire a car directly from the historic centre that’s available to take you straight to Quishuarcancha. Of course, this journey will be more expensive, but if you value convenience, it’s probably the best choice for you.
No matter which option you choose to reach Quishuarcancha, your adventure doesn’t end there.
Once you’ve arrived in the community, you just need to head towards the mountain on the north-western side. The path is signposted, but just to be sure you don’t miss the right way, we’ve included the following map to guide you:
Apu Mama Simona
You’ve probably heard of some of the famous Apus such as Huanacaure, Pachatusán, or the majestic Ausangate. However, there’s another Andean guardian that is rarely spoken of, yet holds immense importance: Apu Mama Simona, rising proudly to 4,342 metres above sea level.
What makes this Apu unique is the striking shape of its summit, where you can clearly make out the natural outline of a woman’s face carved into the rock. According to tradition, the Incas noticed that all the Apus surrounding Cusco were masculine in nature, so they gave Mama Simona the feminine spirit of protection, creating a spiritual balance for the empire.
Even today, this figure can be seen from different parts of Cusco, such as the Regocijo Square or, even more clearly, from Sacsayhuamán. Yet nothing compares to admiring it up close on a tour, surrounded by breathtaking Andean scenery and the mystical energy that radiates from this mountain.
Considered both protective and sacred, Mama Simona continues to be a site for offerings and rituals to Pachamama. Visiting it is not just a visual delight, but a deeply spiritual experience that connects travellers with the Andean worldview and the powerful feminine energy of the Andes.
When is the best time to visit?
You’ve probably already got plenty of experience planning your trips – deciding on the right times, which days to go, what to take with you, and so on. But let me tell you, as any local from Cusco would, planning here also means getting to know the place itself – and Apu Mama Simona is no exception.
This sacred mountain is a place of worship, and if you visit between July and August you’ll understand why the Sun God Inti was so highly revered in the imperial city of Cusco. That’s in terms of the climate. Now, speaking of its spiritual side, this is also where rituals and offerings to Mother Earth are held, with the hope of ensuring good harvests for the year ahead. Among these ceremonies, the most important is the Haywarikuy.
Celebrated every 1st of August, Haywarikuy marks the Andean New Year. It is a festival dedicated to Pachamama (Mother Earth), giving thanks for the harvests of the past year and asking for blessings for the ones to come.
That’s why the best recommendation is to visit on the 1st of August – that way, you’ll get a double reward! Not only will you admire the mighty Apu Mama Simona, but you’ll also witness traditional dances, age-old rituals, and a truly unique cultural celebration.
Free Walking Tours Peru
Secure your spot on our free tours led by professional, authorized, and expert guides in Free tour Cusco, Free tour Lima, and Free tour Arequipa. Booking is free!
