Trip Planner: South America / Bolivia / La Paz Department / Copacabana / Horca del Inca

Horca del Inca, Copacabana

3.8

#7 of 10 in Things to do in Copacabana

For insight into pre-Incan civilization head to Horca del Inca, an ancient astronomical observatory located on the hillsides of Copacabana. In spite of the name, the ruins are neither gallows nor made by the Incas. (Rumor attributes the erroneous name to Spanish colonialists upon their discovery of the site in the 16th century.) Locals use the piercing sunlight through the holed rocks surrounding the observatory to predict all kinds of things, from rainfall to expected crop yields during the Aymara new year. By using our Copacabana travel planner , you can arrange your visit to Horca del Inca and other attractions in Copacabana.

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Horca del Inca Tours

Full Day Tour of Sun Island in Copacabana from La Paz BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $80

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Duration: 15 hours

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Horca del Inca Reviews

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109 reviews

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By FabianHaim On February 25, 2018

Una subida bastante cansadora con un guía medio improvisado al que no le creí la mayoría de las cosas que decía, pero hacerla en silencio y sin información dudosa también vale la pena. more »

A fairly tiring climb with a half improvised guide which did not believe most of the things he said, but do it quietly and without dubious information also voucher worth.

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By M. P. M On January 15, 2018

Fomos a Pachataka ou La Horca Del Inca. É preciso subir um morro igualmente íngreme como o do Calvário, porém não estava limpo nem organizadinho como o outro. Derrubaram árvores que tornavam difícil o... more »

We went to Pachataka or La Gallows Del Inca. You need to climb a steep hill also like Calvary, but wasn't clean or organized as the other. Downed trees that made it difficult the course and it began to rain. The chance to run into a snake or slip on the rocks was great and there was no one but me and John. In the end, all right. Pachataka in Aymara language means "place of where you measure the time", it was a centre of astronomy pré-incaico, where mediate the cycle of the seasons, predicted eclipses and see planets. Anyway, the 5000 m altitude really that people were closer to the sky. And no wonder the main inca god was the Sun (Inti). Despite the cold, the Sun in this place burns. Take your sunscreen and abuse without mercy.

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By Rostyslav S On January 11, 2018

El lugar más interesante de la ciudad, por las impresionantes vistas, por las formaciones rocosas del cerro y por el yacimiento arqueológico en la cima, mal llamado Horca del Inca (en realidad un anti... more »

The most interesting place of the city, by the breathtaking views, the rock formations of the Hill and archaeological site on top, so-called Horca del Inca (actually an old astral Observatory).

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By Jon Stachelrodt On March 21, 2018

Nice hike. Good for when you are still adjusting to the altitude. as other reviewers have noted, the Inca aspect is pretty small compared to so may other ruins nearby. Since Isla de la Sol is blockaded, this is nice to get to and without the hassle and time of the ferry (90 minutes each way). Once we speint time at the ruins, we climbed the rest of the way to the top of the hill, which was also nice.

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By Davi Marti On February 16, 2018

Nice hike but not as good as the other side the calvario. Plus they charge you to go up to see a rock with another rock across claimed to be some astrology speciality for the natives .

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By Mat Ladley On October 15, 2017

Nice views and interesting stones at the top. The Inca aspect is practically non existent. Climb is moderate. I did this and the other hill - calvario - I'd say they're both about as good as each other. This one is more relaxing at the top and you get to see the town and the lake in one view

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By Felipe Villanueva On January 27, 2018

Nice place and good for a morning hike !

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By Alejandro Maldonadoz On January 16, 2018

Muy lindo lugar para tener un buen panorama desde las alturas de Copacabana. Tener lindas fotos y tal vez tener un lindo picnic. (No botar basura en el lugar)

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Very nice place to have a good overview from the heights of Copacabana. Have nice photos, and maybe have a nice picnic. (Not littering in the place)

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