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Choquequirao Trek. The most challenging trail in the Andes, considered by many international magazines, Choquequirao, translated into Spanish means 🙁 “cradle of gold”), the Inca city located between the foothills of the snowy Salkantay, belonging to the jurisdiction of the Santa Teresa district , the province of the convention – Cusco
The Choquequirao archaeological complex is made up of several buildings and platforms distributed on different levels, from the lowest level Sunch’u Pata to the highest circular peak, which was leveled and fenced with slabs, to form a platform with an approximate area 150 square meters
Choquequirao, is also known as the “sacred sister” of Machu Picchu for the similarity in location and architectural structure. Partially excavated, it has aroused great interest from the Peruvian government to further recover the archaeological complex. The initiative is to turn it into an accessible alternative for tourists, locals and adventure-loving foreigners. Choquequirao Trek best trek in the Andes.
CHOQUEQUIRAO IN THE HISTORY: INCA PERIOD (1438-1534)
It was a city, cultural as well as religious in the region. This citadel was used as a checkpoint to ensure access to the Vilcabamba and Machu Picchu areas, which connected the jungle to other important centers. It is also estimated that the citadel played an important role, serving as a midpoint between the Amazon jungle, the city of Cusco and the coast of Peru.
TRANSITIONAL TIME (1534-1572)
The City of Choquequirao is considered one of the last strongholds of resistance and refuge of the Incas, who by orders of the last Inca (Manco Inca), left the city of Cusco to take shelter in the cities of the Vilcabamba region, around the year 1535 , the city of Cusco was invaded by the Spanish. It was in this place where Manco Inca and the other Incas of Vilcabamba resisted the attacks of the Spanish
REFERENCES IN THE COLONIAL TIME
The first explorer who gave news of a citadel called “Chuquiquirao” was the Spanish explorer Juan Arias Díaz Topete in the year 1710. The first written reference to Choquequirao dates from the year 1768 and its author was Cosme Bueno, however, the documentation was set aside and thrown into oblivion by the authorities and the general public. In 1790, Pablo José Origaín mentions in his “Compendium of Geographic News of Cuzco” a city depopulated since ancient times with the name of Choquequirau.
REDISCOVERY AND RESTORATION
In 1834, José María Tejada (prefect of Cusco) traveled to the citadel attracted by the legends about treasures in Vilcabamba; likewise in 1837, Leonce Angrand mapped the place for the first time, but his maps were also forgotten. It was not until 1909, the year that archaeologist Hiram Bingham and surveyor Clarence Hay (both North Americans) visited Choquequirao and produced a detailed description of the site, that the citadel gained greater attention from archaeologists, the government, and tourists. The first excavations began several decades after Bingham’s visit, around 1970; likewise in 1986 intensive studies and a restoration plan of the site are made. Currently, it is estimated that only 30% of the complex, which comprises some 1,810 hectares, has been unearthed and put into operation as a tourist area; The restoration was expected to be completed in 2011, taking further study and understanding of its historical legacy.
ACCESS FORMS
Choquequirao Trek, The main access to the complex is by land, the only way to reach the Choquequirao citadel. The best known route is the asphalt road from Cusco- Limatambo-Curawasi – Cachora- Capuliyoc. The round trip can be done in 4 or 5 days. It is also possible to access through other neighboring towns, however, the route can be a little more rugged.
CLIMATE OF CHOQUEQUIRAO.
Due to its location and height, Choquequirao enjoys a temperate climate. However, along the way to Chocoquirao it is warm and dry, due to the Apurímac Canyon and the immense walls of solid rock mountains. The temperature during the day is approximately 25 ° C and at night it drops to 15 ° C.
