One of the best-known options to get to Choquequirao is the route from Cusco – Urubamba – Ollantaytambo – Huayopata – Santa María (200 km), from there take the Santa María – Santa Teresa highway (17 km), passing the Santa carriageway trail Teresa – Sahuayaco – Totora – Yanama (70 km).
To then take the pedestrian path from Yanama – Maizal – Rio Blanco Perú – Pinchaunuyoc Ruins – Choquequirao. This route is the longest and can take between 4 to 5 days.
Leaving Choquequirao and following the Rio Blanco Perú through the Victoria hill, is the site called Pichaunuyoc, continuing along the Yanama river is also the Qoriwayrachina center and where Cotacoca is also located, and which are connection points towards Vitcos and Vilcabamba.
On the third day of walking, we must face a demanding climb to Rio Blanco Perú (approximately 3 hours) where there is a break for lunch. Río Blanco is located at 1,900 masl (6,233 ft).
Then the walk continues to the Maizal sector, where you camp and have dinner.
The Choquequirao trek takes you to what some people call “the sacred sister of Machu Picchu” in Peru, it is believed that the city was larger than the Machu Picchu citadel and that currently only 35% have been unearthed of its entirety. Between mountains and clouds stands another great “wonder” of ancient civilizations, in Choquequirao you can see the remains of the civilizations that preceded the Incas, a mix of architecture and culture that is currently visible in the citadel of Choquequirao.
The Choquequirao archaeological site is known as ‘The Sacred Sister of Machu Picchu’ because of the similarity between both Inca sites. Currently, the only way to get to this place is through a 4-day trekking route.
Choquequirao is a Quechua word that means ‘Cradle of Gold’. The name comes from the nomination of a hill near the archaeological site.
Choquequirao is located in one of the fringes of the snowy Salkantay, north of the Apurímac River. It is currently located in the Santa Teresa district, La Convencion province, Cusco department, Peru.
Choquequirao is located 3,033 meters above sea level (m.s.n.m.). Due to its location, it is presumed that this Inca site served as a checkpoint between the main Inca sites such as Pisac, Cusco and Machu Picchu.
Choquequirao has only been excavated by 30%. Despite this, it already has several very important Inca buildings:
The only way to get to Choquequirao is by land. Currently, the main route is going to the town of Cachora (2,903 masl), 3 or 4 hours by road from the city of Cusco (2 hours from the city of Abancay).
The most usual way to get to Choquequirao is through the Choquequirao Trek 4 Days, or the Choquequirao Trek 5 Days. You can hire this tour online or directly from an agency in the city of Cusco.
The other tour is the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek in 8 days and 7 nights. In total, 115 kilometers of history and adventure are covered.
The tour to Choquequirao in 4 days and 3 nights is like this:
The Choquequirao archaeological site is located at 3,033 meters above sea level. The climate is temperate with cold at night. However, the tourist will not stay in the Inca complex until after sunset.
However, the path leading to the top of Choquequirao is hot due to the proximity of the Apurímac canyon. The temperature at the archaeological site is calculated to vary between 5º C and 25º C.
Choquequirao is home to a diversity of animals and birds such as the condor, foxes, vizcachas, cougars, hummingbirds, spectacled bears and the cock of the rocks.In addition, like Machu Picchu, a great variety of orchids are concentrated there.
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