Choquequirao, the "sacred sister" of Machu Picchu

Peru is a destination that always has something to offer. This is the case of Archaeological complex of Choqueuirao, also known as the "sacred sister" of Machu Picchu, because of the architectural similarities that exist between the two places. The old town is 169 km from Cusco and is an excellent proposal because of its natural environment, history and the few tourists who visit it.

In Quechua, Choqueuirao means "cradle of gold" and in the Inca worldview, "where the sacred is born". It is believed that the Incas believed that this place was close to the gods, since it is located at the top of a mountain, more than three thousand meters above sea level. For this city the mountains were sacred, which is why they built their most important cities.

Because of its location, this lost city in the jungle is considered an important religious, commercial and cultural center of the region, where lived between 8,000 and 10,000 people. It has buildings, terraces, platforms, ceremonial squares, temples, depots, cbads connected by long staircases and an extensive network of roads, all built with Inca architectural imprint., manufactured without destroying the natural environment.

How to arrive

The experience begins in Cusco, with a trip that can last four or five days, depending on the physical condition of the visitor. From the city, you will need to take a bus to get to the city of San Pedro de Cachora., a colonial place practically raised in adobe where live only 3 000 inhabitants. It was born a road of about 31 kilometers that leads to Choquequirao.

Once in Cachora, you have to walk for two hours up to the town of Capulliyoc, located at over 2,900 meters altitude. From there, a nine-hour road descends to Rosalinda Beach, on the left bank of the Apurimac River.

After a break, you must cross the river by a bridge and walk for three hours to get to Santa Rosa. From here to Marampata, there are only two hours left, but it will be the most complicated of all because of the relief and the high temperatures. Once you arrive at the Choquequirao gate, the path becomes easier. The ancient city is located at 3,100 meters altitude and has an immediate impact on visitors by its extensive extension.

One last walk

Las Llamas del Sol is a characteristic point of view of the placewhich can be reached in about 45 minutes by steep stairs that cross the platforms of culture. From the point of view, you can see 24 llamas – sacred animals for the Incas – carved into the stones of the terraces. The most interesting thing is that they all turn to the north.

The landscape of the area crosses inter-Andean valleys, canyons up to 2,000 meters altitude, jungle and subtropical Andean vegetation. Unlike other routes, this allows the observation of native animals and medicinal plants. The effort on this path is compensated by a trip that combines the natural diversity of Cusco with the mysteries and complexity of a thousand-year-old culture.

tags:
Peru
Cusco
Incas
Choquequirao