Choquequirao, called the ‘younger brother’ of Machu Picchu, is perhaps one of the most overlooked archaeological jewels of the Incas.
Perched at 3050 meters above sea level in the little-known Vilcabamba range of mountains, Choquequirao is a large archaeological site that brings out a rich feeling of history unlike any other, all within the most stunning of settings.
While every year, the famous Machu Picchu becomes more and more crowded, welcoming tourists from all over the world, Choquequirao remains relatively unexplored, and that is why it is a dream for everybody who wants to be left alone and travel.
Getting to Choquequirao is not for the fainthearted, more so due to the journey that has to be endured. It is only accessible by foot from a trail that takes almost four days, crossing around 60 kilometers of steep slopes and featuring the Apurímac Canyon. The tour starts at the tiny town of Cachora, from where you start your descent into the canyon, cross the turbulent Apurímac River, and continue to the cloud forest. It is a rough path, and the changes in altitude are quite sharp, but the view that one gets at the end of the trek is breathtaking.
When you approach the site, there are breathtaking views of the valleys and mountains with the choquequirao on top of the ridge. It is situated on an area of approximately 1,800 hectares, but only a few hectares were explored. This increases the appeal as you traverse terraces, ceremonial platforms, and temples, all the while most of which are still buried by the jungle.
Llama Terraces is one of the main attractions of Choquequirao, where there are hundreds of stone staircases, and on the walls there are carved white stone Llamas. These llamas were most probably used for ceremonial purposes, and the buildings are a clear example of the quality and skills of the Inca constructors.
Unlike many touristic places in Peru, the area is very quiet with no signs of commercialism and competition between different travel companies, which makes it possible to feel and embrace the ancient history and spirit of the Incas’ civilization.
Tourists that are interested in wildlife will also have a great time because the park is full of interesting animals and plants that are easy to spot. There is so much wildlife that freely roams the area, and the endangered Andean condor is mostly sighted in that area, flying over the site. Other animals that are found in the area include the spectacled bears, pumas, and many others, and therefore you will not regret visiting the area if you are a nature lover.
For those who are eager to further challenge themselves, it is possible to set out from Choquequirao to further travel to Machu Picchu, which is a several-day trek into the Andes. It is one of the least frequented roads and the one where you can enjoy history, nature, and adrenaline all at once.
All in all, this is the only Incan city that can be visited without having to face massive crowds of tourists, combined with the excitement of a physically demanding hike through a breath-taking landscape in the heart of southern Peru.
Mark