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Choquequirao (from Aymara chuqi, gold, and from Quechua k'iraw, cradle, that is to say: "cradle of gold"), [1] are the ruins of an Inca city located between the foothills of the Nevado Salcantay, in southern Peru. The archaeological remains of Choquequirao are made up of buildings and terraces distributed at different levels, from the lowest Sunch'u Pata level to the highest truncated peak, which was leveled and fenced with stones to form a platform with an area of ​​approximately 150 square meter.



Choquequirao (sometimes also referred to as Choqequirau or Choquekiraw) is known as the "sacred sister" of Machu Picchu for its structural and architectural similarity to it. [2] Recently, being partially excavated, it has aroused the interest of the Peruvian government to recover the complex even more and turn it into a more accessible alternative for tourists interested in learning more about the Inca culture. [3



It is located at 13 ° 32 'south latitude and 72 ° 44' west longitude. It is located at 3,033 meters above sea level in the foothills of the Nevado Salcantay, north of the Apurímac river valley, in the province of La Convencion in the department of Cusco



Some archaeologists point out that the citadel was probably built during the administration of the Inca Pachacútec on a par with Machu Picchu in the 15th century; However, others affirm that its construction was after Pachacútec, being during the government of Túpac Yupanqui or even of Huayna Cápac that this complex was built. It was both a cultural and religious center for the region. Presumably this citadel was used as a checkpoint to ensure access to the Vilcabamba areas, which connected the jungle with other important centers such as Písac and Machu Picchu. It is also estimated that the citadel played an important role serving as a link between the Amazon jungle and the imperial city of Cusco.

The journey begins in Cachora (2,800 masl), a small town in the department of Apurímac which is reached, having left Cusco, after four hours of good road (145 km paved and 10 km affirmed). It is there that the mule drivers are contacted, who also act as guides. A local family offers lodging and the only telephone in the town. Approximately 40% of the Inca ceremonial center of Choquequirao is free of vegetation. The remaining area is made up of a complex system of platforms built on extremely steep slopes. Recently an impressive staircase of 180 platforms has been located that, descending from one of the flanks of the ceremonial center, reaches the river, where it is possible to swim.



Choquequirao was possibly one of the entry control points to the Vilcabamba region, and as such an administrative nucleus with political, social and economic functions. In its urban conception, it followed the symbolic patterns of the imperial capital with places of worship dedicated to the Sun, the ancestors, the earth, water and other divinities, royal residences, houses of administrators and artisans, warehouses, large dormitory buildings. or kallancas and agricultural terraces of the Inca and the people. The ceremonial area extends over 700 meters, with a difference in level of up to 65 meters between the main square and the highest parts.

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