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Choquequirao, basic information – CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK TO MACHU PICCHU

11 June, 2020 cuscodestination Leave a comment

What does Choquequirao mean?
Choquequirao is a Quechua word that means ‘Cradle of Gold’. The name comes from the nomination of a hill near the archaeological site.

Where it is located?
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.

How high is it?

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.

What’s in Choquequirao?
Choquequirao has only been excavated by 30%. Despite this, it already has several very important Inca buildings:

Main square – The main square or Huaqaypata divided the enclosure into two. It is a two-story stone construction. Along with this, there are other buildings connected to each other.
Colcas – Typical constructions of the main Inca centers. In Choquequirao, these platforms have internal subdivisions. The purpose of these warehouses was to store products for food, clothing and others.
Platforms – Choquequirao has a significant number of platforms for cultivation. In the western sector there are 22 engravings in the form of a flame arranged on 15 platforms. These figures are known as the ‘Flames of the Sun’.
Housing – In the highest part of Choquequirao, there are up to 5 buildings whose purpose was probably housing for the priests of the compound. This Inca site is believed to have been an important ceremonial center.
Inca Cemetery – Also known as the ‘Triumphal Wall’. There were found 17 funeral bundles and a water trough called “The House of the Fall of Water”.
Kallankas – These rectangular buildings had multiple functions such as workshop, administrative center, meeting space, etc. In Choquequirao there are 2 Kallankas on whose walls there were gutters that supplied water.
Ushnu – This oval platform construction sits on top of a hill. Due to the wall that surrounds it and the privileged view of the snow-capped mountains, the river and the entire enclosure; it is believed to have had a religious purpose.

CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 7 DAYS

Day 1: CUSCO – CACHORA – COCAMASANA – PLAYA ROSALINA.

We will pick you up at your hotel in a private bus. We start from Cusco, then we go to the town of Cachora (3100 masl), here we find the carriers and support staff, in Cachora we’ll start our walk, after 2 hours of walking we reach Capuliyoc (2915 m) from there we’ll have a beautiful view of the snowy peaks Padrayoc, Wayna Cachora and the Apurimac valley. Then we’ll descend toward Coca Masana (2330m) where the climate becomes warmer and the flora and fauna begin to change. Finally we reach the Rosalina beach (1550m) located on the bank of the Apurimac River where we will have dinner and spend the night.

– Meals: Lunch, Dinner
– Acomodación: Camp, Playa Rosalina 1550 msnm
– Climate : warm and sunny
– Distance Travelled: Approximately 12km
– Hiking time : 6 hour

Day 2: PLAYA ROSALINA – CHOQUEQUIRAO.

This day is the hardest of the five days, we will get up very early. After breakfast, we begin our trek by a steep road for about 5 hours until we reach Raqaypata where we will have lunch. Throughout the walk we will observe many orchids and wild flowers, many birds. From Raqaypata we’ll walk for about two hours to the archaeological site of Choquequirao and there we will observe the sunset and the flight of the condor. Our campsite will be installed outside the ruins.

– Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
– Acomodación: Camp, Choquekiraw 3100 msnm
– Climate : warm and cold at night
– Distance Travelled: Approximately 14km
– Hiking time : 7 hour

Day 3: CHOQUEQUIRAO – PINCHINUYOC

After breakfast. We dedicate this mornig to explore the ruins of Choquequirao, and have a little rest before lunch. In the afternoon we begin our trek by a steep road for about 2 hours until we reach Pinchinuyoc where we will camp for the night. This is definitely the easiest day of the trip

– Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
– Acomodación: Camp, Pinchinuyoc 2100msnm.
– Climate : warm, windy and cold at night
– Distance Travelled: Approximately 12km
– Hiking time : 8 hour

Day 4: PINCHINUYOC – RIO BLANCO – MAIZAL.

After breakfast, we will hike down hill for 2 hours and arrive at the canyon of the Rio Blanco (1990 m / 6527 feet), where you can dip your feet in the cool waters. where we have a rest before starting a difficult climb to our campsite of Maizal (2100 m / 6889 f.) The climb is 3- 4 hours long. Este es probablemente el día más difícil del viaje, pero si se ha preparado bien y está decidido, tendrá éxito. Y la cerveza fría a su llegada sabrá aún mejor.

– Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
– Climate : warm and hummed
– Acomodación: Camp, Maizal 2100 msnm.
– Distance Travelled: Approximately 17km
– Hiking time : 8 hour

Day 5: MAIZAL – YANAMA – DRIVE TO LUCMABAMBA

After our breakfast, we will begin our trek of about 3 hours approximately until we reach the old Victoria mine, then we will walk uphill until we reach Victoria pass (4130mt / 13,546 ft). There are spectacular views from the pass as we descend to the charming village of Yanama (about 2 hours walk) following a section with some well constructed inca trail.
here we take the local transport all the way to Lucmabamba. Along the way, we get to enjoy the gorgeous views of snow-capped mountains and wáterfalls.

– Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
– Climate : cold and windy
– Acomodación: Camp, Lucmabamba 1900msnm.
– Distance Travelled: Approximately 20 km
– Hiking time : 9 hour

Day 6: LUCMABAMBA – LLACTAPATA – AGUAS CALIENTES

Your final day of hiking: On this day we well hike for 3 hours by a Inca trail spectacular up through lush coffee and tropical fruit plantations, into pristine cloud forest, until reaching the Inca remains of Llactapata (2,700 m / 8,907 ft). The view across of Machu Picchu is magnificent. Few tourists have ever seen it from this side.
Then we hike downhill for 2 hours to the hydroelectric plant where we have lunch. From here you have two choice. Either wait for the short but spectacular train ride (no included), or hike two to three hours along the rail track to the tourist town of Machu Picchu Pueblo and your hostel for the night.

– Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
– Climate : cold
– Acomodación: Hostel, Aguas Calientes 1650msnm.
– Distance Travelled: Approximately 9 km
– Hiking time : 4 hour

Day 7: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

After an early breakfast at the hotel, we walk uphill to Machu Picchu at 5:00 am. or take the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (Optional bus $16 each way), upon arrival at the Citadel we can appreciate the enigmatic beauty and the incomparable example of architectural perfection and hydraulics of one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, we will have a guided tour of about 2 hours, where we can appreciate the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, Intihuatana, The Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Cemetery, you are then given free time to stroll around the citadel . You will have all morning in Machu Picchu to take pictures, maybe to climb the Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, enjoy this mystical place. Then we´ll descend by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then calmly return by train to Ollantaytambo where our tourist transport to the city of Cusco will be expecting us, and will later transfer you to your hotel.
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
Climb up Huayna Picchu and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there (We recommend that you book in advance) Not Included
Climb Machu Picchu Mountain and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there (We recommend that you book in advance) Not Included
Visit the new local museum or the hot springs in Aguas Calientes later in the day. Not Included

– Meals: Breakfast
– Tour: 2 hour guided tour of Machu Picchu

CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK TO MACHU PICCHU 8 DAYS

Day 1: CUSCO – CACHORA – COCAMASANA – PLAYA ROSALINA.

– Meals: Lunch, Dinner
– Acomodación: Camp, Playa Rosalina 1550 msnm
– Climate : warm and sunny
– Distance Travelled: Approximately 12km
– Hiking time : 6 hour

Day 2: PLAYA ROSALINA – CHOQUEQUIRAO.

Day 3: CHOQUEQUIRAO – MAIZAL

After breakfast. We dedicate this mornig to explore the Choquequirao, and then start our trek passing for Choquequirao Ruins, uphill through cloud forest, Mountains and valleys to reach the Choquequirao pass. There will observe different species of birds, different varieties of orchids, and local coca plantations. then we will continue our trek until we reach the Blanco river where we will have lunch and you can dip your feet in the cool waters, we have a rest before starting a difficult climb to our campsite of Maizal (3000 m / 9842 f.) The climb is 3- 4 hours long.

– Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
– Acomodación: Camp, Maizal 3000msnm.
– Climate : warm, windy and cold at night
– Distance Travelled: Approximately 18km
– Hiking time : 8 hour

Day 4: MAIZAL – YANAMA.

Due to the ecosystem’s constant changes, this day is both the most ardous and the most spectacular one. After breakfast, we will begin our walk where you can enjoy the view of the beautiful landscape. Since the Inca trail in this region is not in good conditions during the rainy season, we ask you to watch your steps carefully. In San Juan (4170m/13681f) we will enjoy the beautiful view of the valleys, the mountains and the glaciers, from which some of the latter peak more than 5000m/16404f. Our camping place will be in the little village of Yanama (3530m/11581f).

– Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
– Climate : warm and hummed
– Acomodación: Camp, Yanama 3530 msnm.
– Distance Travelled: Approximately 17km
– Hiking time : 8 hour

Day 5: YANAMA – TOTORA

Early in the morning, we will head for the highest pass of this trip – Yanama (4670m). If we are lucky we will even see a condor flying. During the day, we will enjoy frequently the view of snow capped mountains such as Salkantay (6264m) and Pintuyu (5450m). Our camping place will be in the valley of Totora pampa (3100m).

– Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
– Climate : cold and windy
– Acomodación: Camp, Totora 3100 msnm.
– Distance Travelled: Approximately 20 km
– Hiking time : 9 hour

Day 6: TOTORA – PLAYA – SANTA TERESA

At Totora pampa we will get the chance to meet Quechua-speaking Andean people who live from agriculture and cattle breeding. The vegetation on our way gets more and more bizarre and reveals its diversity of orchids, bromelains and other plants. We will also see some plantations for coffee, papaya, passion fruit and avocado. Our camping site will be in La Playa (2100m/6890f) or in Santa Teres (1600m/5249f). Note: According to the group’s whishes, it is possible to change the itinerary a bit and visit the hot springs in Santa Teresa this day.

– Meals: Breakfast,
– Climate : warm
– Acomodación: Camp, Santa Teresa 1600msnm.
– Distance Travelled: Approximately 18 km
– Hiking time : 10 hour

Day 7: SANTA TERESA – AGUAS CALIENTES

The last breakfast with our crew, after drive to hydroelectric 40 min where is the start point for hike to Aguas Calientes 3 hours, on the trail is clear to appreciate a lot type of orchid and birds, the big scenery is the view to Machu Picchu city is situated dense a bizarre vegetation and offers an exceptional view of the mountain Machu Picchu, for sick or tired kickers optional train service (US $ 18.00) there we will spend the night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.

– Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
– Climate : warm
– Acomodación: Hostel, Aguas Calientes 2050msnm.
– Distance Travelled: Approximately 9 km
– Hiking time : 4 hour

Day 8: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

– Meals: Breakfast
– Tour: 2 hour guided tour of Machu Picchu

Useful information on Choquequirao, the other lost city of the Incas

2 April, 2020 cuscodestination Leave a comment

Choquequirao known as the sacred sister of Machu Picchu because it has a structural and architectural similarity, archaeological monuments are made up of terraces distributed on different levels which were leveled and fenced with stones to form a platform with an approximate area of 150 square meters.

CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK INFORMATION

Location

The Choquequirao ruins are located at 13 ° 32 ’latitude and 77 ° 44’ west longitude, it is located at 3033 masl in the mountains of the snowy Salkantay north of the Apurímac river in the district of Santa Teresa province of the department of Cusco.

How to get

Currently to reach the last Inca fortress is the land route, the best known route of how to get to Choquequirao is by taking the road to Abancay, and at km 154 choose the detour that will direct you to the town of Cachora.

The route to Choquequirao has narrow paths which must be walked very carefully, also have a good physical condition and the proper equipment for this trek.

Weather

Due to its height, Choquequirao enjoys a temperate climate. However, it should be noted that the Choquequirao path is warm due to the Apurímac canyon.

Description

Choquequirao (comes from the Aymara words chuqui, gold, and from Quechua k’iraw, cradle, that is to say: “cradle of gold”), is another of the archaeological zones also known as the Inca citadel, it is located between the ramifications of the Nevado de Salcantay, southern Peru. These archaeological remains of Choquequirao are made up of a set of buildings and terraces distributed on different levels, from the lower Sunch’u Pata level to the highest truncated summit, which was leveled and fenced with stones to form a platform with an area approximately 150 square meters.

Choquequirao (sometimes also referred to as Choqequirau or Choquekiraw), is also known as the “sacred sister” of Machu Picchu for the structural and architectural similarities presented with it. Well, not too long ago it became known about this majestic place, thus awakening the interest of many tourists and researchers.

Biodiversity

The environment of Choquequirao is one of the richest in biodiversity, biologists, ecologists and experts mention this, however in this area, the number of species of plants and animals that exist is not known exactly, despite this deficiency and From the few scientific studies carried out, it has been possible to determine the existence of various life forms.

Among the most relevant species are: the condor, the fox, the skunk, the puma, the spectacled bear, the taruca, the vizcachas, the pica pica, the tall toucan, the quetzales and the tigrillos. All these species have been conditioned despite the temperature variations such as the sun throughout the day and the inclement frosts at night. This space can also be seen to the cock of the rocks, Peru’s national bird.

The flora of the place is made up of giant ferns and a great variety of orchids, where the wakanki variety stands out. At the bottom of the great valley and under the thermal effect of the water course that runs through it, the forests of the mountain eyebrow provide their warmth and ideal conditions for a huge variety of crops of coca, annatto, corn, cocoa, coffee and fruit trees.

From the environmental point of view, the main value of these presented ecosystems resides in the role played by the exuberant forests that grow in the high parts of the mountains for the maintenance of the water balance of the region, capturing the rainwater and leading it without causing erosion towards the Apurimac River. MORE INFORMATION OF CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK TO MACHU PICCHU

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Choquequirao Archaeological Site and its twelve sectors

12 March, 2020 cuscodestination Leave a comment

Sectors of Choquequirao

In sector I, the sector of the plaza and temple, hanan area, located to the north and which is the highest part, there are five floor buildings, located on terraces of different levels. It is possible that they served as the residence of the priests. Higher up, there is another smaller plaza where two warehouse buildings (qolqas) and three other long residential buildings are located.

(kallankas). A wall with a main channel of water collected from the Ch’unchumayo stream also enters here, supplying the archaeological site and descending, like a spinal column, organizing the arrangement of the buildings.

In sector II, hanan zone, there are the deposits or qolqampatas divided into warehouses with internal subdivisions with quincha partitions; in another space, within this subsector, there are small ceremonial platforms (16 platforms), crossed by an alternate channel that takes advantage of the waters of the main channel.

CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK INFORMATION.

Sector III, which appears to be the main square or Hauqaypata, is located between the upper (hanan) and lower (hurin) sectors, on the filling of a platform. On the extreme sides of this square there are buildings with one and two levels. In the north there is a kallanka (building) for ceremonial use — Sunturwasi — with low niches (kind of chapels); To the east are two-story buildings with walls that support gabled roofs. They have two facades, one for entering the main plaza and the other that leads to a patio with side accesses. Access to these buildings is through double jamb covers (a double frame). These buildings are separated by a corridor, which highlights the largest building (kallanka) in the city that goes to the side of the backyard and that leaves through a wall to the south side, which is where the platforms in the north sector are located. of the city or llacta.

Sector IV, located in the Hurin or south zone, is a main construction made up of five covers called by Sartiges “triumphal wall” and by Samanez and Zapata “wall of offerings to the ancestors”. The other four, probably, were for ceremonial use and would correspond to an open temple. Behind these covers is a field, where you enter a second level, which is above the covers.

Sector V is the ushnu: a hill cut at its top that forms a ceremonial oval platform and surrounded by a small wall as a fence, which is entered by an entrance that first rises by steps and from where you can see the main square and hanan site. From this place the snow-capped mountains and the Apurímac river are visible.

Sector VI is the Wasi Cancha, located south of the ushnu in the lower part; It is also known as a temple and home of priests. A space of four platforms with zigzag walls is observed, which was used as a ceremonial space. In the first wall it is finished off with a source for water, and the other platforms are accessed with stairs. Below this area of worship you can see a field or space with two enclosures of one and a half floors enclosed by a perimeter wall; from here you can see a good part of the Apurímac river canyon.

Sector VII belongs to the cultivation platforms on the east side. It stands out from the rest, for being wide and wide platforms. It can be entered through walkways from the main square.

The discovery was made in September 2004 within the framework of the «Cadastre and Delimitation (…)
Sector VIII is an area of cultivation platforms, located on the west side, with eighty platforms, divided into plots and water channels that descend from the main square. Here were the famous “Llamas del Sol”

The ceramic remains show a multi-ethnic presence of the llacta (even though there has been int (…)
Sector IX is made up of popular houses, also called Pikiwasi, and is where one of the water channels ends. The houses seem to have been for collective and family use, built on artificial platforms, rectangular, square and circular in design, communicating by means of stairs and narrow passageways.

Sector X is made up of the cultivation platforms, the Paraqtepata, made up of 18 platforms and irrigation channels parallel to the stairs.
Sector XI also has cultivation platforms, the Phaqchayoq, made up of 80 wide platforms, the largest of the entire complex and located on the right bank of the Ch’unchumayo stream. There are also small quadrilateral enclosures in the middle of the plots with two-level enclosures, both for ceremonial use and for housing, with three sources for water and irrigation channels.
Sector XII presents cultivation platforms three hours away from Hanan Square, and is made up of 57 platforms with permanent irrigation. In the upper part there are buildings for ceremonial use that occupy the entire width of the platform, a spring pool, a semicircular enclosure where ceramic remains, stone tools and bone remains were found.

MORE INFORMATION OF CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK

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Choquequirao archaeological complex – Cusco – Peru

12 March, 2020 cuscodestination Leave a comment

It is an Inca urban construction, which archaeological studies may be better specifying in the future, as its architectural structure and functions are analyzed. Only archaeologists will determine if there is material evidence with greater antiquity in the same location.56 In a general sense, the Andean populated centers especially Inca also called liadas, are characterized by being fixed according to a distribution pattern: square; a number of large, elongated and rectangular buildings called kallankas; deposits or collqas; platforms or ushnu cradle in their squares for the cult of the Sun and probably to carry the agricultural calendar with more precision (Thompson 1972: 78; cf. also Ayme Carrasco 2003: 237-38, 250-53). According to ethnohistorians, these populated centers followed the model of the city of Cusco, where the ritual and ceremonial spaces had the solar temple, royal apartments and, what we could call, a civil administrative part: prisons, acllahuasis, warehouses (Espinoza 1997b : 362; cf. also Rostworowski 2004: 173). However, it cannot be asserted that there was a general and constant pattern for all urban settlements, Choquequirao is also a good example of the adaptation in a steep and high terrain of a llacta that conserves the fundamental elements, but adequate to a certain area of construction. INFORMATION OF CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK

The urban layout, as seen by archaeologists, follows the dual Andean pattern. There is a high sector: hanan, and another low part, hurin. In this regard, archaeologists Roberto Samanez and Julinho Zapata point out:

When studying the distribution of functions in Choquequirao, a dual organization is perceived, very widespread, which creates a high sector and another low part or Hurin. It has been established that the High Sector is the one occupied by the buildings in the extreme North, and the Low sector is the one next to the main square where ceremonial buildings are located, the three two-level buildings and the two Kallankas. (Samanez and Zapata 1999: 90)

Choquequirao is built following a north-south axis with a drop of 65 meters in height between the first and second planes. Each plan has three groups of constructions that are distributed following the topographic disposition of the terrain. The central area of the complex, probably ceremonial, is 700 meters long.