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CHOQUEQUIRAO USEFUL
INFORMATION
Choquequirao (Southern Quechua: Chuqi K'iraw, Cradle
of Gold) is a partly excavated ruined city of the Inca
in the south of Peru. It bears a striking similarity in
structure and architecture to Machu Picchu and is
referred to as its 'sister'.
Choquequirao receives far
fewer tourists than its sister but the ruin is no less
delightful and is a good alternative to the sometimes
overcrowded Machu Picchu.
The ruins
at Choquequirao are comprised of buildings and terraces
at different levels from the lower level Sunch'u Pata to
the truncated hill top. The hill top has been leveled
and ringed with stones to form a platform of 30x50
meters wide.
Choquequirao (3,085 m) is situated amongst the spurs of
the Salkantay Mountain Range in the Province La
Convención in the Region Cusco above the Valley of the
river Río Apurímac. The entire complex encompasses 1,800
hectares of which 30-40% is uncovered.
The site
was most likely built during the reign of the Inca king
Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui and is considered to be the last
bastion of resistance and refuge of the Sons of the Sun
who fled from the city of Cusco when it was under siege
in 1535. Led by Manco Inca Yupanqui they took refuge in
Choquequirao.
Presumably
it was used as a check point for access to the
Vilcabamba Area and as a cultural and religious center
for the region. The city also played an important role
as a link between the Amazon Jungle and the city of
Cusco.
The
typical Inca terraces form the largest constructions on
site. A temple, some administrative buildings and the
living quarters of the aristocrats are situated around
the central square. On the outskirts of the site lie the
living quarters of the common people grouped together in
a small village. There are numerous water channels,
aqueducts and water springs. Most of the buildings are
well-preserved and well-restored. Restoration is still
continuing.
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Choquequirao 4 days
