Choquequirao

About Choquequirao

The Choquequirao Archaeological Complex is located on the abrupt slopes of the Apurimac River Canyon, on a spur of the snowy Qorihuayrachina, and corresponds to an Inca site that saw its apogee in the late fifteenth century.

The reasons of its construction are unknown: its promising nickname, "Cradle of Gold", together with the ill-founded belief that Choquequirao was the last city of the Incas, fired the fantasies of dozens of explorers and treasure hunters who only could find some enigmatic ruins, an inheritance of the ancient inhabitants and their ancestral cults.

So large and scattered, it is not easy to fully appreciate it; every corner have to be reached and watched carefully. Choquequirao, with its charming details, is a continuous surprise and perhaps the place "hurin", well known by the photo that is commonly used to identify Choquequirao, is the most tasteless place of the whole complex.

Remember that the archaeological site of Choquequirao needs a whole day to be visited; organize your trip with enough time for the visit.

At the moment, you can reach Choquequirao only through a demanding trekking which requires good physical condition and resistance to walking; proper preparation and skills are required and recommended.

Entrance ticket to Choquequirao is sold by the Ministry of Culture (adults S/.60 – students S/. 30); you can buy it at “Sunchupata” checkpoint coming through Cachora, or in the same campsite of Choquequirao, coming through Huanipaca. Bring cash, no ATM’s.