Choquequirao
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Choquequirao (Quechua: Choqek'iraw) 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 admits far fewer tourists than its sister but the ruin is no less delightful and is a good alternative to the 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.
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[edit] Location
Choquequirao (3085m) 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 1800 hectares of which 30-40% is uncovered.
[edit] History
The site was most likely built during the reign of the Inca king Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui or Pachacutec 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 or Manco Qhapac II 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 roll as link between the Amazon Jungle and the city of Cusco
[edit] Lay-out
The typical incan terraces form the largest constructions on site. An 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, aquaducts en water springs. Most of the building are well-preserved and well-restored. Restoration is still continuing.
[edit] Discovery
The first written reference to the site dates back to 1768 and was made by Cosme Bueno, but was ignored for the time being. In 1834 Eugene de Santiges rediscovered the site. In 1837 Leonce Agrand mapped the site for the first time, but his maps were soon forgotten. When Hiram Bingham, the discoverer of Machu Picchu, visited Choquequirao in 1909 the site gained more attention. The first excavations started some decades later in the 1970's.
[edit] Getting There
Several guide companies offer tours to Choquequirao, but it is possible to visit the site on your own. The easiest way to reach the site is from the village Cachora. Be aware though that it takes a strenuous two-day hike from Cachora to reach the ruins. The site is approximately 30 KM from Cachora along a well-defined trail that plunges steeply into a gorge of the Río Apurímac and then back up the far side. There are several primitive campsites along the way.
The nearest cities are Cusco and Abancay which can both be reached from Cachora by car in about four hours. There is bus service from Cusco to the road high above Cachora, but not directly into the town itself. There are no real services in town for the traveler.
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