Choquequirao, The Other Machu Picchu

Choquequirao, The Other Machu Picchu, Aracari Travel

Choquequirao is a rarely-visited Incan site, accessible only on foot some 3,085m up in the Salkantay Mountain Range. A ‘lost city of the Incas’ and ‘sister’ city to Machu Picchu, Choquequirao was ignored completely by the chroniclers of the age, because – as independent archaeologist Gary Ziegler said to the New York Times earlier this year-  “the Spanish never found it.”

Trekking to Choquequirao

At Aracari we offer a five day trek through the Choquequirao area. This is a tough trek hiking down into the canyon of the Apurimac river and up again. Here you reach the Inca ruins of Choquequirao, as extensive as Machu Picchu, but one that only recently has become known. It is a tough, off the beaten path destination. An average of 6 hours trek per day with one day rest to visit the site. See the trek itinerary.

ABOUT CHOQUEQUIRAO

Meaning ¨Cradle of Gold¨ in Quechua, Choquequirao is believed to be where the last Inca rulers fled following the loss of the city of Cusco to the Spanish during the conquest. Read more about the history and discovery of Choquequirao.

The ruins were first visited and described to the western world by a French explorer during the 18th century. Hiram Bingham also visited the site in 1910, prior to his rediscovery of Machu Picchu in 1911.

Read more about Peru Luxury trekking options with Aracari.

Related Post
Train from Lima to Huancayo Through the Heart of the Andes Lima by train Traveling by train has not lost its romance in Peru as the well-known scenic train rides to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca continue to ...
Huaca Pucllana in the Heart of Lima It was during a walking tour of the neighborhood of Los Olivos in Lima that I encountered my first huaca. I stood behind a row of houses on a patch of...
Wonders of Chinchero Trek Nestled into the stunning mountains and highlands of Peru's Sacred Valley is the town of Chinchero - well-known for its historic ruins and iconic weav...
Hike to Laguna 69 in the Cordillera Blanca This was my first hiking trip in Peru, and what a place to start! The hike to Laguna 69 was one of the top on my peru adventure travel bucket-list. Th...
The Best Easter Celebrations in Peru Aracari is well versed in understanding Peru’s yearly calendar scattered with celebrations, and the Easter period is no exception. In fact, the days o...
The natural wellness remedies of Peru Last month, we shared with you an exclusive preview of our brand-new wellness itinerary. The details of this unique wellness experience have been craf...