Choquequirao Trek Introduction

Choquequirao Trek Introduction: The Incas built  an especial trail to the region of Choquequirao in Cusco (Peru), which was unknown by the modern world until 1909, when the American Mr. Hiram Bingham discovered this region; since that time, many specialists have visited and made important studies. The Incas built a highly advanced network of nearly 45,000 thousand kilometers of trails to connect the distant corners of their vast empire that stretched from Quito in Ecuador down to Santiago in Chile and east to Mendoza in Argentina. Cusco was at the heart of this great Inca Empire. Almost all of the principal trails in the mountains surrounding Cusco were built or improved upon by the Incas. However, a particularly beautiful 50km section of mountain trail connecting the village of Cachora, the Apurimac Canyon and Choquequirao, considered as the last retreat of the Incas.

Choquequirao has become popular with trekkers in the last 20 years and has become known as the «Trekking to Choquequirao» or Choquequirao Classic Trek. The access to this section of Inca Trail is not limited for now but, it is controlled and only authorized trekking companies are allowed to sell this trek. Choquequirao Classic Trek’s bio-diversity land is an incomparable blend of high mountains, spectacular scenery and rich cultures is not exceeded to the road connection with the big cities due to remoteness. It is only possible to explore them by walking through caravan trails. It means trekking. One can walk along the beaten trails or virgin tracks. Either way, you are in for an experience for a lifetime. Along with dense forest of, isolated hamlets and small mountain villages, birds, animals, Inca temples and breathtaking landscapes and on the other hand, you will encounter friendly people of different cultures offering a fascinating glimpse of traditional rural life.

The Choquequirao Classic Trek is far less crowded than other classic treks to Machu Picchu and remains a true remote adventure, despite its increasing in popularity since The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is Limited. The Choquequirao Classic Trek features all the great aspects of a classic trek in Peru: epic scenery, spectacular suspension bridge crossings and the mysterious Inca Settlement of Choqeuquirao.

Location

Choquequirao is located at 13 ° 32 ‘south latitude and 72 ° 44’ west longitude. It is located at 3035 m.s.n.m. in the foothills of the Salkantay Mountain, north of the Apurímac river/valley, in the province of La Convención in the department of Cusco. It is approximately at a distance of 47 km. with reference to the town of Cachora (department of Apurimac).

We can mention that the environment of Choquequirao is one of the richest in biodiversity. All these species have been conditioned despite the temperature variations such as sunshine throughout the day and inclement frost during the night.

The fauna of the place is composed mainly of condors, tarucas, vizcachas, foxes, zorrinos, pumas, hummingbirds, Mountain spectacle bears and the popular cock of the rocks, national bird of Peru. In its flora, giant ferns, ichu and a great variety of orchids stand out, where the “Wakanki” variety stands out.

Weather

Due to the geographical position in which it is located, Choquequirao has a warm climate alternated with cold temperatures at night. The average annual temperature is 17ºC.

History

During the Inca civilization Choquequirao was a Military, administrative and religious center for the region of the “Antisuyu” (one of the four regions of the Tawantinsuyu). It is presumed that this citadel was used as a checkpoint to ensure access to the areas of Vilcabamba, which connected the jungle with other important centers such as Pisac and Machu Picchu. It is also estimated that the citadel played an important role serving as a link between the Amazon rainforest and the capital of the Inca Empire (Cusco).

In the transitional period that lasted approximately 40 years, Choquequirao is considered one of the last strongholds of resistance and refuge of the Incas, who by order of Manco Inca, left the city of Cusco to take shelter in the cities of the Vilcabamba region, when around the year 1535 Cusco was controlled by the Spaniards. It was in this place (and in general throughout the valley of Vilcabamba) where Manco Inca and the last Inca descendants of Vilcabamba where they resisted the attack of the Spaniards, until the capture and execution of Tupac Amaru I that happened in the year 1572.

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