CHOQUEQUIRAO

Choquequirao (from Quechua chuqi, gold, and k'iraw, cradle: "cradle of gold") is an Inca archaeological site located at 3033 meters above sea level, in the foothills of the snowy Salcantay, north of the valley of the Apurimac River, in the district of Mollepata, Province of Anta, Department of Cuzco, southern Peru.

This place was the refuge of the leaders of the Inca resistance, and, except for Machu Picchu, it is the most prestigious site to be inhabited by elite people. Its difficult access makes it a reserve against unwanted visitors.

When arriving at Choquequirao, a truncated cone-shaped hill stands out with a wide and flat circular space at the top, whose terraced slopes give it a homogeneous profile. This place is called "Ushnu", a name given to the sanctuaries visible in the most important Inca settlements.

Choquequirao has multiple two-story buildings with niches inside, some with doors and niches with double jambs and an elaborate system of irrigation canals.

Known as the "sacred sister" of Machu Picchu because of its structural and architectural similarity, Choquequirao has recently aroused the interest of the Peruvian government, which seeks to further recover the complex and make it an accessible alternative for tourists interested in Inca culture.