Some of the impressive features of Choquequirao, the other Machu Picchu, are the amazing stone walls protecting it, the greenness of their fabulous land shelves , and all that atmosphere charged with energy probably coming from old ceremonies where they adored the Sun.

Spectacular and distant, lonely and forgotten, Choquequirao ( 3,085 m.a.s.l.) is built at the top of a mountain almost untouched in the province of La Convención, department of Cusco. This fact explains why it became, along 40 years, the last resistance point of the Sun's children who were looking for shelter under its stone walls when Manco Inca, the rebel Inca, was defeated.

Spectacular and distant, lonely and forgotten, Choquequirao ( 3,085 m.a.s.l.) is built at the top of a mountain almost untouched in the province of La Convención, department of Cusco. This fact explains why it became, along 40 years, the last resistance point of the Sun's children who were looking for shelter under its stone walls when Manco Inca, the rebel Inca, was defeated.

Its palaces and temples in two levels, systems of fountains, canals and aqueducts and its fantastic land shelves covered by thick vegetation were presumably built during the Inca Pachacutec government ( XV century) and it is only compared to Machu Picchu, the most visited archaeological site in Peru.

Choquequirao is divided into two zones and its stone buildings are forming small villages. The governors' houses and the main temple are located around its main square. Researchers state that the complex have been an important religious, politic and economic centre as well as a commercial and cultural link among the Coast, the Highlands and the Jungle.

However, the real magnificence of Choquequirao ( in quechua chuqui k ' iraw: golden cradle) is still unveiled. Only thirty percent of the 1,810 hectares of the complex has been "rescued" by the thick vegetation which during years, maybe centuries, covered this real Inca jewel.

Being "rediscovered" and then forgotten is the especial story of Choquequirao, the last Inca shelter. In 1768, Cosme Bueno, an historian, was the first person to announce its existence. The French Eugen de Santiges and Leónce Angrad did the same in XIX century. In 1911, Hiram Bingham, who discovered Machu Picchu the same year, acknowledged the importance of its buildings.

Besides the archaeological and historical value of Choquequirao, the Inca "golden cradle", we can also find a beautiful environment of geographic features and biodiversity adding a new attraction for the visitors who are able to watch the ostentatious condor flight as well as the heavy walk of the spectacle beard.

Arriving at Choquequirao is a demanding adventure which stars in a road trip from Cusco to the town of Cachora (Apurimac) beginning in a zigzag 30 kilometres trail to arrive at the historical building. The adventure to Choquequirao, from Cachora is about 60 kilometres round trip, it lasts four endless walking days in which we can also ride a horse.

During the long hours riding a horse or walking, we can discover huge mountains, frightening cliffs, perfect snow mounts and the strong cannon of the Apurimac river
One of the world deepest. Although we have even more, the flora and the ecological wealth of this place will always delight the visitor. It is worthy to make the effort. We forget being tired as we become witnesses of this spectacular site called Choquequirao.