UJ # 20 - BEST OF THE BEST

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SISTER
CHOQUEQUIRAO
Adventure & nature
4 days - 3 nights AM Upon request
LimaTours
LimaTours
Immersed in the lush jungle of Cusco’s cloud forest lies an ancient
city, sister to Machu Picchu, thought to hold its world of valuable
secrets yet to be discovered. Choquequirao, which means cradle
of gold in Quechua, is a fantastic archaeological site nestled on
the top of a mountain, in which one can truly connect to nature
and lose themselves in the Incan past.
To access the site, one must embark on an unforgettable – albeit
challenging – four-day hike full of ascents and descents, that takes
you through a variety of microclimates. From Andean highlands
to Amazonian cloud forests; from 4,000 meters above sea level to
the deepest valleys; through vibrant green forests to centuries-old
stone walls. All this and more on this incredible route.
Choquequirao is an ancient Inca citadel built above the Apurimac
River Valley, 3,000 meters above sea level. Its size and limited
accessibility have made the excavation and study of the site’s
12 sectors a difficult task. Based on what has been uncovered,
however, the high-quality stonework indicates that the citadel
was used for ceremonial purposes and housing for the elite.
Some theories suggest that it also served as a control point,
and it was home of the last Inca bastion after the arrival of the
Spanish to Cusco.
Its plazas and terraces are noteworthy, as is the flora and fauna
that surround it. The impressive view of the valley shares the
spotlight with the Llamas of the Sun – llama figures made from
stone –, and the incredible number of butterflies that flutter
around hikers. Your camera is sure to be doing the most work
throughout the journey.
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