We had an opportunity to see Choquequirao in the late afternoon light. It is a mystical place. A place we had to ourselves. Due to the challenges of getting there, tourists are few and far between, maybe a hundred to a hundred and fifty a year.
We’ve just added even more photos of Anita’s trek, including the final stop at Machu Picchu. Take a look in the Photos section.
At the end of May 2008 I participated in a marvelous 16 day adventure in Peru, joining seven other trekkers on a Geographic Expeditions journey to little known Inca ruins at Choquequirao and on to Machu Picchu. We went over spectacular mountain passes, camped for eight nights, trekked up and down, and up and down repeatedly, passing only Quechua villagers (no tourists on this route) and one dazzling vista after another.
Our guides, Clark Kotula and Efrain Valles Morales and assistant Osvaldo Velasco, were excellent. Our arrieros (mule drivers/porters) and cooks, Pedro One and Pedro Two, and 24 animals were invaluable in the success of the trek. We had perfect weather, blue skys, white clouds, lupine in flower tumbling down the mountain sides along with countless other flowers.
Seeing Machu Picchu had been a longtime dream of mine, even better in tandem with Choquequirao. The challenge and difficulty of the trek made the accomplishment all the more rewarding. An absolutely stellar trip!
Check out the Photos section to see all the pictures from the trip!
September 08 2008 | Messages | 2 Comments »
Route: Choquequirao to Maizal
This was the hardest day of the trek in terms of physical challenge. First a hike out of the Choquequirao campground to the pass at 10,824′, followed by a descent of 5,592′ to the San Juan River where we had lunch. Then a steep trek up 3,500′ to our spectacular campground on the grounds of a family’s farm. It was a trek of ten miles.
May 26 2008 | Photos | No Comments »
Choquequirao and Elizabeth’s 81st Birthday
Beautiful clouds swirling over the mountains when we woke up to celebrate Elizabeth Burn’s 81st Birthday. This was our day to really spend time in Choquequirao “Cradle of Gold” in the Quechua language. This site remains 70% buried under cloud forest, a huge challenge to archaeologists. It is far more extensive than its sister ruins at Machu Picchu. It is thought to have been built during the reign of the Inca Pachacuti, who lived 1438-71. The first excavations began in the 1970s.
May 25 2008 | Photos | No Comments »
Route: Santa Rosa to Choquequirao
Rising early we trekked along a rising zigzag trail to the hamlet of Marampata for a snack stop. From there onwards, we saw the ruins of Choquequirao ever more clearly, especially the cascading terraces. Our campground was a mile and a half from the ruins at 10,020′.
May 24 2008 | Photos | No Comments »
