Peru is most famous for the sacred archaeological site of Machu Picchu – visited each year by scores of intrepid hikers who brave the Inca Trail’s arduous slopes to explore the age-old ruins. The country’s attractions extend far beyond the mystical allure of this legendary location and include palm-fringed beaches, quaint Andean villages and archaeological treasures that predate Machu Picchu by hundreds of years – all imbued with the nation’s rich melange of indigenous and colonial cultures. Equally enticing are the exotic reaches of Peru’s Amazon rainforest; Lima’s superb eateries, exquisite architecture and effervescent nightlife; the glittering, mountain-ringed waters of Lake Titicaca; and the vibrant city of Cusco, referred to by the Incas as ‘the centre of the world’.
Set at 3050 kilometres above sea level in the Peruvian Andes, Choquequirao is an intriguing Incan archaeological site dating to the 15th and 16th centuries. It is only accessible via a strenuous two- to three-day hike from outside Cusco and is not for the faint-hearted! The route is a lesser-known and less crowded alternative to the world-famous Inca Trail and takes in spellbinding vistas of jagged snow-capped mountain peaks and remote forested valleys. This pristine ecosystem is exceptionally rich in flora and fauna - visitors can look forward to catching glimpses of exotic creatures such as condor, coral snakes, tarantulas and hummingbirds. At the end of this challenging trek is the hilltop archaeological site where you can see the remnants of expertly crafted stone structures that were once a stronghold of Inca culture. It encompasses several shrines and temples that emphasise water, leading archaeologists to believe it may have been a sacred centre devoted to the Incan goddess of springs, rivers and the ocean, Mama Cocha.
As previously described
As previously described
