CHOQUEQUIRAO, GOLDEN CRADLE.
Choquequirao is the name of a hill in the foothills of mount Yanama, the last peak in the spectacular Salkantay range as it merges into the jungles of the southern Andes. This name, given to a hill and an Inca fortress, means Golden Cradle. It is high, 4,900 feet above sea level. It is on the boundary between the departments of Cusco and Apurimac.
Choquequirao was where the Inca elite exercised their power after it was occupied around 1410. Its glory days were during the government of Pachacutec (the ninth Inca) and his son Tupac Yupanqui (tenth Inca) between 1471 and 1493. The fortress grew, in accordance with its different objectives by groups of buildings over an area of approximately twenty five acres. Twelve sectors have so far been identified, built on platforms. This fortress has many elements in common not only with Machu Picchu, but with Pisac and Ollantaytambo as well.
One of the principal attractions of the fortress of Choquequirao is the 19 miles walk you must undertake from Cachora to reach it. Cachora is in Apurimac and is reached on the paved Cusco to Abancay road.
Choquequirao is located at an altitude of 3103 meters above sea level, it occupies both banks of the Apurimac River.
This amazing cultural and natural complex comprise areas of the departments of Cusco and Apurimac, situated in a strategic zone among the Andean mountains and the Jungle.
Its considered as a region of Andean valleys with prescence of deep canyons from 1,300 to 5,000 m.a.s.l. In the Apurimac river.
The complex is characterized by a dense vegetation and a Sub-tropical landscape.
Its temperature is around 12°C with sunny days and cold nights due to be located close of snowy mountains.
FLORA AND FAUNA:
The location of this site at the foot of the mountains made of this archaelogical complex a place with abundant vegetation due to the filtering of water by the land.
In this place there are big threes such us the cedar, varied medicinal plants, orchids and bromeliads.
The Climatic conditions allow the development of a varied fauna such us: bears, deers, wild pumas and soon besides the spectacled birds such us the Andean condor and many species of hamming birds.