Choquequirao
From Wiki Sumaq Peru
The meaning of Choquequirao
Choquequirao (from the Quechua word chuquik´iraw "Cradle of Gold") was the last stronghold of the Incas' resistance to the Spanish domain.
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Location
Choquequirao lies on 3085 meters above sea level in the Vilcabamabavalley. Politically, it is located within the jurisdiction of Santa Teresa, Province of La Convención, Department of Cusco. From Meridian Grenwich:
- Its latitude is 13 ° 32 '
- Its west longitude 72 ° 44 '
Choquequirao is located in near to the forest, in the transition between the valleys of the Andes and the jungle. The diversity of this environment, makes it an important attraction for visitors who nwat to observe various expressions of wild fauna and flora of the place as the spectacled bear, the condor, showy butterflies and birds like the trogón - similar to the quetzal bird.
Strategic Position
Its undoubtedly strategic location, enabled them to extend this unique settlement and have a grip on what could be considered one of the most extraordinary journeys heights of the country.
The stonewalls surrounding this ancient religious, political and social centre of the Empire, are mostly covered with underbrush, thus giving you the sense of being one of the first explorers reaching it. Its construction dates back to the first half of the XVth Century, and it is in 1536 that it turns into a haven for the descendants of the Incas for more than 40 years.
Climate
The geographical position, Choquequirao has a warm climate alternated with cold temperatures at night. The annual average temperature is 16 ° C. From the archaeological site has been an extraordinary sight to the side of White Canyon River and Apurimac, from the distance, you can see the fabulous snow Salcantay.
History
Inca´s Period
The Manco Inca dynasty resisted the Spanish conquerors during 40 years (1 536 to 1 572) from this fortress in the Vilcabamaba area. The Spanish conquerors were never able to expel them from it. The building of Chocquequirao is the work of Inca Pachacutec successors Tupac Inca Yupanqui (1 471-1 493) and Wayna Capac (1 493-1 527). Household and ceremonial pottery has been found here that bears both the classic Cusco style and also from other populations who came to live here to build and permanently populate the area.
Most likely, they were experienced farmers who knew how to build and use farming terraces in high Amazon forest areas. Located at 3 050 masl on the border with department of Apurímac, the Choquequirao archeological compound was not built to be a place of easy access. Reaching it demands two days of disciplined march, largely compensated by the beauty of the landscape that wayfarers cross from the beginning of their expedition.
It is believed that Choquequirao was part of the complex built for the Inca resistance during the Spanish occupation, in Vilcabamba Valley. These complexes are formed by Ñusta Hispanic Vitcos, Espiritu Pampa, Concebidayoc, Pampaconas and Jabaspampa. These were gathered by Incan roads and Machu Picchu .
Choquequirao lies in a mountain almost impregnable which allowed after its stone walls being stored resistance for almost 40 years. It was unclear who was the promoter of its construction, some people believes was Pachacutec who around the fifteenth century ordered its construction,however other investigators argue that his builder was the Inca Tupac Yupanqui. After these 40 years Choquequirao was forgotten, only in the memories of the inhabitants of nearby communities, and was invaded and protected by the lush vegetation of the site.
Choquequirao was probably one of the entrance check point to the Vilcabamba region, and also an administrative hub serving political, social and economic functions. Its urban design has followed the symbolic patterns of the imperial capital, with ritual places dedicated to the Sun (Inti) and the ancestors, to the earth, water and other divinities, with mansions for administrators and houses for artisans, warehouses, large dormitories or kallankas and farming terraces belonging to the Inca or the local people. Spreading over 700 meters, the ceremonial area drops as much as 65 meters from the elevated areas to the main square.
Modern Age
Early mentions about Choquequirao,date from the viceroyalty period in which the ruins were visited by travelers and adventurers during centuries. Subsequently Choquequirao has been inspected on many occasions.
It was the historian Cosme Well, in 1768, the first to publicly announce its existence with some annotations and indications on the site and placing it on the agenda of new explorers. Then the French Eugen of Santiges and Leónce Angrand, did the same in the nineteenth century.
In 1865, Emilio Colpaert drawed the path of horseshoe from Cachora to Choquequirao within the region of Cusco. In 1911, Hiram Binghan, who discovered Machu Picchu in the same year-noted the importance of the buildings, the citadel Machu Picchu was hidden in the compound of the most important ancient Inca, it was assumed Choquequirao as a complex with less historical significance.
With the intervention of COPESCO and the motivaion to form a commission to implement a new design development tour to benefit the locals. Latest archaelogical investigation works have found almost 30 archaeological remains in the Inca Trail.
This fact, will increase the ecotourism activity in the region, producing a sustained development inside villages nearby.
Architecture
The Citadel is divided into 9 architectonic zones, and its constructions of stones are clustered resembling small neighbourhoods. The ceremonial zone stands out around the Main Plaza. Its has two story temples and buildings such as the Sunturwasi, built to serve multiple purposes and collective uses. It is believed that the place was a shrine to worship the Sun God, the ancestors, the land, the water and other Inca deities.
On the other hand, the residential zone includes a group of popular houses called Piquiwasi; it is common to find large niches on the walls, and rooms with two or even three levels in almost every building. The stonewalls are amalgamated with mud. Due to its palaces and two story temples, its system of fountains, canals and aqueducts, and its admirable cultivation terraces (andenes), this place is comparable with Machu Picchu only.
A singular element are the sheets of slate stone, which have been placed outside as extensions of the floors, between one level and the other. It is believed to have served to protect the people from the rain and the sun. Trapezoid doors and windows, characteristic of the Inca architecture, can be appreciated as well.
The beauty of the surroundings adds to the beauty of the site. The geographic characteristics and the biodiversity proper to the forest brow constitute an additional attractions for visitors, allowing them to watch from the majestic flight of the Condor (Vultur gryphus), to the heavy pace of a Spectacle Bear (Tremarctos ornatus).
The exhilaration felt for having reached this magnificent compound dissipates all weariness. The magic of the place captures us, startles us. However, it is time to go back, to go through Santa Rosa again, and say goodbye to these new friends and their glasses of chicha. This journey has given us much, has taught us more about ourselves and what we were. Another camping night and finally the return to Cusco, with the certainty that fromanow on, the guide will also include us in those stories told by the warming flames of a protective fire.
Adventure to Choquequirao
Arriving at Choquequirao is a very demanding adventure for travellers. The trip begins in the city of Cusco, and goes to the town of Cachora (Abancay) after a 145 kilometre ride trough an asphalted road plus 10 kilometres of dirt road. There starts the 30 kilometre path leading to the Cradle of the Gold of the Incas. However, there are some places along the road from Cusco to Cachora that can not be missed.
The hot thermal Springs of Cconoc
We discover huge boulders at the Pampa (Plain) of Anta, which according to a legend, turned into hardened combatants (by command of the God Sun) to save the Incas from an imminent defeat in their struggle against the ferocious Chancas. Following the route, we find the Hot Thermal Springs of Cconoc, which waters contain ideal medicinal properties to heal illnesses such as arthritis, or to alleviate muscular pains. Cconoc is located at the left bank of the Apurímac River, jurisdiction of the District of Curahuasi, in Apurímac, popularly known as the City of the Aniseed.
A monolith of an 11 metre circumference and 2.30 metres high, known as the Model of the Tahuantinsuyo, stands out at the archaeological compound of Saywite, also located in the District of Curahuasi. There are over 200 figures engraved on the surface representing animals, Andean gods, canals, roads and water reservoirs. The rest of the complex comprises temples and other interesting blocks of engraved granite.
Hiking to Choquequirao
In the way Once in Cachora (2900 metres above sea level) we must start the preparations for the hike bound to Choquequirao, which will take us between 3 or 4 days for the roundtrip depending on the intensity of the march, and which will need a great spirit of adventure due to the prolonged slopes, abrupt descents and endless turns abundant during the length the route. This hike can be done partly on mule or horseback in some sectors, which your travel agent will be glad to arrange for you, if you ask him to.
The hike begins. The spirit is lifted. The image of Choquequirao is sketched on our mind. After the first 9 kilometres there is a slight sense of weariness. There is a privileged view of the surrounding scenery from the Mountain Pass of Capuliyoc (3010 metres above sea level). The mountains are clearly displayed. The path, which descends like a serpent towards the Apurímac (God Who Speaks) River, brings our breath back.
The next stop is at Cocamasama (2010 metres above sea level), a sort of vantage point from which you can make out the summit of the mountain on which Choquequirao is located. The Apurímac River and its tumultuous waters appear ever closer. We need to continue our descent down to the 1930 metres above sea level of Chiquisca. Choquequirao. River Here we stop for a much deserved, but not too lengthy, break. Finally we set our camp on the Rosalinda River Bank (1550 metres above sea level), located 19 kilometres away from Cachora.
Its shores are bathed by the large Apurímac River, and it is possible to plunge into its waters. The sound of the river rocks us, the night is falling, hiding between its arms the silhouette of that bridge that will return us to our journey, and which reminds us that the next day the trek will be harder. We can only dream of Choquequirao in the meantime.
The second day the sky appears clear at dawn and we start the walk. We go across the bridge that we saw the night before and the path continues long, winding up to the skies. We arrive a little tired to the Town of Santa Rosa (2100 metres above sea level). The locals are very kind, they understand our tiredness as city adventurers and handle us a glass of Chicha, made of sugarcane, each. We refill the canteens, chat cheerfully and take a moment's rest under the shadow of their cabins. It is time to say farewell as great friends do after a few minutes, but not before vows are taken for more glasses of Chicha on the way back.
The scenery is changing; nature is painting the terrain with shades of a stronger green. There is not much left to go through, but the weariness and this seemingly never ending slope, makes us move much slower. We finally arrive at Marampata (2850 metres above sea level) where we are grateful for the much needed rest. We set camp and begin to talk about the people who, like us, eventually walked the same route in days long gone.
The guide tells us about Cosme Bueno, a historian who was the first Westerner to announce the existence of the citadel in 1768. Years later the Frenchmen Eugene de Santiges and Leonce Angrand would do the same in the XIXth Century. In 1911, Hiram Bingham (who discovered Machu Picchu to the Western world that very same year) confirmed the importance of the site. And now in the sheer XXIth Century, other men and women, we amongst them, walk the same path. Choquequirao is nearby; weariness takes hold of us, its time to rest.
When the morning arrives we restart the march with high spirits, our destination is only a few steps further ahead. The overwhelming greatness of the Canyon, the imposing presence of the Apu (Mountain) Salcantay, the zigzagging presence of the River, are but a prelude. Choquequirao is no longer a distant spot on the road ahead, now it is before our eyes, imposing, magnificent.
References
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