Peru is one of the most archaeologically-rich countries on earth, and not just because of its blockbuster site, Machu Picchu.
Remnants of these ancient cultures are scattered across the country, many of which are easily accessible for casual visitors. Choquequirao, not far from Machu Picchu and equally impressive, receives a fraction of the visitors.
Some of the following historical sites are known the world-over; others receive a trickle of visitors each year. All qualify as must-see sites on any visit to Peru. Choquequirao was erected in the latter part of the 15th century, most likely under the reign of Tupac Inca Yupanqui Choquequirao is situated on a levelled hill saddle some 60 miles as the crow β or condor β flies from Cusco.
At least one full day is necessary to see Choquequirao properly. However, since visitors inevitably come equipped with camping gear, they can extend their time as long as they like. Two, three, even four-day stays are common to explore the many satellite precincts. Current scholarly opinion posits it took on its present form sometime in the s, remaining inhabited well into the s. But as with all things Chachapoya, these dates are tentative at best.
Those who do make the trek to the cloud forest are rewarded with some of the most spectacular pre-Columbian ruins in the continent. Half a day is sufficient to tour the site. Monumental as the architecture is, only hardcore archaeology buffs will feel the need to spend more than four or five hours seeing it. This mountaintop citadel has mesmerised foreigners the world over ever since a local family showed it to Hiram Bingham back in Previously thought to have been built in the s, in archeologists using radio-carbon dating showed it was inhabited as early as The discovery of new ceremonial water channels was published as recently as The lb gorilla of Peru's historical sites, most visitors to the country are here primarily to visit Machu Picchuβ¦.
