|
|
| Other sites of interest |
|
|
|
 Saywite
Archeological Complex
Some
45 km (28 miles) from
Abancay lies the
Conchasa archeological
complex. The most
important monument in
this complex is a huge
monolith 4 meters
(13.2 ft) in diameter,
representing a map of
the Tahuantinsuyo,
drawn to scale. Known
as the Saywite Stone,
this rocky sculpture
is decorated with
designs in relief of
plants, animals,
topography and customs
of the Inca Empire.
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
This
Inca stone archeological complex dating back
to the early sixteenth century covers an area
of 2 hectares. Its component sectors are
defined by the topography of the site,
fulfilled different functions and communicated
with each other through walkways to the main
square. Visitors can view a complex hydraulic
system, most likely for domestic, ceremonial
and agricultural use. The geographic location
of Choquequirao in reference to other
complexes of the same period would tend to
indicate that its function was that of an Inca
enclave toward the valleys of the Apurímac
River. There are many similarities between
Choquequirao and Machu Picchu. The latter was
a sanctuary dedicated to the worship of the
Inca Pachacútec; Choquequirao was also a
sacred site, but one dedicated to other
functions that could have had to do with war
or with the surrounding apus. Each is located
beside Mt. Salcantay and both are situated
above, far above, a great river: in the case
of Machupicchu, the Urubamba and in that of
Choquequirao, the Apurímac.
|
 |
Access |
 |
|
The
most usual access is via the town of Cachora
(Apurímac), along a 29.8 km (18 mile) pack
trail 1.80 m (almost 6 ft) wide, in a trip of
about 12 hours.
|
|
Tourist Attractions |
|
|
 Mt.
Salcantay
The
Vilcabamba mountain range, to which the
Salcantay massif (6 271 m or 20,694 ft.a.s.l.)
belongs, is situated in a beautiful and
solitary landscape. Dominated by Mt.
Salcantay, the range possesses numerous very
high snow-clad peaks, all of them visible from
the Puyupatamarca zone on the Inca Trail to
Machu Picchu. The terrain around this
attractive mountain complex is rugged and
unpredictable, filled with deep valleys and
gorges, making its exploration interesting but
at the same time exhausting.
|
|
 The
Apurímac Canyon
Straddling
the departments of Cusco and Apurímac, the
canyon is the most magnificent formation in
the Southern Andes. The turbulent and winding
waters of the Apurímac, one of the country’s
major rivers that later joins up with the
great Amazon, cut through the canyon. Unique
attractions abound both in the surrounding
area and in the canyon itself, where visitors
can admire the spectacular 200 m (660 ft) high
waterfall and visit the Ccorihuayrachina and
Capitán Raymi lookouts.
|
|
 Vilcabamba
Mountain Range
This 100
km (62 mile) -long mountain range runs
parallel to the border between the departments
of Cusco y Apurímac. It is a complex mountain
system with 5 peaks rising above six thousand
meters (19,800 ft) that feed the sources of
the Urubamba and Apurímac Rivers. A number of
very high peaks difficult to conquer can be
found at the heads of a dozen subsidiary
gorges, among them Mt. Salcantay (6,271 m or
20,694 ft.a.s.l.), Mt. Pumasillo (6,070 m or
20,032 ft.a.s.l.), Mt. Cosumayoc (6,000 m or
19,800 ft.a.s.l.), and Mt. Sacsarayoc (5,000 m
or 16,500 ft.a.s.l.).
|
|
|
