Choquequirao’s cable car project in the works
A cable car project has been proposed for the Inca citadel of Choquequirao.
Currently, it takes about two days of hiking to reach the site, which sits at over 3,000 meters above sea level. The challenging access attracts 8,000 tourists annually. Choquequirao, often referred to as the sacred sister of Machu Picchu, will connect the regions of Cusco and Apurímac.
Thanks to the new cable car system, travel time will be reduced from over two days to just 20 minutes. The system will span more than 10.6 kilometers, linking several sections of the two regions.
The current journey to reach Choquequirao involves:
Lima to Cusco: A 1.5-hour flight.
Cusco to Apurímac: A 3-hour bus or car ride to the district of Cachora (Apurímac), followed by a 30 km hike.
Located in the district of Santa Teresa in the La Convención province of Cusco, Choquequirao stands at 3,048 meters above sea level, nestled in the foothills of the Salcantay mountain range, north of the Apurímac River.
Meaning "Cradle of Gold" in Quechua, Choquequirao is considered the second most significant Inca site in Cusco after Machu Picchu. It is renowned for its impressive design and construction.
The archaeological complex spans three mountain ridges and includes 12 identified sectors, although only about 30% of the site has been excavated so far.
This project aims to make Choquequirao more accessible, opening up opportunities for more visitors and expanding its potential as a major historical and cultural destination.
