Choquequirao has been studied for over a century but excavated for less than four decades. New work on the lower terraces between 2023 and 2026 has revealed structures, decorative figures, and water management features that change what we thought we knew about the site.
The basics
Choquequirao sits at 3,106 m in the Vilcabamba mountain range. The name comes from Quechua and is commonly translated as "Cradle of Gold." The site was built primarily under Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui in the mid-15th century and likely expanded under his successors Túpac Yupanqui and Huayna Cápac. It functioned as a ceremonial, administrative and probably defensive center.
What makes Choquequirao archaeologically important is not just its scale — roughly 1,810 hectares of associated terraces and structures — but the fact that it is still only about 30 – 40% excavated.
Hiram Bingham was here first
The American explorer Hiram Bingham, who became famous for reaching Machu Picchu in 1911, actually visited Choquequirao first, in 1909. He noted that Choquequirao seemed to him a more significant site than what he had heard about Machu Picchu at the time.
For the next 70 years, Choquequirao was occasionally surveyed but never systematically excavated. Serious archaeological work began only in the 1980s and accelerated in the 2000s.
The white llama figures
The single most striking archaeological feature at Choquequirao is the series of llama figures embedded in the agricultural terraces below the main plaza. Made of white quartz stones inlaid into the dark stone walls of the terraces, the figures depict a caravan of llamas — some with riders.
These figures are not found at any other Inca site. They were rediscovered in 2002 by archaeologists clearing vegetation on the lower terraces and have been progressively cleaned and stabilized since then.
The interpretation is debated. The leading theory is that the llamas represent the southern constellation associated with the Inca myth of the dark-cloud llama in the Milky Way — meaning the figures had astronomical and ceremonial significance, not just decorative.
What's been excavated since 2020
Recent fieldwork has focused on three areas:
1. The lower llama terraces (Pikiwasi sector)
More figures have been uncovered in this sector — at least two additional llama groups were stabilized between 2022 and 2025. Work continues. Conservators have also been treating the white stone elements against weathering.
2. Water management systems
Inca hydraulic engineering at Choquequirao is more sophisticated than initially documented. Recent surveys have mapped additional canals, fountains, and a previously unrecorded water reservoir on the upper section of the site. The system suggests Choquequirao supported a larger population than first estimated.
3. Ceremonial structures near Phaqchayoq
The Phaqchayoq sector, accessible via a steep path below the main plaza, contains a series of ceremonial buildings near a natural waterfall. Stabilization work between 2023 and 2025 has clarified the original layout. The waterfall itself was likely integrated into the ceremonial use of the area.
What we still don't know
The big open questions about Choquequirao:
- Was it a royal estate? Like Machu Picchu, Choquequirao may have been built as the private estate of an Inca ruler — most likely Pachacuti or Túpac Yupanqui. The architecture supports this but no inscriptions confirm it.
- Was it a refuge during the Spanish conquest? The site's remote location and the Vilcabamba's role as the last Inca holdout (1536 – 1572) make this plausible, but the archaeological evidence is mixed.
- How big was the resident population? Estimates range from a few hundred to over a thousand. The 60 – 70% of the site that remains unexcavated could change the answer dramatically.
- What was the relationship with Machu Picchu and Vitcos? Choquequirao sits in a network of Inca sites in the Vilcabamba. The roads and signal lines between them are only partially mapped.
What you see today
Visitors in 2026 reach the citadel after the 1.5-hour climb from Marampata. The main areas open to walking are:
- The main plaza with its ceremonial buildings and the priest's quarters
- The upper sector with the largest structures and the ceremonial fountain
- The llama terraces on the lower section (a separate descent of about 30 – 45 minutes)
- The Phaqchayoq sector if your guide deems it safe to descend
You'll need at least 4 – 6 hours to see the site properly. Our day 2 itinerary builds in 6+ hours on site.
Why this matters for visitors
Choquequirao is one of the few major Inca sites where you can still see active excavation work happening, where the structures haven't been over-restored, and where there's a real sense that the site is being uncovered in front of you.
If you're interested in Inca history, ask your guide to point out the new excavation areas as you walk the site. Most guides will gladly spend extra time on the archaeological details if you show interest.
"At Machu Picchu you walk through a museum. At Choquequirao you walk through an archaeological dig that hasn't ended."
Want to walk the trail and see the recent finds for yourself? Our 5-day trek gives you a full day to explore the site without rushing.