The New York Times ranked Choquequirao as one of the best destinations in the world to visit in 2024
It is located between the Anta and Santa Teresa districts, along the Salkantay mountain foothills in Cusco. Choquequirao is known as the Lost City of the Incas and the sister of Machu Picchu. The meaning of its name in Quechua is “Golden cradle,” and it is becoming more popular over the years. Moreover, this place is considered the second most important Inca site in the region.
Travelers appreciate its incredible architecture that resembles Machu Picchu. In contrast, only 30% of it has been restored since its discovery in 1909. The government is planning further exploration actions. Actually, Choquequirao receives over 10 thousand visitors each year, with expectations to increase the number through constructing a cable car and conserving the trails.
The New York Times published: 2024 Travel Destinations: 52 Places to Go this Year. This article positions Choquequirao as the 49 best place to visit and the only Peruvian destination on the list. The publication emphasized that tourism in Peru is slowly returning to its peak numbers. This, after the consequences of the decrease in visitors due to the COVID-19 pandemic and last year's civil unrest in the country. However, the Tourism and Foreign Trade Ministry of Peru is optimistic for 2024.
Expectations for Choquequirao
The access to Choquequirao is very difficult and challenging for most of the visitors. For example, there are no more than access trails at the moment. As a result, the only way to reach Choquequirao is by foot, but despite this, the New York Times considers it a lesser-known place that deserves more attention.
Choquequirao is becoming a great place to visit for history enthusiasts and adventurers. The conservation efforts and implementation of a tourism plan to impulse it will be of great importance to the site in the future.
Sources: The New York Times
Published on January 15, 2024