Sacsayhuaman Sacsayhuaman is an imposing example of Inca military architecture. Located 2 km from the city of Cusco, the fortress was hewn from vast granite blocks to protect the city from  the tribes coming form the eastern jungle. This site is divided into three vast zigzagging terraces and flanked by massive stone walls, some up to 300 m long. Later, during the Colonial times, the site was used as quarry to provide stone for colonial buildings.

Qenqo
Qenqo is a vast rocky hilltop carved into staircases, holes and channels, probably built to store the chicha (fermented maize beer) used in Inca rituals. The site features a semi-circular patio studded with several large niches surrounding a stone figure embedded within a chamber, rather like and inside its own shrine.

Tambomachay
Tambomachay is another fine example of Inca architecture made up of platforms, niches and fountains which still function today, as water flows down through them from a spring higher up in the hills. During Inca times, this was a sacred site used for worship of the water deity, one of the shrines that made up the system of imaginary grid lines that irradiated out to sacred spots or indicated the time and place of the ceremonies.

Puca Pucara Administrative and military center, made up of terraces and stairways. Ollantaytambo Large Inca agricultural, social, religious and administrative complex. Pisac Ruins Colosal terraces, constructions and fortified towers with fine architectural finish. Machu Picchu Machu Picchu, "the Lost City of the Incas", was a flourishing ceremonial and agricultural site, probably the gateway to the jungle marches of the Inca Empire. The central buildings were erected with the polished stone works of the Cusco Imperial style, though the site was probably occupied well before the Incas started their expansion. It was associated with the earth cult revolving around the Coca leaf, which was a privilege of the Inca Royal family and priests.  The ruins, staircases, terraces, temples, palaces, towers, fountains, the famous Intiwatana and the Site Museum below the ruins require at least one day, some say two.  Machu Picchu can be reached from Cusco by train or helicopter, or through the Inca Trail.   Travelers can take a full day tour or stay for overnight at one of the nice hotels, one at the ruins, three down in the valley or in small hostels.

Choquequirao, The sister city of Machu Picchu

Choquequirao or "Chokekirao" is 3055 m.as.l. and is located on an ample Andean plateau in the Convention province, in the center of the Vilcabamba Valley. Its archeological sites are considered as important as Machu Picchu, this is why it is called Machu Picchu's sister city. Archaeologists presume that it is one of the several lost citadels in Vilcabamba, where the Inkas refuged in 1536.

The archaeological site is 47 km away from the town of Cachora, where the beauty of colorful vegetation landscapes make the trek an incredible experience. Also the Canyon of the Apurimac River can be appreciated while it is descended, at any moment you will be able to contact with local nature.

The construction of the archaeological site is attributed to Pachacutec, the 9th Inca and shows the high advance of the Inca architecture. There are constructions of two floors with niches in the walls, doors and niches of double jamb, channels of irrigation. Among the used materials are stones joined with mud mortar. The extension of the complex is calculated approximately in 500 Hectares. Among the greatest buildings there are reservoirs, terraces, towers, channels of irrigation built for a mayor Inca city.

The first well-known information on Cachora comes from the cosmographer Cosme Bueno in 1768, in which he talks about the archaeological site. In 1865, Emilio Colpaert publishes the map of Cusco, where he signs the horse road to Choquequirao from Cachora and another route to the Victoria mines. The most important visits and greatest scientific contribution was made by the historian Hiram Bingham in 1909, accompanied by a neighbor of the city of Abancay, Castro y Cáceres. After his famous discovery Binghan returns to Choquequirao to gather information to be included in the book about of Machu Picchu.

It is necessary to understand the religious character of this complex. The architecture is distributed around a main square or and is very well complemented by nice terrace works. The archeological sites are distributed on the lower part of the Choquequirao Hill and they are grouped in different quarters. Each one is separated a little bit from the next, probably following a functional and social rank. The trip to Choquequirao is long and tiring but certainly unforgettable.

You will leave Cusco on the Abancay Road and at Km 154 you detour to the Cachora Village where the trek will begin. To reach Choquequirao you should be in good physical condition. The route starts at 2900 meters above sea level at Cachora and ends at 1530 meters above sea level at the Apurimac River. On the second day you will hike up to 3085 meters above sea level where the complex lies. To return, you will use the same trail.

Most Important Archaeological Sites in Peru:

Amazonas
Ancash
Cajamarca
Cusco
Ica
Lambayeque
Lima
La Libertad
Puno