Peru: Tourists will be able to visit Choquequirao again starting this week

12:49 | Cusco (Cusco region), Apr. 20.

The Choquequirao Archaeological Park will reopen to tourists this week after maintenance and conservation work was completed on the main access route through San Pedro de Cachora district (Apurimac region), which had been affected by heavy rains.

"It should happen between Tuesday and Wednesday," Cusco's Regional Management of Foreign Trade, Tourism, and Handicrafts (Gercetur) Chief, Rosendo Baca, told Andina News Agency, adding that all preparations were nearly ready to welcome visitors.

The official said the reopening is still pending final approval and should have taken place last Wednesday, April 15.

However, authorities are waiting for newly appointed authorities to take office at the Decentralized Directorate of Culture in Cusco (DDC Cusco), the entity that administers the archaeological site.

Choquequirao, located between La Convencion and Anta (Cusco region), was closed in early February due to the vulnerability of the mule trail that leads to the site on a three-day trek.

Heavy rainfall had caused landslides along the route.

The closure was implemented to protect visitors and tourism operators. It involved local authorities, Cusco's Regional Disaster Risk Management and Security Office (OGRDS), the Culture Directorate, Gercetur, the Natural Resources Management Office, the Tourist Protection Network, and other agencies.

During the more than two-month closure, maintenance work was carried out on the trail, Baca said.

A final coordination meeting was held with DDC officials to organize a joint relaunch involving Cusco and Apurimac regions.

"Several maintenance works have been completed, including the provision of an ambulance that will remain there to provide safety and healthcare to our visitors," he mentioned.

Santa Teresa route

Before the closure of the usual route to Choquequirao, a new access route through Santa Teresa in La Convencion province had generated strong expectations.

That route is expected to reopen as well, but only after technical evaluations are completed.

"We have not yet technically assessed that route. It is still pending. We hope to fully exit the rainy season by the end of this month in order to issue formal authorization," the Gercetur manager said.

Up to 9,000 tourists

Choquequirao, considered "The Other Wonder," receives up to 9,000 visitors annually.

Authorities hope to attract more tourists, including through the installation of a cable car system.

To that end, local governments, the Foreign Trade and Tourism Directorate (Dircetur) of Apurimac, and Cusco officials are promoting the relaunch of Choquequirao.

Most visitors are foreign tourists, as they enjoy the beautiful landscapes along the route that begins in Cusco. Access is through San Pedro de Cachora in Abancay province (Apurimac region), via the Capuliyoc-Maranpata trail—the gateway to the Inca strongholds.

"Choquequirao is such an important tourism resource that it awaits a development opportunity through the cable car system and other improvements, which we will present next week," he concluded.