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3. CHOQUEQUIRAO: THE POTENTIAL

Annually, Machu Picchu generates close to US$35.9 million for Peru, not to mention the general business created

through the hotels, restaurants, transportation, and souvenir shops in Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Ollaytaytambo, and

other nearby cities (“Machu Picchu Annual,” 2017). The main image being sold in the streets of Cusco is that of

Machu Picchu, and the site alone is what brings most tourists into the Cusco region of Peru, or Peru as an entire

country. Peru is reliant on the income created by Machu Picchu for the continued restoration and excavation of the

hundreds of other sites around the country. With its increasing popularity comes increasing traffic and prices.

Over travel websites and advisories, there are warnings about the number of other tourists as well as tips on how

to visit with the least amount of other tourists. While the increasing popularity may be relatively good for Peru,

there are setbacks as frustrated tourists begin looking for alternatives. As an example, the Salkantay Trek to

Macchu Picchu is gaining popularity over the famous Inca Trail because of the lower foot traffic, lower price, and

better availability for the trail to book treks on a short notice (Warner, 2018).

Choquequirao currently has limited accessibility due to lack of facilities. Travel blogs and websites tell interested

travelers that they’ll need to be prepared for an intense hike. It’s true that many tourists select the option to hike to

Machu Picchu as well, but they also have the resources to provide accommodation via train and bus, which is

important for generally the retired

senior population. Choquequirao is

currently relatively closed off and

difficult to garner information on

travel, much less to find any sort of

accommodation. Because of this,

only around a dozen tourists will

visit Choquequirao in a day, a

fraction of the number Machu
Camping at Choquequirao: Wilderness Travel
Picchu generates. Those who

decide to visit Choquequirao need to take a series of busses from Cusco and eventually begin the hike, stopping in

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