The Incan fortress Choquequirao sits on a mountain overlooking not one, but two river valleys. To get to the site requires two days' hard walking, and crossing the river Apurimac. The other river is Yanama, and the light filtering into the canyon in the late afternoon creates an ethereal effect. Sometimes Condors ride the air currents. The condor is one of the three sacred animals of the Incas, symbolizing the world of spirits. It is considered good luck to catch sight of one of these enormous birds.

The Yanama valley, tributary of the Apurimac, is part of the sacred landscape of Choquequirao. All mountains were considered sacred, especially those surrounding a place such as the fortress.