31 Jan Treasure Quest

This is a true story that many people do not know whose beginning and end leads us to the core of Ecuador.

Shortly before the Spanish conquest of the Inka kingdom called Tahuantinsuyo (East of South America, from northern of Ecuador to northern of Chile). Governor Inca Huayna Capac had 2 children: Huascar and Atahualpa.

After the death of Huayna Capac in 1525 in Quito – Ecuador, he was succeeded by his son Huascar (1525 – 1532). Who during his reign faced the rebellion of his brother Atahualpa, who after defeating him at the Battle of Riobamba (Ecuador), became the last Inka Governor (1532 – 1533).

Atahualpa established the basis of his empire in Quito, with great acceptance by the Inka people.

The Spanish conquerors approached Atahualpa in a friendly manner and defined a plan to kidnap Atahualpa and claim a ransom treasure for his release by 2 rooms full of silver and 1 room full of gold.

But once the Spaniards received this fabulous ransom, they decided to kill Atahualpa in Cajamarca (North Peru) in 1532.

Rumiñahui – The great general of Atahualpa – to avoid the complete looting of the Inka’s treasures, gathered much of the remaining Inka’s treasure that was not given to Francisco Pizarro (head of the Spanish conquerors). Rumiñahui lead a warrior caravan to hide this treasure in the north of the Tahuantinsuyo Empire. Where it remains until these days.

Llanganates region was selected to hide the treasure of Atahualpa – south of Quito. It’s supposed to be hidden in the lagoon of a dull volcano.

The remains of the last Inka Atahualpa were buried somewhere near the town of Sigchos – Ecuador.

Several private expeditions have been interned in the inhospitable Llanganates region. Even though a big part of this region is an inaccessible place, archaeological evidence has been found there. And there are testimonies of people from populations near to Llanganates who asserted to have seen expeditioners who did find some ancient gold and silver jewels.

Currently Llanganates region is declared a National Park in Ecuador. Much of this region is inaccessible.

“Chaupi punchapi tutayaca  (nightfall in the middle of the day), so the chroniclers recorded Atahualpa’s death.”