The land around Chachapoyas in Peru’s northern Amazonas Region was once the cradle of civilization for the ancient Chachapoya People, and today still holds many natural, archaeological and cultural treasures that are a joy to explore.
Peru’s best-known Inca sites can sometimes overshadow the remarkable Chachapoya ruins found in the country’s north, and in fact it was the Inca Empire who conquered the Chachapoya in the late 15th century! Thankfully, some of their most impressive architecture, forts and temples remain.
There is a rich and fascinating cultural history here, one of ceremonies and beliefs, innovation and a warrior spirit that deserves its place alongside the iconic Inca Empire. And that’s not to mention the abundance of wildlife in wider Amazonas of waterfalls, nature reserves, and excellent cloud forest hiking routes that only add to the list of reasons to divert north, on your journey through Peru.
But what are the highlights of Chachapoyas, and how do you include the region when traveling with Atelier? Here we uncover the wonders of this enigmatic and lesser-explored area of Peru.
Though the city has a pretty central plaza, farmers’ market and plenty of authentic Peruvian restaurants to enjoy, the main reasons for visiting Chachapoyas are found away from town. The small but interesting Museo El Reino De Las Nubes is well worth a visit and is a great way to set the scene, ready for some of the archaeological sites you’ll see across the region.
Undoubtedly, the main attraction when visiting Chachapoyas is the Kuelap Fortress. These sprawling ancient ruins are one of the largest of their kind in the Americas and were once the center of the Chachapoya People, before falling into the hands of the Inca.
Positioned on a mountaintop in the Utcubamba River valley and protected by 25-meter-high stone walls, Kuelap has stood for over 1,000 years. You can reach this ancient wonder via the Kuelap cable car, which departs from Nuevo Tingo and travels from 2,000 meters to 3,000 meters above sea level on a journey that comes with the most incredible aerial views from start to finish. Wandering through the tight passageways and stairways of Kuelap, it’s easy to imagine going back in time to the city’s heyday and easier to be in awe of how it was built in such unforgiving terrain.
Described by some as the “Machu Picchu of the North” or “the impregnable fortress”, Kuelap was abandoned in 1532 after Spanish Conquistadors invaded Peru. Today, as testament to the ingenuity of ancient Chachapoya construction, the citadel remains remarkably intact with stone walls and pathways, ceremonial sites and over 500 dwellings still perfectly on show.
Kuelap is an evocative site, reflecting the epic cultural changes that occurred across the centuries in Peru, and its hilltop setting makes every exploration even more stunning! With leisurely travel to and from the site and interesting stops along the way, we recommend spending a whole day at Kuelap to fully admire this ancient treasure, left to us by the Chachapoya and Inca People.
Gocta Waterfall will have you spellbound by its majesty, a fact that transcends the ages as Peru’s tallest free-flowing cascade (the third highest in the world at 771 meters) has long been the subject of local folklore and legend.
A wonder of Mother Nature, this awe-inspiring spectacle becomes even more beautiful thanks to its magical location in the heart of an ancient cloud forest, surrounded by steep cliffs, densely packed trees and abundant plant life.
Around the falls you’ll also find outdoor adventures like rafting and kayaking plus endless wildlife/birdwatching walks and nature trails winding through rainforest and to elevated viewpoints, all just an hour by road from Chachapoyas city.
Gocta Waterfall is more than a natural wonder, it’s an integral part of ancient Chachapoyas culture and source of traditions that still exists to this day. And if time allows, we recommend extending your visit to discover the impressive Yumbilla Falls near Cuispes. This beautiful, stepped waterfall is hidden within a fantasy-like landscape that feels a world away from civilization.
Head deep into the pristine Utcubamba Valley, walk along scenic trails that pass grassy plains or cling to the hillside, and look up. There, tucked into a small and seemingly inaccessible cliffside ledge, you’ll see the six Sarcophagi of Karajía. These eerie 600-year-old beings are one of northern Peru’s ancient wonders, and their unexplained location as much as historical significance tells you why.
It’s believed that the upright Sarcophagi and narrow cave they guard were used as burial grounds for ancient Chachapoya chieftains, and though the original offerings inside the cave have long since been looted, you can still see human skulls fixed to two of the figures. The Sarcophagi of Karajía may sound morbid, but the burial rights of important individuals were a huge part of Chachapoya culture, making these individuals one of the best insights we have into their daily beliefs and practices.
For those brave enough, the nearby Cave of Quiocta was another important site of death rights for the Chachapoya, and is suitably atmospheric with its seismic stalactite and stalagmite formations.
Similar to Karajía and Quiocta, Pueblo de los Muertos is another important Archaeological site for honoring the dead during the Chachapoyas reign, and arguably even more scenic a setting too.
Roughly 24 miles from the city and clinging to the cliffside, this ancient site near the Utcubamba River has dozens of funerary structures, Sarcophagi, carvings and reliefs that are still being investigated by archaeologists, only adding to their mystique.
Unlike many other funerary and ceremonial sites, the Chachapoya Mausoleum of Revash was built to depict the homes and villages used by the deceased during their lifetimes. These colorful abodes, high up on a remote (and seemingly inaccessible) cliffside, are a poignant example of Chachapoya culture and the care taken to build, paint and protect these unique burial sites in honor of local chieftains.
To get to remote Revash, which is around 37 miles south of Chachapoyas, you can either take the scenic 2-3 hour hike from the village of Yerbabuena in the Utcubamba Valley, or drive to San Bortolo for a less-strenuous 40-minute walk. The reward is well worth the effort either way!
Travel 46miles south from Chachapoyas and you reach the Leymebamba Museum, found in a serene rural setting amongst the countryside that surrounds Leymebamba Village. Inside, a huge collection of mummified Inca and Chachapoya remains put the Leymebamba Museum among South America’s most remarkable exhibitions, of its type. Many of the 200+ mummies here still had skin and hair intact when they were discovered along with figurines, offerings, and ancient records kept by the Inca.
The museum is reason to visit in its own right, yet the nearby orchid gardens and hummingbirds make Leymebamba even more memorable.
The capital of Amazonas Region, Chachapoyas is located in Peru’s northwest and remains comparably unexplored by tourists thanks to its relatively remote location. The easiest way to get to Chachapoyas is via one of the regular flights with ATSA Airlines from Lima, which operate 3-4 times per week. Or, if flying from Iquitos in the Amazon, you can touchdown in Tarapoto and drive the scenic roads west.
The journey from Tarapoto may be beautiful but it’s long, taking roughly 8 hours, so an overnight stop is advisable. A shorter option is the LATAM Airlines flight from Lima to Jaen, which then involves a 4-hour drive to Chachapoyas. It is also possible to drive all the way from Lima or the nearby towns of Chiclayo and Cajamarca, though in the interests of maximizing your time in the area we’d recommend a direct flight from the capital and onwards to your hotel.
Gocta Natura Reserve. This entire area and eco-friendly accommodation are the long-term passion project of Rocío Flórez, who has ensured Gocta remains a center of cultural and environmental preservation. While staying at the charming Gocta Natura Reserve you’ll have instant access to the Gocta Waterfalls, as well as many of the conservation projects being accessible to witness first-hand.
Gocta Lodge. Wonderful views, an outdoor swimming pool and sun patio, and just a handful of well-equipped rooms—Gocta Lodge places you in the heart of the region and with panoramic vistas to make every moment memorable. Thanks to its location, you can enjoy all of the activities around Chachapoya from here, with have a clean and bright hotel to come home to each evening.
La Xalca Hotel. If looking to stay in Downtown Chachapoyas, La Xalca Hotel is an excellent option. With colonial-style wooden balconies, exposed beams and tiles, La Xalca has a traditional atmosphere and feels from a bygone age. The property is also well located to explore local areas of interest, and the restaurants of Chachapoyas.
Above all, it’s important to make the time for a full exploration of Chachapoyas. It’s true that you can fit a lot into a short trip, but the time required to access this amazing area and some of the most important sites to explore warrant a longer stay, during your journey through Peru.
As well as the archaeology, Chachapoyas is known and loved for its wildlife—especially birdwatching—with hummingbirds, Cock of the Rocks and the Chachapoyas antpitta all popular species to spot. Above all, birdwatching and wildlife walks around Chachapoyas are a great excuse to enjoy the outdoors and explore this pristine wilderness without time pressures.
April to December, the dry season, is a good time to visit Chachapoyas and access all the archaeological sites, though during other times of the year when rainfall is higher the Amazonas waterfalls, rivers, and plant life are even more impressive.
We recommend packing outdoor gear, waterproofs and sturdy hiking shoes no matter when you visit, as being in amongst the landscape and plentiful ruins will make your visit to Chachapoyas the best it can be.
Whatever your interests or group size, speak to the travel specialists at Atelier and they will craft your dream tailormade tour to Peru, today.
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