Amazonas

Chachapoyas is the capital of the Amazonas region, and it is located in northwestern Peru, this city is a treasure trove of natural surprises, such as its famous orchids, and also cultural, for its colonial and republican style mansions.

Photo by Joerg Steber on istockphoto

Chachapoyas is close to the impressive Gocta waterfalls and the archaeological wonder of Kuelap; and in the center of the city, the Plaza Mayor is a spectacle surrounded by beautiful buildings with typical colonial balconies.

In Chachapoyas there is much to discover, to do and to preserve, thanks to its friendly people who are always willing to show us their beautiful city.

Good to know

Location

Highlands, jungle and northern Amazon jungle of Peru; Capital. Chachapoyas.
Altitude

2335 meters above sea level.
Climate

It is temperate, moderately rainy and with moderate thermal amplitude.
Seasons

Hot weather (mid-may to mid-october), mild (august 24 to october 15), warm (october), cool (january 26 to july 15), and rainy (mid-december to mid-april).
Indispensable to bring

Comfortable sneakers or trekking shoes, raincoats, warm clothes for the evenings (jackets, coats, scarves, hats), sun block, insect repellent, cash, necessary medicines.
Distance to other cities

Chachapoyas - Lima: 653 km.
Fun fact

The name of Chachapoyas comes from the Quechua word "Sachapuyos", which in Spanish means "Men of the mist".

Main tourist attractions

Gocta Waterfall

The Gocta waterfall, also known as “La Chorrera”, is an impressive waterfall that measures 771 meters. This natural charm is located specifically in the district of Valera, near Cocachimba and San Pablo. In recent years, it has become a preferred route for extreme travelers.

To reach the pool of the waterfall is necessary to make a journey through the vast valley of cloud forest that surrounds it. The total journey takes 5 hours and a half to 6 hours from the village of Cocachimba, from where it starts.

Fortress of Kuelap

It is a place surrounded by beautiful landscapes. The fortress at first sight looks like an impenetrable place, since it is covered with walls and cliffs on three of its four sides. Together with the surrounding landscape, the natural spectacle offered by the place is unforgettable for any traveler.

Mausoleums of Revash

This funerary sanctuary is located in the district of Santo Tomás, province of Luya. They were built by the Chachapoyas, incredibly on the rocky wall of a steep ravine at 2,800 meters above sea level. According to archaeologists, these would be replicas of the houses where the inhabitants of the area lived, but its location and history make it a mysterious and unmissable place to visit.

Sarcophagi of Karajia

It is located 51 km northeast of Chachapoyas, at the Cruzpata community, from where you walk 2 km to reach this tourist attraction. Also called Purunmachos with anthropomorphic shape, they reach 2 meters high. They were built with small stones joined with mud mortar combined with straw, presenting a fine plaster on the outside, presenting layers of painting both facial and body in red ochre and white smoke.

Each sarcophagus was destined to bury a single individual (mummified and placed in a fetal position, wrapped with cotton cloths and tied with reed or cabuya ropes, and then placed facing forward on a deer hide).