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Chachapoyas, Peru:
Travel Guide

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Destination Peru Chachapoya Stairway Kuelap Fortress
Peru Chachapoya Stairway Kuelap Fortress

Introduction

Chachapoyas is the oldest Spanish town to the east of the Peruvian Andes, and is the capital of the Amazonas Region of Peru, priding itself on its agriculture industry of sugar cane, orchids, and coffee.  It shares a name with the infamous Chachapoyas culture, or the “Cloud Warriors”, who are known for their fortified hilltop fortresses and tombs that were built into the inaccessible cliffsides. Although they were conquered by the Incas, their name survives in the ancient settlement of Chachapoyas.

Peru Destinations Chachapoyas Map

Where is Chachapoyas Located?

As Chachapoyas is situated in the northern Peruvian mountains and it’s a reasonable distance from the Peruvian coast, it hasn’t always been the most accessible town. However, now it’s served by buses from Chiclayo and Cajamarca, northern coastal Peruvian cities, and even receives domestic flights into its tiny airport.

Buses from Chiclayo take about 10 hours and 20 minutes and can cost anywhere from US$14 to US$50. The town, Cajamarca, is a little closer and would only take 8 hours on the bus with an approximate ticket price of US$23.

The distance between Cajamarca and Chachapoyas is only about 319.3 km (198.40 mi) is a drive of about 5 hours and would cost about US$48 to US$70 in fuel.

The fastest way to get to Chachapoyas is via plane from Lima. Tickets are around US$100 one way, depending on the time of the year, and a flight takes about 1 and a half hours.

Destination Peru Chachapoya Plaza De Armas
Destination Peru Chachapoyas Plaza De Armas

Climate As Well As Elevation

Due to its elevation as well as being located in the Amazon rainforest, its climate is best described as subtropical highland and forever humid. Chachapoyas’ average annual temperature is around 20°C (68°F) with relative humidity around 74%, although the temperature has been known to fall to 2°C (35.6°F) during the night.

Visitors should be prepared for rainy days and high precipitation. Although the average highs and lows vary remarkably little throughout the year at 20°C (68°F) and 9.2°C (48.6°F) respectively, the best time of the year to visit would be between May and October during the dry season.

Locations Worth Seeing

There are many iconic and unique places to visit in and around the city and even just seeing the original Spanish colonial buildings are worth the visit.
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Peru Chachapoyas Gocta Waterfall

Gocta Waterfall

Gocta Waterfall is Peru’s tallest free-falling waterfall and one of the highest in the world at 771 meters (2,530 ft) with only two drops. It was only discovered reasonably recently in 2002 by an outsider, although it has been appreciated by locals for centuries. Improved infrastructure and organized tours have made visits to this impressive display of nature easier than ever before.
Peru Chachapoyas Kuelap Fortress

Kuelap Fortress

Kuelap Fortress, built by the Chachapoyas culture around the 6th century AD, sits at 3,000 meters with breathtaking views of Utcubamba Valley. The 15-hectare site includes 420 circular stone dwellings and notable structures like the “Inkwell” and Pueblo Alto’s 7-meter tower, showcasing ancient architectural brilliance.
Peru Chachapoyas Karajia Sarcophag

Karajia Sarcophagi

Seven 2.5-meter-tall sarcophagi, built by the Chacapoyas culture, guard a river gorge. Named purunmachus, these clay structures feature white paint, yellow ochre, and red pigments, showcasing unique human skulls atop sold clay heads. Located 48 km northwest of Chacapoyas, they reveal Peru’s hidden history.
Destination Peru Chachapoya Cloud Warriors
Destination Peru Chachapoyas Cloud Warriors

Things That Can Be Seen

Even just visiting the city itself is a blast from the past as it still sports its wide colonial casonas and roofs made of tiles from its inception, but, in contrast, huge wooded mountains surround around the city. During the rainy season, these mountains are covered with a thick fog which may be why the city shares its name with the “Cloud Warriors” or another interpretation could be “mount of haze” from the Quechua word sachapuyos.

Destination Peru Chachapoya Tamal
Destination Peru Chachapoyas Tamal

Notable Points of Interest

Food & Cuisine

The food in Chachapoyas is renowned to be exquisite, with many great options found around the main plaza. Many cafes offer tamales, sandwiches, coffee, and fresh juice. For a cheaper option, there are several bakeries located throughout the town that offer a variety of breads and, better yet, the market located a block north of the central plaza offers countless fresh fruit and vegetables.

Of course, there are several restaurants that offer traditional Peruvian meals, such as chicharron or trout, and others that offer more Western-style foods like burgers and pizza. No matter what, visitors will be satisfied while enjoying the laid-back nature of the city.

The History of Chachapoyas

The city of Chachapoyas was founded on September 5, 1538 by the Spanish conquistador Alonso de Alvarado, but is also an ancient settlement of the Chachapoyas culture and then the Incas. It was officially named San Juan de la Frontera de los Chachapoyas (Saint John of the Frontier of the Chachapoyas) and had several changes of location due to climate, disease and lack of defenses against rebelling local groups. Eventually, in 1545, it settled in its current location at 2,334 meters (7657.5 ft) above sea level in northeastern Peru.

Destination Peru Chachapoya Lost City Kuelap
Peru Chachapoya Lost City Kuelap
Destination Peru Chachapoyas Cathedral Plaza De Armas Square
Destination Peru Chachapoyas Cathedral Plaza De Armas Square
Peru Chachapoyas Gocta Waterfall
Peru Chachapoyas Gocta Waterfall
Peru Chachapoyas Luya Urco Lookout
Peru Chachapoyas Luya Urco Lookout
Peru Chachapoyas Plaza De Armas Square
Peru Chachapoyas Plaza De Armas Square
Peru Chachapoyas Stairway Kuelap
Peru Chachapoyas Stairway Kuelap

Which activities can you do in Chachapoyas?

Archeological Museum “Gilberto Tenorio Ruiz”:

This is a small museum located in the center of the city displaying several cultural items representing the Incan and Andean area cultures. Artifacts displayed include photographs, ceramics, and other natural materials.

Luya Urco Lookout:

The Condor Cross viewpoint in Chachapoyas is a picturesque place, about 1 kilometer from the city’s Plaza de Armas, with an elevation change of approximately 90 meters. Visitors can take the Salamanca Route to the east, where they will find a staircase going up. Along the way, there is an ancient well called the Yanayacu Well, which is believed to have been built in honor of Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo, who, according to legend, miraculously brought forth water during a drought. Continuing upward, a small park offers panoramic views of Chachapoyas and the surrounding mountains.

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