Peru's Best Kept Secret

Chachapoyas is truly Peru’s best kept secret. Its lush vegetation, gently mountainous terrain, and impressive archeology hidden in the undergrowth justly make it Indiana Jones country. As recent archaeological research points to, Chachapoyas is at a cross roads between the Amazonian rainforest, the Andes and the coast. Not coincidentally the three gateway cities to the Chachapoyas area are Chiclayo to the west and toward the coast; Cajamarca to the southwest in the Andes; and Tarapoto in the jungle to the east. Hence, no matter where you’re coming from, visiting Chachapoyas entails a tedious overland journey. The upside is seeing a region of tremendous cultural significance within some of the most magnificent, wild and unspoilt landscapes on the American continent.

If you are not into overland journeys, this destination is not for you as it takes 10-12 hours by road from the closest airport served by LAN airlines, our preferred airline in Peru and one with an impeccable punctuality and safety record. If you don’t mind the “overlanding”, you’ll find that the intensity of this experience is definitely worth it. We have scouted the area to ensure you will visit the best of the region in a short time in maximum comfortable and in the most authentic way possible. All driving is done in the best available 4WD vehicles; you’ll always be accompanied by a fluent English speaking guide who lives in Chachapoyas and knows the area inside out; the guide carries a satellite phone at all times for your safety on the road; and you’ll enjoy private and exclusive accommodation to Aracari.
Chachapoyas will leave you at a loss for words. Please let Aracari arrange a visit to one of the most awe inspiring and evocation destinations in South America.

Please note that we can tailor this itinerary to your needs (within reason) and we have an alternative itinerary entering the Chachapoyas area from Chiclayo, in the event you are visiting the Northern coast. Please inquire and we will be happy to show it to you.

Good time to travel: This itinerary is possible from May to early October. The area is very remote and the rainy season very wet, hence there is a high risk that roads will become interrupted during the rainy season.

Day 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Flight Lima- Cajamarca, with LAN. Flight duration 1 hour.  Overnight Costa del Sol, a modern hotel overlooking the Plaza de Armas: the scene of the fateful encounter between Atawalpa and Francisco Pizarro and the beginning of the end of the Inca Empire. Briefing by your guide at the hotel. Time to explore the city and roam around the lovely Plaza.  In the afternoon we recommend you have a treatment in the Laguna Seca Hotel in the outskirts of Cajamarca. This was the location where Atawalpa was taking the waters before his fateful encounter with Pizarro.

A stunning journey that starts with a 3 hour drive to Celendin, famous for the straw hats made there.  Above Celendin we arrive at the lip of the Marañon Canyon.  It is a 2400m descent to get to the river at Balsas.  Crossing the small suspension bridge we then start our ascent to the eastern side of the Marañon Canyon.  We drive up a total of 2800m through mango plantations, semi arid cloud forest and high pasture land.  Another 1.5hrs from the high point and we arrive at Kentipata where we spend the night. Overnight Lodging near Leymebamba.

Day 3

Leymebamba Museum

A leisurely day at the Leymebamba Museum filled with artifacts and mummies found at the Laguna de los Condores in 1997. We can take short walks down to village of Leymebamba observing village and farm life on the way or see the cloud forest. At Kentipata there are hummingbirds to watch whilst enjoying coffee and cake, including the “Marvellous Spatuletail” unique to northern Peru. Overnight Leymebamba.

Drive north through the Utcubamba Valley to Tingo (1.5 hours).  Here a road takes us up to Kuelap. You need to walk 30 minutes to access the site. The towering walls and hundreds of roundhouses capped by the cloud forest are at 3,000 meters (9,900 feet) above sea level. Kuelap is the largest ancient stone structure in South America.  Key features are narrow entrances, ceremonial buildings, high walls and rock reliefs.  After our visit we drive back to the Utucbamba Valley and to the Casa de Doña Lola where we spend the night. This is a cosy and family run B&B in the midst of lush gardens.  Total drive today: 3 hours.

Today we head further north and visit the sarcophagi of Karajia.  We drive via the village of Luya to Cruz Pata (2.5 hours).  We walk down 40mins to arrive at the viewing area.  The painted sarcophagi are perched on a cliff ledge and are over 2m tall.  There are other sarcophagi to see at the same site as well.   Walk back uphill 1hour to transport and carry on to the city Chachapoyas (2 hours).  Night in Hostal Casa Vieja. La Casa Vieja is a charming hotel housed in an old mansion in the centre of Chachapoyas. Lovely old furniture decorates the rooms which have been thoroughly modernized. Total drive today: 5 hours.

Taking the road that heads north from Chachapoyas we head down the Utcubamba Valley to Pedro Ruiz.  From Pedro Ruiz we head east stopping along the way to see the Marvellous Spatuletail Information Centre.  Further on we drive through the cloud forest of Abra Patricia and drop down to the Alto Mayo plain where they grow rice.  We stop for lunch at Yacumama where we can take a short walk by small lakes  and through forest whiles they prepare the food.  After lunch we carry on to Tarapoto. Overnight Hotel Rio Shilcayo.

Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Lima with LAN (1 hour). In Lima, transfer to your hotel.

TWO OPTIONALS FOR WALKERS

Leaving early from Chachapoyas we drive 1.5 hours to the village of Cocachimba where we start out trek to the waterfall of Gocta.  This waterfall, though known for many years, was only recently measured in 2006 and found to be the third highest in the world.  The trek goes along the side of a valley through sugar cane fields and into forest that is home to the yellow-tailed woolly monkey, mountain sloth and the magnificent cock-of-the-rock.  With glimpses of the waterfall along the way we arrive at the base of the highest fall after 3 hours.  Return to Cocachimba and on to Chachapyas.  Night in Hostal Casa Vieja.

We drive to Yerbabuena (45mins) and then follow a side valley for 15 minutes where we meet the horses for our horseback ride to Revash.  We ride uphill for 1.5 hours for a close-up view of the row of colorful cliff tombs. This extremely photogenic site is perched on a yellow cliff and the tombs are like mini houses with red pictographs dating back to 1200 AD.  Ride/walk downhill to the vehicle and return to Casa de Doña Lola for the night. (Note: Travelers must assume the risks of horseback riding and be informed that riding helmets will not be provided.)