the Aracari Blog

With Machu Picchu tours back in full swing this summer, travellers are flocking back to Peru’s  archaeological showpiece. Yet those who have already experienced the Inca gem may be yearning to uncover some more of Peru’s historic and cultural sites.

Chachapoyas, situated deep in Peru’s northern sierra, is fast becoming popular amongst visitors to the country; not least because it is a region steeped in history, peppered with the remnants of powerful pre-Inca civilizations, and containing vast swathes of stunning rugged landscapes, defined chiefly by “cloud forests”. From the town of Chachapoyas in northern Peru, an almost unlimited number of sites of natural beauty and historical importance can be accessed. Below are some of the key ones.

Gocta

The Gocta Cataracts is a good starting point for travelers in the region. Amongst the tallest waterfalls in the world, this is just a short trip from Chacha (as the town is affectionately called by locals) and is a stupendous twin torrent of water plummeting from 771 metres (2530 feet). A 2 hour trek from the village of Cocachimba through rural pastures and forest will take you right beneath the impressive cascades, allowing you to marvel at the water falling from high above – an ideal day trip for initiating yourself with the region’s amazing natural sites.

Laguna de los Condores

Another area of stunning and pristine scenery, the Laguna de los Condores is shrouded in the mystery of its history – as well as with the low and dispersed drooping clouds characteristic of the region. Above the crystal lake stands a row of burial houses where more than 200 Inca and pre-Inca mummies were discovered in 1997, leading to a great deal of people making the long trek to reach this remote lagoon. The houses had remained untouched for half a century, built into the side of the high limestone cliff and hidden by trees. Although the journey here can be a long one, the jaw-dropping beauty of the lake and its surroundings will be reward enough who come here.

Leymebamba Museum

Also in the region, the small and peaceful town of Leymebamba has a delightful museum displaying the mummies that were uncovered at the Laguna de los Condores. These are accompanied by the various trinkets with which they had been buried, such as ceramics, textiles, gourds, statues, wooden plates and cups. The museum was built using local materials in a traditional architectural style. Aside from the mummy display, the museum has two other halls, one demonstrating modern lifestyle in the region and the other dedicated to scientific and natural expositions. It is surrounded by a garden with abundant plants and flowers that include 100 different native species of Orchid, making any time spent here peaceful and reflective.

Kuelap

No Chachapoyas tour could be complete without a trip to Kuelap. This immense fortress atop a high vantage point is a remarkable testimony to the Chachapoyas culture – also known as “the Cloud People” – from whom the region takes its name.  Using 3 times as much stone as the Egyptian pyramids and having been built around the year 500 AD, this pre-Inca ruin makes for some exciting exploration through its overgrown and complex interior, which contains the partially restored remnants of a Chachapoyan village. Moreover, with the ruins still relatively undiscovered by travelers to Peru, you will more often than not have the whole place to yourself. This only adds to the feeling that you are exploring your very own lost city.

To find out more, Aracari can help you to travel to one or many of these places of interest and more: check out our sample Chachapoyas itinerary or our Chachapoyas photos for some ideas, or let us know wherever you might like to visit in the region.

Having local operators and friends in the area, and with knowledge of the best Chachapoyas accommodation, there is no better way to spend time here in comfort and with the excellent service expected of Aracari. Moreover, with newly operating flights linking Chachapoyas to Chiclayo and Lima, this region is becoming not so inaccessible as it was before.