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Places in Peru

Amazonas

Quelap - Chachapoyas The department of Amazonas is famous for its cloud forests, areas with stunning microclimates and whose intense humidity favors the exuberant growth of plants like orchids and bromeliads and animals like the spectacled bear and the Andean cock of the rock.

The capital, Chachapoyas, full of narrow streets and containing a large Main Square, maintains beautiful mansions and lovely balconies as evidence of its Colonial past. This is the launching site for excursions to the fabulous citadel of Kuélap, built by the Chachapoyas, a fierce people that for years resisted the expansion of the Incas.

Located at the top of rocky cliffs and guarded by a gigantic defensive wall, Kuélap contains in its interior circular compartments with decorative friezes. There are also other places in the area you can also visit like the Lake of the Condors, also known as Lake of the Mummies, the Chinata Falls, and the Karajía Sarcophagi, amazing two-meter high clay tombs placed on the side of a rocky mountain.

Chachapoyas

The cradle of the ancient Chachapoya civilization, the city was overrun by the Incas in the fifteenth century, and decades later, after the Spanish Conquest, was founded once more by the Spaniards with the name of Chachapoyas. The main square andthe narrow pebbled streets that have been preserved until today date back to these times. Some 70 km west lies the fortress of Kuélap, the bastion of the Chachapoya tribe, a citadel whose access is through narrow walled passages like sloping funnels which helped to keep out invaders.

Tourist Attraction

Main Square, city of Chachapoyas
It is surrounded by beautiful colonial homes with traditional balconies. In many cases, these houses have become hostels, restaurants, and businesses. The main attractions are the Palacio Municipal (City Hall) and the house where Toribio Rodriguez de Mendoza, a predecessor to independence, was born; today, it serves as the rectory and diocese headquarters. In the square, you can appreciate the Republican style bronze fountain.

Plazuela de la Independencia (Independence Square)
Jiron Amazonas, 3rd block
Built to commemorate the battle of Higos Urco, where the patriots, led by Colonel Jose Matos, fought and defeated the Spanish forces.

Pozo de Yanayacu (Yanayacu Well)
Located on the hill, Cerro Luya Urco, 1 km from the Main Square (15 minutes on foot)
The original name of the well was “Fuente Cuyana” (Cuyana Springs) and according to tradition, single men that arrived in the city and drank its waters remained forever, attracted by the irresistible charm of its beautiful women. Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo came to this place and, on a rock, sculpted the figures of a miter and a crosier, and the year.

Yalape Archeological Remains
21 km / 13 miles south of Chachapoyas (40 minutes by car)
Located at 2700 masl / 8858 fasl, this Chachapoya archeological complex dates back to 1100 to 1300 A.D. The area is calculated to be four hectares and features the classic circular constructions decorated with rhomboidal and zigzag friezes in high relief.

Laguna de los Cóndores (Lake of the Condors)
93 km / 58 miles south of Chachapoyas (3 hours and 30 minutes by car) is the town of Leymebamba. From there, it is another 45 km / 28 miles to the lake (12 hours on foot and by mule).

You will need to hire a guide.It is also known as the Laguna de las Momias (Lake of the Mummies) since more than 200 mummies were found embedded on the side of a cliff located on its shores, all in good condition despite the hot and humid climate of the area. Along with the mummies around 3000 objects belonging to the Chachapoya and Incan cultures were found. The caves are decorated with prehistoric rock paintings.

Leymebamba Site Museum
Avenida Austria, Leymebamba. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 9:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.The city of Leymebamba is 93 km / 58 miles south of Chachapoyas (3 hours and 30 minutes by car). The museum is a 10 km / 6 miles walk from the city.
This modern museum exhibits the mummies and the objects found at the Lake of the Condors as well as textiles, ceramics, and weapons found in the area.

Bongará: Pomacochas and Chinata

Laguna de Pomacochas (Lake Pomacochas)
You arrive at the town of Pomacochas, 84 km / 52 miles north of Chachapoyas (3 hours by car). From there, a 1 km / 0,6 miles walk brings you to the lake (15 minutes on foot).
The mere is 2858 meters / 9377 feet long, 2440 meters / 8005 feet wide, and located at 2150 masl / 7054 fasl. It is fed by subterranean waters, and the color is dark green at its deepest location (80 meters / 262 feet). The surrounding flora includes totora reeds, yedra bells, and fox tails. Among the representative animals are herons and grebes.

Chinata Waterfall
7 km / 4 miles away from the town of Pedro Ruiz Gallo, you will arrive at the District of San Carlos(20 minutes by car). From there, a 12 km / 7 miles walk takes you to the waterfall (2 hours).
This waterfall is approximately 580 meters / 1903 feet, and its name means “Spring that falls from heaven”. Abundant vegetation grows all around it, typical of the rim of the jungle, mostly orchids, ferns, and moss.

Luya: Kuélap and Karajía

Catarata y Aguas Termales de Corontachaca (Corontachaca Waterfall and Hot Springs)
5 km / 3 miles from Pedro Ruiz Gallo (10 minutes by car)
This is an 80 meter / 262 feet waterfall. One side has formed a small hot spring of salt and sulfuric water. Two flows of heated water fall from the rocks at a rate of 2 liters per minute.

Kuelap Fortress
72 km / 45 miles southeast of Chachapoyas (3 hours and 30 minutes by 4x4 vehicle)
This impressive stone fortress was built by the Chachapoya people around 800 A.D. It is located 3000 masl / 9843 fasl and is 6 hectares in surface. There are three defensive platforms; the first is 20 meters / 66 feet high and 680 meters / 2231 feet long. Its three entrances are walled alley-ways that narrow as they climb up to the following two platforms. Inside, there are 420 circular buildings decorated with rhomboidal and zigzag friezes.

Karajia Sarcophagi
48 km / 30 miles northeast of Chachapoyas (2 hours by car and another 20 minutes on foot)
These coffins are pre-Inca tombs, some 1000 years old, implanted at the top of a cliff. They are 2 meters / 7 feet tall, sculpted in mud, and are decorated with geometric motives. They probably served to house the remains of the supreme tribal leaders.

Bagua

Numparket Waterfall
40 km / 25 miles north of Bagua (3 hours by car and another 3 hours by mule)
This beautiful waterfall of some 90 meters / 295 feet descends into a 20 m2 / 215 feet2 pool.

Pongo de Rentema (Rentama Narrows)
Take the Jaen-Bagua highway to gain access, 14 km / 9 miles from Bagua (40 minutes)

The narrows runs parallel to the Bagua-Imazita highway and is 2 km / 1,2 miles wide at its widest point. Nearby, the Marañon, Utcubamba, and Chinchipe rivers merge together.

Distances from the city of Chachapoyas to the following cities:

Bagua (Province of Bagua) 162 km (101 miles) / 3 hours and 45 minutes
Jumbilla(Province of Bongara) 130 km (81 miles) / 3 hours and 30 minutes
Santa Mariade Nieva(Province of Condorcanqui) 570 km (354 miles) / 7 hours and 30 minutes by land to Imazita and 5 hours by boat to Nieva
Lamud (Province of Luya) 29 km (18 miles) / 1 hour
Mendoza(Province of Rodriguez de Mendoza) 84 km (52 miles) / 3 hours
Bagua Grande (Province of Utcubamba) 92 km (57 miles) / 3 hours

Usefu Information

Altitude
Capital: Chachapoyas (2334 masl / 7657 fasl)
Lowest point: 230 masl / 755 fasl (Santa Maria de Nieva)
Highest point: 3450 masl / 11319 fasl (Chuquibamba)

Climate
The city of Chachapoyas has a temperate climate with rains in the summer months (December-April). The average annual maximum temperature is 23ºC (68ºF) and the minimum is 13ºC (51ºF).

Access Routes
By land:
Lima-Chiclayo-Chachapoyas: 1409 km / 876 miles (21 hours by car)
Lima-Trujillo-Cajamarca-Chachapoyas: 1716 km / 1066 miles (30 hours by car)
Tarapoto-Moyobamba-Chachapoyas: 361 km / 224 miles (7 to 8 hours by car)
By air: At the moment, there are no flights available.

Distances From The City Of Chachapoyas
Bagua (Province of Bagua) 162 km (101 miles) / 3 hours and 45 minutes
Jumbilla (Province of Bongara) 130 km (81 miles) / 3 hours and 30 minutes
Santa Maria de Nieva (Province of Condorcanqui) 570 km (354 miles) / 7 hours and 30 minutes by land to Imazita and 5 hours by boat to Nieva
Lamud (Province of Luya) 29 km (18 miles) / 1 hour
Mendoza (Province of Rodriguez de Mendoza) 84 km (52 miles) / 3 hours
Bagua Grande (Province of Utcubamba) 92 km (57 miles) / 3 hours

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