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Peru
Kuelap, "The City of the Clouds" |
Located in northeastern Peru in the Amazonas region, 72 km (44 miles) from the city of Chachapoyas, the regional capital, Kuelap, is an ancient stone fortress built strategically on a ridge looking out over the Utcubamba Valley. It is one of the most important archaeological monuments of the Americas. Kuelap was discovered in 1843. It was built around the 9th century by the pre-Inca culture of Chachapoyas, in the difficult terrain of the cloud forest. The citadel covers an area of around 6 hectares (over 14 acres) with some 420 circular buildings that include a watchtower and a castle. The defense walls are very impressive, reaching 25 meters (82 ft) in height, with three points of access shaped like funnels, so that only one person can enter at a time. |
Kuelap Fortress
Chachapoyas- Amazonas
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Kuelap includes an area for camping that provides spectacular views.The region's attractions include Leymebamba, where there is a community museum that exhibits valuable remains of the Chachapoyas culture. There is also a fascinating trail (15 hours by mule) to the mysterious Lake of the Condors (also called Lake of the Mummies), where a series of pre-Inca mausoleums stand high above the shore. Some 48km (5 hours by mule) northwest of Chachapoyas is the village of Shipata (2,760 masl / 9,055 ft) and the impressive vertical tombs of Karajia perched on the rock face facing the valley of Juscubamba. There are also remains of the ancient Chachapoyas and varied folk arts at Jalca Grande (2,890 masl / 9,482 ft). The best time of year to visit is between June and October, as it rarely rains then. Temperatures are temperate to cold.
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Roundhouse at
Chachapoyas -Amazonas |
Activities
Archaeology, eco-tourism, trekking, wildlife watching angling.
Recommendations
Acclimatization is necessary for the first few hours on arrival. Eat easily digestible food and drink coca tea to ward off high-altitude sickness |
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