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Perched high in the Andean mountains of northern Peru, the ancient city of Chachapoyas beckons adventurers and history enthusiasts alike. This enchanting destination, named after the Chachapoya civilization that once thrived here, offers a wealth of archaeological wonders, breathtaking landscapes, and cultural experiences.

As you journey through the mist-shrouded cloud forest, prepare to immerse yourself in a world of captivating history and natural beauty. In this article, we’ll delve into the places you need to visit when staying at Chachapoyas.

While traveling and discovering cities with hidden treasures like Chachapoyas you may need to use one of our mobile phone plans for tourists to have a tourist SIM card. In order to understand and find new adventures, here in PeruSIM.

Some amazing places you would love to visit while in Chachapoyas are : 

Kuélap

Located atop the Andes, one of the prime tourist destinations in Amazonas is the enigmatic Archaeological Complex of Kuélap. This fortress boasts towering walls that reach over 20 meters in height, encompassing 505 stone houses. Additionally, outside the fortress, you can explore up to 420 houses, many of which captivate with their distinctive circular design.

In 2017, a significant change transformed the Kuélap experience: the introduction of a cable car that whisks visitors to the city in just 20 minutes (previously, a five-hour hike or a two-hour car ride was necessary). Since then, the fortress has witnessed a tourism boom, garnering increasing global recognition.

Getting to Kuélap involves taking a bus from the Chachapoyas bus terminal to Nuevo Tingo, an approximately one-hour journey. At Nuevo Tingo, you’ll find the cable cars that provide a remarkable ride with awe-inspiring vistas, transporting you to the fortress.

The Sonche Canyon

The remarkable contrast of landscapes is a prominent feature of the tourist attractions in Amazonas. Located just a short 20-minute drive north of Chachapoyas, the department’s capital city, you will discover the Sonche Canyon. This awe-inspiring site boasts an impressive depth of nearly 1000 meters and stretches for approximately eleven kilometers, making it unsuitable for those with a fear of heights.

The location itself is truly spectacular: perched at an elevation of 2620 meters above sea level, you’ll find a lookout point where you can sit back and relish one of the most breathtaking vistas in the Amazonas region.

Getting to the Sonche Canyon is relatively straightforward. In Chachapoyas’ Plaza de Armas, you’ll come across various shared taxis that transport visitors to the Huancas Viewpoint, situated at the pinnacle of the canyon. To return, you can follow the same route, but it’s essential to keep track of the time, as the last shared taxi departs from Huancas around 5:00 PM.

Gocta Waterfall

Together with Kuélap, another remarkable tourist destination in Amazonas is the Gocta Waterfall. With a towering height of 771 meters, this waterfall is among the tallest worldwide and provides visitors with an unmatched natural setting.

Aside from its impressive elevation, the primary attraction of this waterfall is the trek required to reach the point where the water meets the ground. Throughout the three-hour hike, you will encounter a dense and verdant environment, spot typical bird species like the Andean cock-of-the-rock, and, of course, enjoy diverse perspectives of the waterfall.

Once you reach your destination, be sure to close your eyes and immerse yourself in the captivating experience of Gocta’s water gracefully descending upon you. It truly is a one-of-a-kind experience!

Getting to the Gocta Waterfall involves taking a bus from Chachapoyas to Cocahuayco (approximately an hour away from the city) and then a motorcycle ride to Cocachimba, where you can spend the night. From Cocachimba, embark on the three-hour hike to the waterfall.

Sarcophagi of Karajia

The Sarcophagi of Karajía, another intriguing site and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Amazonas, beckons curious visitors. Inhabited by the Chachapoyas culture from 900 to 1470, this region held great reverence for the deceased, particularly those from the highest social class. 

To safeguard their remains, the Chachapoyas constructed remarkable sarcophagi in the likeness of human figures, towering over two and a half meters in height. These structures served the purpose of protecting the departed and providing them eternal rest.

Additionally, when exploring the Sarcophagi of Karajía, a stop at the Quiocta Caves is a must. These dimly lit caves, situated 560 meters deep, boast an array of stalactites and stalagmites, as well as human skulls and other remains. These caves also functioned as a burial site for the Chachapoyas. Will you dare to venture into their depths?

How to reach the Karajía Sarcophagi: If you prefer to travel independently, you can take a bus from Chachapoyas to Luya and, from there, transfer to another bus bound for Cruzpata. At Cruzpata, you will find a booth where you can purchase the entrance ticket and commence a 25-minute walk that leads you to the sarcophagi.

Lagoon of Condors 

For enthusiasts of lengthy hikes amidst enchanting landscapes, embarking on the trek to the Laguna de los Cóndores is an essential experience during your visit to Chachapoyas. Situated at an elevation of 2600 meters above sea level, this destination can only be reached by trekking for 10 to 12 hours, a journey that is absolutely worthwhile for its breathtaking vistas.

The Laguna de los Cóndores ( Lagoon of Condors) is also known as Laguna de las Momias ( Lagoon of Mummies) , as it stands as one of only two Inca burial sites in all of Peru, surrounded by ancient structures housing funerary bundles. Upon reaching the lagoon, you can board a boat, cross its waters, and explore the intriguing mausoleums where hundreds of mummies were discovered and later relocated to the Leymebamba Museum.

How to reach the Lake of the Condors: The starting point for the hike is located 93 km away from Chachapoyas, in the district of Leymebamba. You can reach this point by car or bus and then commence the 45 km trek to the Laguna de los Cóndores.

Finally, we know that you have to keep communication with your relatives and friends, that you need to be able to orient yourself in new cities, that you might need help with translation and that you might need to search for restaurants or hotels. That’s why with PeruSIM you can buy a SIM card including the data plan of your need without having to worry about high roaming costs.

Fuente de imagen principal : https://transeuropatours.com.pe/peru_destinos_nacionales_chachapoyas.html