Kingdom of Chachapoyas

Arrival at Chachapoyas Airport, where we will be met and transferred to the hotel. The airport is located around 15 minutes from the city centre.

Chachapoyas - Cruz Pata - Luya - Chachapoyas. This morning we depart for the village of Cruz Pata, gateway to the funerary site of Karajía. En route we pause to enjoy a panoramic view of the Plaza de Armas of Luya. Cruz Pata - also known as the Meseta de las Cruces (Plateau of the Crosses) - marks the starting point of our short journey to Karajía. From here we walk or ride by horse for approximately 30 minutes to reach the site.

We will see the remarkable Sarcophagi of Karajía, created by the pre-Inca Chachapoyas culture. These striking anthropomorphic figures - built from stone, wood and clay - stand up to 2.5 metres tall and are unique for their monumental - size and careful craftsmanship. Positioned high on a sheer cliff face, their difficult-to-reach location has helped preserve them in remarkably good condition over the centuries.

Afterwards we return to Luya for lunch. In the afternoon we visit the Caverns of Quiocta, located in the district of Lamud in the province of Luya. This fascinating cave system is a natural formation of stalactites and stalagmites, spread across seven chambers. Many of the formations have been given names inspired by their unusual and imaginative shapes.

Chahchapoyas - Kuelap - Nuevo Tingo - Chachapoyas. Today we travel to Kuélap - one of the most impressive archaeological sites of northern Peru and a major legacy of the Chachapoyas civilisation. On the way we stop for a panoramic view of the archaeological complex of Macro, which sits dramatically on a mountain slope overlooking the Utcubamba River.

We continue to the village of Nuevo Tingo, where we board transport to the cable car station. The cable car climbs dramatically from around 2,000 metres above sea level to nearly 3,000 metres, reaching the area known as La Malca. From here we walk approximately 2.5 km to the citadel. Those who prefer may ride by horse along the path.

Kuélap sits atop Barreta Mountain and is protected by massive stone walls and steep precipices, giving it the appearance of a fortress. Inside, hundreds of circular stone structures decorated with rhomboid patterns reveal the distinctive architectural style of the Chachapoyas. The complex layout suggests a well-organised settlement, and the surrounding mountain scenery makes the site particularly striking.

After exploring the citadel we descend back to Nuevo Tingo for lunch before returning to Chachapoyas for the night.

Chachapoyas - San Bortolo - Leymebamba - Chachapoyas. This morning we depart for the village of San Bartolo, where we begin a walk of around 2 km to reach the Mausoleums of Revash. These distinctive funerary structures - sometimes rising to three storeys - were built high into the cliffs by the Chachapoyas people. Painted in ochre red and cream tones, they resemble small houses perched on the rock face. The mausoleums are viewed from a distance to help preserve the site.

We then continue to Leymebamba for lunch. In the afternoon we visit the Leymebamba Museum, also known as the Museum of the Mummies of the Lagoon of the Condors. The museum houses an important collection of artefacts from the region, including quipus - the intricate knot-record systems used by the Incas to track resources such as crops and livestock.

Within the museum’s climate-controlled storage are several of the more than 200 mummies discovered at the nearby Laguna de los Cóndores, one of the most significant archaeological finds in the area. The surrounding gardens also feature a collection of orchids with more than 100 local varieties. Afterwards we return to Chachapoyas.

Transfer to Chachapoyas Airport for your onward flight.