Kuelap, located 2 hours away from Chachapoyas (Amazonas) in the north of Peru has been a destination some members of Peru Trip Advisors were hoping to visit since a while ago.
The access to Chachapoyas is not so easy so we had to wait for the right time to go, we took advantage of our Independence Holidays’ break (July 2014); we packed our luggage and head to the north!
We chose to travel to Tarapoto this time, the reason is that July is winter time in Peru and Tarapoto is always warm and sunny…we really needed some warm weather!
We took dinner at one of the best places in town, El Batan del Tayta. Their menu includes local dishes and ingredients, some of them are for braves only like a cocktail decorated with huge ants! -really good-. One surprising detail is that they don’t sell bottled soft drinks, only water and juices made of regional fruits.
We enjoyed the attention and the food, we are sorry we didn’t have time to go back, it was an amazing place to eat!
We can image how it used to be, it’s a big loss.
Once we arrive to Kuelap, we made a brief visit to the Interpretation Center before starting to hike up to the old city, 20 minutes away from where the tourist’s cars park. The ascend is soft and the views are amazing!
The monumental ruins of Kuelap are situated at 3000 meters above sea level. Judging from its sheer size, Kuelap’s construction required considerable effort, rivaling or surpassing in size other archaeological structures in the Americas. The structure is almost 600 meters in lengthand its walls rise up to 19 meters in height.
The first level is accessed by three portals, two located on the east or principal frontage, the third placed on the western wall.
The best preserved portal, and probably the principal one, is located in the southern side of the frontispiece. It is 3 meters wide at its base and is flanked by high walls, resembling an alleyway. This narrows sharply as it rises, culminating in a space large enough for one person to enter, forming the shape of a slice of pie. Scholars believe this entrance was defensive in nature. There are multiple levels or platforms within the complex. Because of its extension, these flat elevations support about 400 constructions, most of them cylindrical. From them, only bases remain. In some cases, there are decorated walls with friezes of symbolic content that, in general, seem to evoke eyes and birds that take the form of a letter V in a chain.
Our guided visit to the complex took 03 hours. We learned a lot about Chachapoyas culture and its fusion with the Incas. There is still a lot to be re discovered about them. Due the lack of resources, Kuelap has not been completly studied, the place remains waiting for specialist to reveal their seacrets.
Still, we were very pleased to visit the area. The citadel is really impressive. We were simply amazed by the remote and extreame location Chachapoyas people decided to build this city and by the huge walls that protected it.
After the intense visit, we returned by foot to the parking area and departed to the little town called Maria where we enjoyed a well deserved warm lunch and some resting time after so much hiking.
Finally, we head back to Chachapoyas arriving there by 5 PM.
The next day, our Travel Advisor Maria Isabel Rojas took the challenge to visit Gocta Waterfall. Gocta is considered the world´s third highest waterfall at 771 meters tall. It is surrounded by lush vegetation which is the habitat of the Andean cock-of-the-rock, hummingbirds, and themonkey yellow-tailed woolly. These are some of the endemic species living in the ecosystem near the waterfall, however there are many more. This place is located 41 km from the city of Chachapoyas.
To reach the pool below the waterfall it is necessary to cross the extensive valley of rainforest that surrounds it. The trail takes 5 ½ to 6 hours(there and back) from the starting point of Caserío de Cocachimba. Maria Isabel proudly compleated the full trek and returned happy from this tour!
Next day, we head back to Tarapoto and spend a few days in the warm and tropical weather before returning to Lima.
We really loved exploring that area of Peru and for sure we will come back soon as there is still a lot to see there!
If you want to organize a trip to Kuelap or any other area of Peru, please contact us! We will be happy to help you!
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