Chachapoyas
The
city of Chachapoyas was founded in 1538 by Alonso
de Alvarado, naming it San Juan de la Frontera.
Today Chachapoyas is the Capital of the Department
of Amazonas still keeping some of its colonial
architecture, large old houses with typical patios
and wooden balconies. Situated on the eastern
slope of the northern Andes and surrounded by
forests and impressive mountains, at an altitude
of 2000 meters above sea level, Chachapoyas has
a temperate climate, with heavy rain during the
season (November to March) and a lush and diverse
flora (orchids, bromeliads etc) and fauna (cock
of the rock, Andean bear etc.).
The Chachapoyas culture reached its height around
AD 1000, with well-developed cities, highways,
irrigation, terracing and metal craft. They were
conquered by the Inca Tupac Yupanqui in the 15th
century, but always kept a state of rebellion
against the Inca Empire.
Important Sights Around Chachapoyas
A large number of archaeological remains are found
in the surrounding forests.
Kuelap
The most spectacular archaeological attraction
in Northern Peru, built over a period of 200 years
around 1000 AD., discovered in 1843 by Juan Crisótomo.
Kuelap was built in a North South orientation
with formidable walls that vary in height between
10 and 20 meters height with stone blocks each
one weighing around 200 kgs; circular buildings,
defensive walls, passageways many houses, and
three entrances, one to the west and two to the
east.
Open hours: 08:00 to 17:00 hrs, US$ 4.50
Levanto
Where the city of Chachapoyas was originally established,
around 20 Km south of today's city. Contains many
archaeological attractions and fantastic scenery,
but no tourist services.
Laguna de los Condores
A spectacular archaeological site consisting of
burial chullpas with large amount of mummies,
ceramics textiles etc, located at the Laguna de
los Condores, a beautiful lake south of Leymebamba.
La Congona
A Chachapoyan archaeological site around the town
of Leymebamba. A well-preserved site with thirty
round stone houses and a watchtower.
Sarcophagi of Karajía
An archaeological site, about 50 Km North of Chachapoyas.
The sarcophagi are two meter high made out of
fired clay with geometric figures.
Chipuric
An archaeological site 35 Km North of Chachapoyas
consisting in circular buildings within a stonewall.
