Experiences and local guides in Chachapoyas

Nature

Chachapoyas, capital of the Amazonas region, sits at about 2,300 m on the cloud-forest fringe of northern Peru, where the Andes drop towards the Amazon. The landscape mixes deep valleys such as the Utcubamba, limestone canyons and cloud forests draped in bromeliads and orchids. This rugged country was home to the Chachapoya culture, which built fortified towns on the ridgetops and buried its dead in cliff faces. Some of Peru's highest waterfalls plunge here, including Gocta, 771 m in two drops.

Activities

• Kuélap fortress: drive to Nuevo Tingo, a cable car ride of about 20 minutes and a walk of about 30 minutes to the walled city, with ramparts up to 20 m high and more than 400 round structures; part of the south wall collapsed in 2022, visits resumed in 2023 and the circuit along the restored south wall reopened in mid-2026, though open routes still change with conservation work
• Gocta waterfall: hike of about 5 km each way from Cocachimba, up and down through the forest, to the pool at the foot of the lower drop; a trail from San Pablo leads to the upper drop and horses can be hired for part of the way
• Karajía sarcophagi: clay figures up to 2.5 m tall lined up on a cliff ledge, reached by a short, steep path from Cruzpata; often combined with the Quiocta cave
• Revash: small funerary houses painted red and cream, tucked into a limestone cliff and reached on foot from San Bartolo
• Leymebamba museum: more than 200 mummies and offerings recovered in 1997 at the Laguna de los Cóndores, 2 to 3 hours south of Chachapoyas by road
• Three-day trek from Leymebamba to the Laguna de los Cóndores, on foot or on horseback, to see the cliff tombs above the lake

When to go

The dry season, May to September, brings clearer skies and firmer trails, the best time for Kuélap, Revash and long treks. From November to April rain is frequent, paths turn muddy and some stretches can be cut off, but Gocta carries its greatest flow and the forest is at its greenest. Mornings are cool all year, so pack warm layers and a rain jacket. Kuélap has a daily visitor cap, so book ahead on long holiday weekends.

How to get there

Chachapoyas airport (CHH) has direct flights from Lima, about 1 h 30. Alternatively, fly to Jaén (JAE), about 4 hours away by road, or Tarapoto (TPP), about 8 hours. Overnight buses run from Chiclayo (about 9 to 10 hours) and Lima (about 22 hours). Kuélap, Gocta and Karajía are 1 to 2 hours from town, with tours leaving daily.