Kuélap - Citadel of the "Warriors of the Clouds"
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With its location high in the Andes, sophisticated structure and enduring state, Kuélap is now considered to be the top destination in South America to rival Machu Picchu. Recently proposed as a UNESCO Heritage Site, it is an enormous walled city of some 6 hectares (15 acres) that dates from around 600 AD and lasted until the Incas toppled the culture in gruesome style in the early 1470s. "Relocation" of the survivors by the Spanish Conquistadors in 1570 completed that destruction. At its peak Kuélap was a vibrant city of some 3,000+ souls, the capital of their culture, and one of the largest cities in the known world at that time! Hitherto a "lost city" to modern tourism, the construction of a new cable-car access has now opened up this gem of history and associated sites in the vicinity.
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Based on the Cachapoyas culture, these people were known as the "Warriors of the Clouds". Constructed at the top of an Andean ridge at 3,000m AMSL in the north of Peru, the effort to build the site was herculean, being "lost" to modern knowledge until rediscovery by local officials in the mid 19th century. Being so remote and hard to access, detailed archaeological study did not really begin until the 1980s; visits by tourist were almost negligible - until March 2017 - when a new cable-car system provided safe and sure access within 25 minutes! Today, the whole area is benefitting from this investment, now officially listed by Peru's Ministry of Culture as the PRIMARY tourism destination in Northern Peru. |
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A visit to Kuélap entails MORE than an ascent to the citadel and tour around the main site; one should also visit the many associated destinations in the surrounding areas that give other insight into the Chachapoyas culture. These include the funerary sites of Revash and Karajia - final resting places of their chiefs and elite warriors - plus the excellent museum at Leymebamba. The latter holds over 200 mummies from this civilisation, whose unusual DNA has classified them as "white Indians", with fair hair and blue eyes. In addition, the area is blessed with outstanding natural beauty, including stunning panoramas and impressive falls that tumble into the Amazon forests.
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Finally, being at an altitude that includes cloud forests in the virginal Alto Mayo Reserve, sightings of rare bird species are assured! Bird enthusiasts should consider a few nights at specialist lodges like Huembo and Owlet. These include opportunities to see the Long-whiskered Owlet and Marvellous Spatuletail Hummingbird, both listed as endangered species and unique to this area. The endangered Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey and Spectacle Bear can also be encountered, along with rare sightings of Amazon cats, such as Margay, and other unusual flora & fauna. |
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LOGISTICS - Current visitors to the Chachapoyas region are 80% Peruvian nationals, travelling in their own transport from the region's main cities. However, Jaen and Tarapoto now both enjoy regular daily flights from Lima (1.5hrs/US$250/pp economy return), and Chachapoyas city is beginning to be serviced by two small airlines offering direct flights from Lima two or three times a week. Ground transfer services are readily available for a fee, but only ONE car-hire company operates from Jaen; three from Tarapoto; and NONE yet in Chachapoyas. Accordingly, the area is rich in natural resources and sites, but only just starting to develop tourist infrastructure. NB. May - Sept is the ideal time to visit, when rains do not "dim" the visit experience nor risk mud-slides that can block strategic routes.
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PRICING - Unique Destinations visited the Chachapoyas/Kuelap region in July 2018, and can recommend some very good hotels with excellent services and location, typically for about US$80-100 per night*. We highly recommend the hotels/lodges displayed above, and the two outstanding birding lodges we have listed, but strongly suggest clients discuss their tour plan with us to match desired destinations and activities with best accommodation location. Put simply, this is a FABULOUS new destination, but one MUST get the logistics right to enjoy it! PRICING for a 5 day/4 night visit from Lima, would be approximately US$ 2,000 for two persons, including accommodation, all meals (less drinks), hire of 4x4 vehicle + fuel, site/park entry fees and flights from Lima. Extra nights and charges would apply if clients wished to extend in time and/or visit one of the bird lodges.
(* For two persons sharing, including breakfast)
(* For two persons sharing, including breakfast)