Discover Chachapoyas Tour - 4 Days







Cultural
Easy
Chachapoyas, Kuelap
Archaeological / Architecture, Nature
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For a long time, the charming northern Peruvian city of Chachapoyas remained relatively isolated from the rest of the country. That has changed in recent years, with the development of regularly scheduled flights to Jaén to the northwest, and to Chachapoyas itself. And that’s great news for tourists because Chachapoyas and the surrounding region are absolutely brimming with manmade and natural attractions.
Kuelap is an ancient fortress perched high in the clouds at an altitude of 3000 meters. As you explore this archaeological marvel, you'll discover the remarkable stone walls and circular houses that make up the fortress.
The Gocta waterfall is one of the highest waterfalls in the world, ranking third only to Angel Falls in Venezuela and Tugela Falls in South Africa.
From the moment you set foot in Jaen, your journey will be filled with captivating discoveries and unforgettable experiences that will be the highlight of your holiday adventures in Peru.

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Day 01:Jaen to Chachapoyas
We’ll meet you as you arrive at the airport in Jaén*, where we’ll stop for lunch before heading to Chachapoyas by private transport, which takes about four hours. During this beautiful journey, we will descend into the Marañon River Valley (the Marañon is a major tributary of the Amazon River) before climbing upwards towards Chachapoyas through the stunning Utcubamba Canyon. As we drive through the canyon and on to Chachapoyas, you’ll see numerous waterfalls as they plunge down over the vertical walls, passing craggy rocks dotted with orchids and other flora native to this region. When we arrive in Chachapoyas, we’ll take you to your hotel (not included), where you can settle in before heading to one of the city’s many excellent restaurants for dinner (not included).
*Depending on flight schedules, it may be possible to fly directly from Lima to Chachapoyas.
- Meals: Boxed Lunch
- Tour Guide: Local Tour Guide: English/Spanish
- Transfer In: Jaen to Chachapoyas
Day 2:Gocta Waterfall
After a scenic drive, you'll arrive at Cocachimba, a charming village where your trek to the awe-inspiring Gocta Waterfall begins. With a staggering drop of 771 meters, Gocta is one of the highest waterfalls in the world, ranking third only to Angel Falls in Venezuela and Tugela Falls in South Africa. The trek to the base of the waterfall takes you through the lush, verdant rainforest, offering glimpses of exotic wildlife and stunning flora. After approximately 2.5 hours, you'll reach the base of the waterfall, where you can marvel at its beauty and power. Return to your hotel (not included) in Chachapoyas, feeling exhilarated by the natural wonders you've witnessed.
- Meals: Boxed Lunch
- Tour Guide: Local Tour Guide: English/Spanish
- Excursion: Gocta Waterfall
- Entrance Fee: Gocta Waterfall
Day 3:The Fortress of Kuelap
In the morning, we’ll drive to the village of Tingo where we’ll board the cable car for a fun ride across a canyon up to Kuelap Fortress. After a short walk, we’ll arrive at this hugely impressive archaeological site.
While not nearly as famous as Machu Picchu, Kuelap is arguably just as impressive – that’s why it’s often called “The Machu Picchu of Northern Peru.” The comparison is perhaps a little unfair, as the two sites are very different in both their histories and their structure.
Kuelap was built by the Chachapoyas culture in the 6th century AD, some 500 years before Machu Picchu. It sits at 3,000 meters (9,900 feet) above sea level on a ridge overlooking the Utcubamba Valley, a commanding presence watching over the surrounding area. As you approach the fortress, you’ll undoubtedly be impressed by the towering outer walls, which reach 20 meters tall in places. The entire oval-shaped complex is about 584 meters long and 110 meters wide at its widest part. It is believed that it took about 40 million cubic feet of stone to build the gargantuan fortress, making it possibly the largest known ancient stone structure in South America, and three times larger than the Great Pyramid of Egypt.
As we walk around the near-impenetrable outer walls, we’ll eventually reach one of the three extremely narrow entrances into Kuelap. These provided excellent defense against potential invaders. As you walk up the narrow stairway, you can imagine how tough, and how brutal, it would have been for any attackers trying to force entry through these tight stone passages.
At the top of the entranceway, you’ll step up onto a tranquil plateau inside the fortress walls. As you do so, you’ll understand why the term “fortress” doesn’t quite do Kuelap justice. It was more like a walled city or citadel, capable of supporting thousands of people. Inside the fortress are the remnants of more than 400 circular dwellings, some of which have been restored to how archaeologists believe they would have looked hundreds of years ago. These dwellings are decorated with strange zigzag motifs and rhomboid friezes, the symbols possibly representative of the families who lived within. Passing through lightly wooded area inside the complex, where orchids grow and hummingbirds flitter about, we’ll explore the rest of the complex, including religious buildings, defensive towers, and a strange construction that might have been used as a solar observatory.
There’s plenty to see at Kuelap, so we’ll make sure you have plenty of time to explore with your guide and then on your own. When you’re ready, we’ll return to our private transport and head back to Chachapoyas.
- Meals: Lunch in Kuelap
- Tour Guide: Local Tour Guide: English/Spanish
- Excursion: Kuelap Fortress
- Entrance Fee: Kuelap
Day 4:Chachapoyas to Jaen
After an early breakfast, we will leave Chachapoyas and return to Jaén, from where you can fly back to Lima. Reflect on the incredible experiences you've had during your time in northern Peru, knowing that the beauty and magic of this region will stay with you forever.
- Meals: Not Included
- Transfer Out: Chachapoyas to Jáen Airport
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- Transport: Private.
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Kuelap, Gocta Waterfall, Chachapoyas.
- Meals: 2 Boxed Lunches and 1 lunch.
- Attractions entrance fees.
- Daily activities and excursions as indicated in the itinerary.
- First aid kit, if you are taking any medications, please bring your prescription with you.
- Professional Guided tour ENG/SPA.
- 24/7 support and an emergency line are available throughout the itinerary.
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- International/Domestic Flights.
- Medical and emergency evacuation insurance.
- Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance.
- Any activity not described in What's Included.
- Meals and drinks that are not specified in the itinerary.
- Tips/Gratuities.
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Carla Esquivel
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