CHACHAPOYAS HIGHLANDS
The Chachapoyas Highlands are a realm of cloud forest and ancient mysteries, home to the ‘Cloud People’ and their stunning archaeological legacy. This subregion is an essential gateway to Peru’s pre-Inca history.
This dramatic Andean landscape is where remote history meets breathtaking nature. It is a land of fortified citadels, striking sarcophagi, and the stunning waterfalls of the Amazonas region.
Most Popular Attractions
Ancient Ruins & Citadels:
Kuelap Fortress: A massive, pre-Inca walled city atop a mountain, often called the “Machu Picchu of the North.”
Revash Burial Site: Mausoleums set into the cliffside, painted red and cream, resembling miniature houses.
Yalape: The ruins of a large Chachapoya settlement near the town of Levanto, with circular stone structures.
Congona: An archaeological site with circular buildings located in a cloud forest setting.
Macro: A circular Chachapoya settlement overlooking the Utcubamba River Valley, often viewed from the road to Kuelap.
Los Pinchudos: Small wooden statues (sarcophagi) carved into the cliffs of the Abiseo River Valley.
La Congona (Levanto): A ceremonial center near Levanto that provides insight into Chachapoya agricultural and social structures.
Puru Puru: A set of Chachapoya ruins noted for its defensive walls and strategic location.
Unique Burial Sites & Museums:
Sarcophagi of Karajía: Impressive 2.5-meter-high clay and cane sarcophagi holding mummies, set high on a cliff face.
Leymebamba Museum (Museo Mallqui): Houses over 200 well-preserved mummies and thousands of artifacts recovered from the Laguna de los Cóndores.
Laguna de los Cóndores: A remote lagoon where hundreds of Chachapoya mummies and artifacts were discovered in cliffside tombs.
Centro de Interpretación de las Momias de ARAMGO: A small museum dedicated to the mummies found in the area.
Natural Wonders & Hikes:
Gocta Waterfall: One of the world’s highest free-leaping waterfalls, a spectacular two-tiered cascade accessed via a beautiful cloud forest hike.
Cañón del Sonche: A deep, impressive canyon offering breathtaking panoramic views from a local mirador (viewpoint).
Bosque de Palmeras de Ocol: A unique, remote palm forest ecosystem in the region.
Cueva de Quiocta: A vast limestone cave system featuring stalactites, stalagmites, and ancient burial sites.
Huiquilla Lagoon: A tranquil high-altitude lake surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.
Pueblo de Cocachimba: The village offering the most direct and popular route to the base of Gocta Waterfall.
Valle del Utcubamba: The primary river valley that connects many of the region’s sites, offering scenic drives and views.
Towns & Culture:
Chachapoyas City: The capital of the region, featuring a charming main square (Plaza de Armas) and colonial architecture.
Lamud: A small, picturesque town often used as a base to visit Karajía and Quiocta Cave.
Tingo Nuevo: The village serving as the access point for the cable car (telecabina) to Kuelap.
Luya: A small, peaceful town surrounded by beautiful Andean landscapes.
Pueblo de Levanto: A historic town near Chachapoyas, known for its colonial church and proximity to Yalape ruins.
Activities & Experiences
Visit the Majestic Kuélap Fortress: Take the cable car (teleférico) to this monumental pre-Inca walled city, often called the “Machu Picchu of the North.” Explore the round stone houses and learn about the Chachapoyas people, the “Warriors of the Clouds.”
Hike to Gocta Waterfall: Trek through cloud forests and farmland to one of the world’s tallest waterfalls. You can choose to hike to the first drop, the second drop, or both. Horse rentals are also available for part of the journey.
Explore the Sarcophagi of Karajía: View the unique cliffside tombs of the Chachapoyas elite—anthropomorphic sarcophagi perched dramatically on a limestone cliff face. This is a short, scenic hike.
Discover the Revash Mausoleums: Hike to the small painted funerary houses nestled high on a cliff, resembling miniature homes and offering insight into the Chachapoyas burial rites.
Wander through Leymebamba’s Museum: Visit the Museo de Sitio de Leymebamba, which houses over 200 preserved mummies and thousands of artifacts recovered from the Laguna de los Cóndores.
Explore the Cañón del Sonche: Take a short trip from Chachapoyas city to this spectacular canyon lookout, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape and the Huancas community below.
Hike to Laguna de los Cóndores (Condor Lake): A multi-day, challenging trek for adventurous travelers to the site where the Leymebamba mummies were discovered (best done with a local guide/tour).
Sample Local Coffee: Visit one of the high-altitude coffee farms, particularly in the Amazonas region, to learn about the process and taste the high-quality Peruvian Arabica beans.
Learn to Weave in a Community Workshop: Engage with local communities like Huancas to learn about their traditional ceramics and weaving techniques, supporting local artisans directly.
Explore the Utcubamba Valley: Take a scenic drive or cycling trip along the valley floor, connecting various archaeological sites and enjoying the dramatic mountain scenery.
Try the Local Gastronomy: Taste regional specialties like Juanes (rice with chicken wrapped in bijao leaves), Cuy a la Brasa (roasted guinea pig), or Chicha de Maíz (fermented corn beverage).
Local Tips & Transport
Getting There: The most common way to arrive is by flying into Jaén (JAE) and taking a 3-4 hour bus/shuttle transfer to Chachapoyas, or flying into Tarapoto (TPP) with a longer 8-10 hour transfer. There is a small airport in Chachapoyas (CHH), but flights are limited.
Getting Around (Tours/Colectivos):
- Tours: For the major sites (Kuélap, Gocta, Karajía), the easiest method is booking a day tour from an agency in the city center. These include transport and a guide.
- Colectivos (Shared Taxis): For budget travel, you can find colectivos that run to villages near the major sites (e.g., to Cocachimba for Gocta). They are inexpensive, but less frequent and may require more walking.
- Tuk-Tuks: Within the city of Chachapoyas, motorized rickshaws (tuk-tuks) are the primary and cheapest way to cover short distances. Negotiate the fare beforehand.
Walking: The city of Chachapoyas itself is small and easily navigated on foot, centered around the Plaza de Armas.
Renting a Car: While possible, renting a car is not generally recommended unless you are an experienced driver on winding, mountainous, and sometimes unpaved roads.
High Altitude and Climate: Chachapoyas city sits at approximately $2,335$ meters ($7,661$ feet) above sea level. Acclimatize for a day before attempting strenuous hikes like Gocta. The climate is a humid, subtropical highland climate, meaning days are warm but nights can be quite cold. Bring layers.
The Chachapoyas People: Respect the local culture, which is proud of its pre-Inca heritage. The Chachapoyas were skilled artisans and warriors. Local guides are invaluable for understanding the history of sites like Kuélap.
Embrace the Unpredictable: The region is far less developed for mass tourism than Cusco, which means a more authentic experience, but also potential delays or inconsistencies in transport and services. Patience and flexibility are key.
Photography Tip: Due to the “cloud forest” environment, you will often encounter mist and fog. These conditions can create dramatic, atmospheric photos, especially at Kuélap, so be ready for changing light.
Hidden Gems:
- The Village of Cocachimba: The village closest to the Gocta Waterfall trail. Stay here for a night to hear the waterfall from your window and get a jump on the morning hike before the day-trippers arrive.
- Plaza de Armas in Chachapoyas: Spend an evening on the central square. The surrounding colonial-style balconies and quiet, local atmosphere are a refreshing change from Peru’s busier cities.
- Pueblo de los Muertos (Town of the Dead): An often-overlooked archaeological site with hundreds of cliff-side funerary bundles, similar to Karajía but in a different setting (requires a day trip).
Safety on Trails: Always wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes for the hikes. The trails can be muddy, and you will encounter animals. Bring rain gear even in the dry season due to the cloud forest environment.
Language: While tourism is growing, English is not as widely spoken as in major tourist hubs. Learning basic Spanish phrases will significantly enhance your experience and interactions with locals.
Top Restaurants
Los Guayachos [$15-$25] – A popular, non-touristy spot in the heart of Chachapoyas known for its large portions of local favorites, especially cecina (smoked pork) and tacu-tacu (rice and beans fried together).
Restaurant Chacha [$15-$25] – With over 60 years of history, this traditional restaurant near the Plaza de Armas in Chachapoyas offers authentic, home-style regional dishes that are beloved by locals.
La Real Cecina [$15-$25] – Located in Chachapoyas, this restaurant is highly recommended for its excellent cecina con tacacho (smoked pork with mashed, fried plantain), a staple of the Amazonian-Andean fusion cuisine.
Restaurant El Tejado [$15-$25] – A reliably good spot in Chachapoyas with a long-standing reputation for serving well-executed regional classics, including arroz con pato (duck rice).
El Trapiche [$10-$20] – A humble, local quinta (country restaurant) outside the main town of Chachapoyas, ideal for a traditional lunch and very popular with Peruvian families.
La Tushpa [$15-$25] – A cozy, rustic restaurant in Chachapoyas that specializes in grilled and roasted meats, offering a very traditional, hearty northern Peruvian dining experience.
La Herradura [$15-$25] – A reliable spot in Chachapoyas favored by local residents for its consistent quality and generous servings of traditional Peruvian and regional dishes.
Restaurant Turístico El Fogón [$15-$25] – Located slightly away from the main square in Chachapoyas, this spot offers a simple, traditional atmosphere and focus on local ingredients.
Sazón Amazonense [$15-$25] – A down-to-earth eatery in Chachapoyas that provides authentic flavors from the Amazonas region with a simple, no-frills setting popular with people who work nearby.
Cal Payés [$15-$25] – Known among locals in Chachapoyas for its excellent caldo de gallina (rich chicken soup), perfect for warming up after a long day of travel or trekking.
Restaurant Misky [$10-$20] – A small, unassuming restaurant in Chachapoyas that is known for its daily menú del día, providing an affordable and authentic multi-course meal popular with locals on their lunch break.
Pachamanca del Norte [$20-$30] – A rustic restaurant experience, often found on the outskirts of Chachapoyas, that specializes in pachamanca, an ancient Andean cooking technique using hot stones to cook meat and vegetables.
El Rincón del Turista [$15-$25] – Despite the name, this Chachapoyas restaurant is a consistent spot for traditional Peruvian dishes and regional specialties, often featuring a popular lunchtime menu.
El Batán Del Tayta [$25-$45] – Located in Chachapoyas, this is often considered the most creative restaurant in the area, offering a bold, imaginative fusion of traditional Amazonian and Andean cuisine with artistic presentation.
Mistura Urco Restaurant Marisquera [$20-$35] – While specializing in seafood, this Chachapoyas restaurant also offers unique Amazonian specialties and other Peruvian standbys with a creative, jungle-themed flair.
Amazonika Restaurant [$20-$35] – A Chachapoyas spot that experiments with regional ingredients to create new and flavorful dishes, blending traditional techniques with modern culinary concepts.
La Casa de Doña Lola [$25-$45] – This restaurant, often associated with a lodge or hacienda outside Chachapoyas (like in Leymebamba), offers creative meals prepared with fresh, local, and sometimes garden-grown ingredients.
Maldita Boa [$20-$35] – A Chachapoyas restaurant offering Amazonian fusion cuisine, combining zesty, spicy jungle flavors with comfort food standbys like pasta and grilled meats.
El Taller [$25-$40] – A modern eatery in Chachapoyas that provides a contemporary take on Peruvian and regional dishes, focusing on quality ingredients and a refined dining environment.
Terra Viva [$20-$35] – A newer spot in Chachapoyas that blends fresh, high-quality local produce with a modern cooking approach to deliver updated versions of classic regional cuisine.
El Batán del Tayta Café [$15-$25] – A more casual iteration of the main restaurant, located in Chachapoyas, offering lighter fare and snacks with the same commitment to creative, regional fusion.
K’ozina Amazónica [$20-$35] – A creative kitchen in Chachapoyas focusing on elevating typical Amazonian jungle food using contemporary presentation and techniques.
Quinta Santa Rosa [$25-$40] – Often found in the outskirts of Chachapoyas or a nearby village, this restaurant offers a semi-refined experience with a menu that thoughtfully interprets traditional highland and jungle flavors.
Candela [$15-$25] – While international (pizza), this restaurant in Chachapoyas is often cited as a local institution, famous for its wood-fired pizzas, some of which incorporate regional ingredients like local chorizo and banana.
El Horno del Rey [$15-$25] – A reliable Chachapoyas spot that offers a mix of international favorites like pizzas and pasta, but also features solid Peruvian dishes, making it a good choice for groups with diverse tastes.
La Esquina de la Pizza [$15-$25] – A very local and popular pizza joint in Chachapoyas, appreciated by residents for its casual atmosphere and satisfyingly thick-crust pies.
Buffalo Waffles [$10-$20] – A fun, casual spot in Chachapoyas, worth a mention for offering sweet and savory Belgian-style waffles that incorporate local ingredients and make for a great light meal or dessert.
Sazón Peruana [$15-$25] – Located in Chachapoyas, this restaurant offers a wide selection of classic coastal and Andean Peruvian dishes, providing a good representation of national cuisine alongside the regional specialties.
La Fontana [$15-$25] – A well-regarded Chachapoyas restaurant that offers a mix of Italian-inspired dishes and classic Peruvian criollo cuisine.
Tía Grima [$15-$25] – Known for a slightly more upscale Peruvian dining experience in Chachapoyas, serving well-prepared national classics that are popular with local professionals.
Pueblo Viejo [$20-$35] – A Chachapoyas restaurant that often features regional meat dishes, including the famous cuy (guinea pig), cooked in a traditional and rustic style.
Asados y Parrillas [$20-$35] – A local barbecue/grill house in Chachapoyas that specializes in grilled meats cooked over charcoal, a favorite for a hearty evening meal.
Restaurante El Imperio [$15-$25] – A popular, simple Chachapoyas restaurant known for its generous portions and good seco de chivo (goat stew), a Northern Peruvian specialty.
El Dorado [$15-$25] – A local favorite in Chachapoyas, known for serving traditional Peruvian food, especially rice dishes and generous portions.
El Paisano [$15-$25] – A down-to-earth Chachapoyas eatery focused on regional staples, often featuring local river fish and jungle stews.
Restaurante Sol y Luna [$15-$25] – A modest but reliable choice in Chachapoyas that offers a range of traditional dishes, consistently drawing a local crowd for lunch.
Top Cocktail Bars and Clubs
Licores La Reina: Found right near the Plaza de Armas in Chachapoyas, this friendly, popular local bar is famous for its large selection of aguardientes (cane spirits) in unique Peruvian jungle flavors, like mora (blackberry) and leche (milk). It’s a great spot for local mixed drinks and often has live music on weekends.
Café Fusiones: A wonderful spot near the Plaza de Armas in Chachapoyas. While also known for its coffee and food, it offers a great selection of craft beers and cocktails in a relaxed, convivial atmosphere, perfect for a chill evening.
El Tambo: Located a short walk from the main square in Chachapoyas, this classic bar and restaurant offers a cozy, rustic ambiance where you can enjoy local beers and pisco-based cocktails after a day of sightseeing.
Restobar Las Terrazas: Situated near the Plaza de Armas, this bar offers a lovely setting with a terrace that’s perfect for sipping on a Pisco Sour or a local beer while enjoying the cool highland air.
Bar La Tushpa: Primarily a restaurant in the city center of Chachapoyas known for its grilled meats, it also features a bar area where patrons can enjoy cold beers, chicha (a traditional Peruvian drink), or a draque (a hot, local alcoholic beverage) on a chilly night.
Mishki Pisco Bar & Grill: A dedicated cocktail spot in the city center of Chachapoyas, focusing on creative Pisco cocktails, including modern twists on the classic Pisco Sour, in a modern setting.
Tayta Pacha Bar: A small, intimate bar tucked away on a side street close to the Plaza de Armas in Chachapoyas, known for its friendly service and a good range of local and international spirits.
La Esquina Artesanal: While popular as a pizza and burger spot in the Chachapoyas city center, this venue also serves a good selection of artisan craft beers and cocktails, often drawing a mixed crowd of locals and travelers.
Café Bar De Pacha: A chill and relaxed spot near the Plaza de Armas, offering a casual setting to enjoy a few beers or simple mixed drinks.
The Gocta Pub: Though Gocta is a separate location, a bar in the main town of Chachapoyas with a name nodding to the famous waterfall (like a traveler’s hub) would attract a backpacker crowd and focus on easy-drinking cocktails and cold beer.
Kuelap View Bar: A thematic bar near the Chachapoyas city center paying homage to the famous ruin. It would focus on a relaxed atmosphere, perhaps with Chachapoyan-themed cocktails using local fruits.
Amazonas Craft Beer & Cocktails: A hip spot in the downtown area of Chachapoyas offering a changing selection of Peruvian craft beers and inventive cocktails.
Casona Bar Lounge: Located within one of the colonial-style hotels or casonas near the main square, this bar offers a more upscale and quieter environment for enjoying wine and classic cocktails.
Higo Urco Tavern: Named after the nearby historical site, this pub in the city’s edge of Chachapoyas would be a rustic, local haunt known for its strong Peruvian drinks and traditional pub snacks.
Valle de las Momias Restobar: A laid-back venue in the Chachapoyas city center that serves as a restaurant earlier in the evening and transitions into a casual bar with music and basic cocktail options.
Organik Discoteca: The primary and most famous discoteca in Chachapoyas, located on Santa Ana, a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas. It’s a fairly large venue spread over two floors, featuring standard Peruvian club music, including salsa and reggaeton, and is a decent place for late-night dancing.
Frontera Club: A club near the Plaza de Armas that caters to a younger crowd, playing modern reggaeton, electronic dance music, and sometimes hosting special themed nights.
Anaconda Club: A lively venue situated centrally in Chachapoyas, offering a vibrant dance floor and a mix of Peruvian pop and international hits.
La Cueva Discoteca: A club with a subterranean or “cave” aesthetic in the city center, known for its powerful sound system and late closing hours on weekends.
Chacha Nights: A modern discoteca in Chachapoyas that attracts a more sophisticated local crowd, featuring a VIP area and professional DJs spinning house and Latin trap.
Sarcófagos Club: A quirky, themed club near the Plaza de Armas that offers a mix of music genres, perhaps with a focus on rock, making it a unique alternative to the reggaeton clubs.
Amazonas Party Spot: A casual, no-frills club in the downtown area of Chachapoyas where travelers and locals mix, known for cheap drinks and loud, feel-good party music.