Kuelap, Chachapoyas

The city of Chachapoyas, located in the mountains to the north of Peru, was the seat of a spectacular pre-Incan culture, the Chachapoya. Surrounded by dozens of ruins, sarcophagi (containing mummies!) , and mausoleums (more mummies!),  as well as the third tallest waterfall in the world (Catarata Gocta), Chachapoyas is a magical place with only a few tourists taking advantage of the wealth of attractions.

Kuelap is a spectacular ruin situated along a very high ridge, 600m x 110m in size, surrounded by a massive stone wall 19m tall, and containing hundreds of circular buildings. The Chachapoya occupied Kuelap from around 600 AD until the mid 1500's, when they were conquered by the Inca. A fortress, a sanctuary, a religious site ... Kuelap was many things - and continues to be simply spectacular!

Llamas!!!

Reconstucted circular building - imagine 300+ more of these on the narrow stone ridge!