5-Day Kingdom of Chachapoyas: Kuelap, karajía sarcophagus & Leymebamba Mummies

Day 1: Chachapoyas, City of the Clouds. Arrival to Chachapoyas airport, assistance and transfer to the hotel. For transfers from Chachapoyas airport, 15 minutes away the city. Check the website of ATSA Airlines for direct flights from Lima.

Day 2: Sarcophagus of Karajia and the Caverns of Quiocta. In the morning departure to the village of Cruz Pata, in order to later go to the funerary site of Karajía. On the way enjoy a panoramic view of the Plaza de Armas of Luya. Cruz Pata, known as the Meseta de las Cruces (Plateau of the Crosses) is the starting point of our journey on foot or riding a horse to get to Karajia in about 30 minutes. We will admire the Sarcophagus of Karajia that belong to the pre-Inca culture of the Chachapoyas, they are made of stone, wood and clay with an anthropomorphic form, they are unique in its kind because of its colossal size (up to 2.5 meters high) and its very careful craftmanship. We will see that, in spite of the time lapsed, the fact that they are located on the highest part of a cliff of difficult access has preserved them in a very good condition. Return to have lunch in the city of Luya. Later visit to the Caverns of Quiocta, a capricious work of mother nature, located in the district of Lamud, province of Luya. In these Caverns seven halls have been detected with stalagmites and stalactites that have been assigned different names according to their strange forms. Night at Chachapoyas city.

Day 3: The Walled Citadel of Kuelap. In the morning departure to Kuelap, majestic architectural work of the Chachapoyas. On the way we will make a stop to enjoy a panoramic view of the archaeological site of Macro, located on the hillside of a mountain across from the river Utcubamba. Arrival at the village of Nuevo Tingo, where we will embark on a bus that will transfer us to the cable railway station (la estación del Teleférico). Dramatic ascent from the 2000 m.a.s.l. up to 3000 m.a.s.l. until we reach La Malca. From this point on we will walk 2.5 km until we reach the Citadel. Those who prefer to do so, can ascend by horse following a path. Kuelap is built on top of the Barreta Mountain, making it an impregnable place due to its colossal walls and precipices. Its circular buildings decorated with rhomboid shape patterns is one of its main characteristics. Its complex interior architecture bears witness to its function as a well-organized population center. Together with the surrounding landscape, the natural spectacle that the place offers, is unforgettable. Descent to Nuevo Tingo. Lunch. Night at Chachapoyas city.

Day 4: Mausoleums of Revash and Museum of the Mummies of the Lagoon of the Condors. Departure to the village of San Bartolo, there we will undertake a 2 km walk towards the Mausoleums of Revash. These funeral houses, which can have up to three floors, were built on the steep cliffs, still preserve their walls painted in ocher red and cream. The mausoleums can be observed at a distance. Return to Leymebamba. Lunch. Afterwards, enter the Museum of the Mummies of the Lagoon of the Condors. A collection of orchids has been planted in its gardens with more than 100 local varieties. This museum stores a very valuable collection of quipus, ancient system of Inca control used for the accounting of the crops and animals. In the climate control warehouse are kept some of the 240 mommies found in the Lagoon of the Condors found in the heights of the area. Return to Chachapoyas.

Day 5: Farewell day. Transfer to the airport of Chachapoyas city.