Amazonas: Culture, History, and Nature in the Heart of Peru
Located in northern Peru, the Amazonas region is a land of lush nature and ancestral heritage. Home to the enigmatic Chachapoya civilization, this region amazes visitors with its breathtaking landscapes, ancient fortresses, and vibrant festivities.
- Surface Area: 39,249 km²
- Capital: Chachapoyas (2,334 masl)
- Minimum Altitude: 230 masl (Santa María de Nieva)
- Maximum Altitude: 3,952 masl (Chuquimbamba)
🏛 History and Culture
Kuélap Fortress
One of the most impressive pre-Inca constructions in South America. Built by the Chachapoya culture, this stone citadel stands over 3,000 meters above sea level and offers stunning views of the mountainous jungle.
Karajía Sarcophagi
Over two-meter-tall funerary sculptures embedded in cliffs. These clay and stone figures represent ancient Chachapoya leaders.
Lagoon of the Mummies
Discovered in 1997, this site contains more than 280 mummies in a cave by a lagoon, revealing the complexity of this civilization’s burial rituals.
Chachapoyas Main Square
The historic center of the city, featuring colonial houses and cobblestone streets that reflect its Spanish past.
🎉 Festivals and Traditions
🟠 Feast of Our Lady of the Assumption (August)
The most important celebration in Chachapoyas, featuring processions, dances, and gastronomic fairs.
🟠 Chachapoyas Carnival (February-March)
A colorful festivity with parades, music, and the traditional yunza, where locals dance around a tree decorated with gifts.
🟠 Chachapoyas Tourism Week (June)
Includes craft fairs, dance festivals, and the exciting Raymillacta, a reenactment of Chachapoya culture.
📅 Best Time to Visit: From May to October, when the weather is drier, allowing for better exploration of natural attractions.
📍 How to Get There?
✈️ Direct flights from Lima to Jaén (1h 30 min), followed by a 4-hour drive to Chachapoyas.
🚌 Land transportation from Chiclayo (9h) or Tarapoto (8h).
