KUELAP FORTRESS

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KUELAP FORTRESS , CHACHAPOYAS CULTURE, GOCTA WATERFALL 5D/4N

Kuelap Fortress is an impressive pre Colombian fortress that is located on the banks of the Utcubamba River in the Peruvian region of Amazonas near (35 Kilometers) Chachapoyas city. This fortress was constructed by the Chachapoyas culture which inhabited this region around 800 AD. Kuelap is one of the few remains of the Chachapoyas culture which was known also as the Cloud Forest people and was the most advanced civilization of the Peruvian Jungle. The name of the fortress would mean “cold place” and probably was called thus because it is one the few places of the zone (the Amazon jungle); where the climate is not very warm.

Located at an altitude of 3,000 meters, in the cloud forest of the department of Amazonas, Kuélap is proof of the engineering skills of the Chachapoya, a tribe who inhabited the area from 1000-1400 AD.

The towering ramparts that protect the citadel are studded with three guardposts, a tower and three narrow entrances which could be defended by a single warrior. The walls stand 8 meters high and completely surround the complex. The complex must have been impregnable to invading warriors from neighboring kingdoms, although finally the Inca soldiers managed to conquer the Chachapoya.

The citadel is made of stone, but unlike Inca architecture, featured fantastic and animal figures, and changed the traditional pattern of geometric designs.

The common buildings were circular, and some of these have been reconstructed so that the few visitors who come here (due to the difficult access) can see how the people lived here, amidst orchids and bromeliads.

Ancient Peruvians were highly successful in integrating with nature. The Chachapoya, whose secrets still lie buried in the dense jungle, created harmonic structures in a privileged site, a timeless land where the jungle-clad hills are wreathed by mist.

The fortress is composed by massive walls of stone of 20 meters height that protect a city that contain around 400 circular buildings, including a castle. This amazing structure is roughly 600 meters in length and 110 meters width. The inside buildings were roofed with thatch. It believes that Kuelap was constructed to defense against the Huari and other warrior Pre Colombian civilizations that inhabited the current Peruvian Territory between the VIII and XVI centuries.

Kuelap has three passageways, two facing east and one facing west, which are so narrow (around 2 meters wide) that can be defended by a single warrior. Like most Pre Colombian Peruvian cities, Kuelap is successfully integrated with the natural environment. The Chachapoyas created harmonic structures in a privileged site. The temples and the fortress harmonize perfectly with the landscapes of the region.

The citadel inside de walls contains several cultivation terraces, settlements, storehouses and public plazas. Besides, the complex has multiple levels or platforms. A singular feature of the buildings of Kuelap is their decoration. Several buildings of the complex have walls decorated with friezes that evoke eyes and birds; this type of decoration is not found anywhere else in the Pre Colombian America. Besides, all the complex has a sophisticated system of rainwater drainage which protected the citadel against floods.

Kuelap Fortress

KUELAP FORTRESS - CHACHAPOYAS CULTURE &GOCTA WATERFALL TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 01: LIMA /CHICLAYO (SIPAN)
Transfer Inn Airport to Hotel in Chiclayo , Private tour Sipan Lambayeque.
Our trip to the Huaca necropolis is an impressive funeral site from the Mochica culture, which was recently uncovered. It has several impressive tombs, such as the Lord of Sipan (3rd and 5th Centuries). These archeological ruins are well-known for their elaborate gold pieces, which include semi-precious stones. This site was discovered by a Peruvian archeological team directed by Dr. Walter Alva in the 1980s. During our trip to Chiclayo you will also get acquainted with the medicinal herbs used by local Shamans. We will spend the night at Grand Hotel Chiclayo ****. (B+L)
DAY 02: CHICLAYO - CHACHAPOYAS
In the morning you will depart from Chiclayo by Private van or minibus. You will cross 4 different Peruvian regions: Lambayeque, south Piura, the North of Cajamarca and end in Amazonas, starting in the coast and arriving in the late afternoon in the cloud forest of Chachapoyas. The trip is spectacular going through different ecological landscapes . Overnight Chillo lodge at Tingo. (B+L+D)
DAY 03: KUELAP FORTRESS- CHACHAPOYAS
After breakfast you will visit Kuelap, a spectacular pre-Inca walled city hidden atop a precipitous mountain. Although Kuelap was discovered 60 years before Machu Picchu, it is not as well-known to the outside world. Nevertheless recent amazing discoveries in nearby areas that relate to Kuelap and to its history have captured the attention of archaeologists, international magazines and film companies. Following your visit to Kuelap we drive back to spend a night at Chillo Lodge. (B+L+D)
DAY 04: CHACHAPOYAS – GOCTA
Morning trip to Cocachimba a sleepy town at the end of the road ,where we start a 2.5 hour hike to the Gocta Waterfall . Gocta is the third highest waterfall in the world and is surrounded by high tropical cloud forest, there are good chances to run into monkeys and the Peruvian bird cock of the rock.
Now strangely it is Gocta which has caught the imagination of travellers and we are seeing an increase in tourism due to Gocta and not Kuelap - which is unique in every possible way. When you walk close to the tallest drop it is an awesome experience - the spray blasts you as so much air is pummelled down in bottom of the amphitheater, which encloses the fall. Add to that there is a great section of forest along the way with chances of seeing the endemic yellow-tailed woolly monkey, which only exists in northern-eastern Peru and you have a great day out. Drive to Chachapoyas, overnight at the Hotel Casa Vieja . (B+L)
DAY 05: CHACHAPOYAS/ CHICLAYO/LIMA : Private transportation from Chachapoyas to Chiclayo , about a 7 hour drive ,then an evening flight from Chiclayo to Lima , transfer to your hotel o to a connecting flight back home. (B+L)

INCLUDES :

All the transfers in Chiclayo
1 nights at a 4 star hotel in Chiclayo
1 night at a 3 star hotel in Chachapoyas
2 night at Chillo Lodge in cahachapoyas
Professional English speaking guide
Private Transportations Chiclayo/Chachapoyas/Chiclayo
Tours in Kuelap, Gocta Box Lunch
Tour Señor de Sipan
Entrance ticket to all the touristic Places

DOES NOT INCLUDE:

International or Local Airfare
Meals while in the cities
Personal equipment

**B= Breakfast L= Lunch , D= Dinner

PRICES:

From 2 to 3 participants          U.S.$ 947.00 each
From 4 to 7 participants         U.S.$ 867.00 each
From 8 to 16 participants       U.S.$ 777.00 each

FOR MAKE YOUR RESERVATION ONLINE

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OUR PACKAGES

INCA TRAIL
SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
MACHU PICCHU TOURS
INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU 8D/7N
TRADITIONAL INKA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU 4D/3N
BRIEF INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU 2D/1N
CHOQUEQUIRAO TO MACHU PICCHU TREK 8D/7N
CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK 4D/3N
SALKANTAY/ INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU TREK 6D/5N
SALKANTAY GLACIER TREK 5D/4N
HIGHLANDS OF PERU, AUSANGATE TREK 6D/5N
NATIVE COMMUNITIES, LARES VALLEY TREK 4D/3N
LAST STRONGHOLD OF THE INCAS, VILCABAMBA TREK 8D/7N
CHACHAPOYAS CULTURE
KUELAP FORTRESS
GOCTA WATERFALL TREK 5D/4N
AREQUIPA, COLCA CANYON 3D/2N
LIMA CITY TOUR, NAZCA LINES
PARACAS NATIONAL RESERVE
BALLESTAS ISLANDS (LITTLE GALAPAGOS)
PUNO AND TITICACA LAKE 3D/2N
MANU BIOSPHERE RESERVE 8D/7N
PERU RAFTING
URUBAMBA ONE DAY RAFTING
URUBAMBA TWO DAYS RAFTING
WHITEWATER RAFTING APURIMAC RIVER 3D/2N
TAMBOPATA RIVER, JUNGLE RAFTING 9D/8N