Historical land

A trip to Chachapoyas would be incomplete without seeing Peru's second spectacular hilltop ruin, the abandoned city of Kuélap. The Chachapoya people created and occupied the monument, which archaeologists believe was a key religious and political center, beginning in 800AD, making it centuries older than Machu Picchu. There is evidence that the Incas invaded before being driven out by the Spanish conquest.

Looming some 3,000 metres above sea level, Kuélap is an impressive site, with limestone walls surrounding a settlement of around 450 stone houses. It was once home to up to 3,000 people, and many of the structures still include their thatched roofs along with intricate carvings. The fortress itself contains the remains of an ancient tower, guard posts and eight metre high walls containing fortified entranceways – the walls were designed to keep out hostile groups like the Huari. Some have reconsidered the idea of the site being a defensive fortress however, due to the lack of defensive marks on the walls, suggesting it was perhaps more of a religious or ceremonial centre.