Chachapoyas

Written by Sandra Frank, Jose Quispe
05/08/2025
Picturesque narrow street in Chachapoyas, Peru, showcasing colonial architecture and a serene atmosphere.
Roberto Carlos Santillan Callañaupa, Pexels

Chachapoyas offers a journey into the ancient Chachapoya civilization, nestled within Peru's cloud forest landscapes. This destination attracts visitors with its rich history, including the magnificent mountaintop citadel of Kuelap and enigmatic cliffside tombs, alongside natural wonders such as the towering Gocta and Yumbilla waterfalls.

While not a party destination, Chachapoyas provides a laid-back environment where visitors can socialize with other travelers and locals. The town's main square, Plaza de Armas, serves as a lively central point, and the San Sebastián neighborhood offers a more local, yet still social, experience for backpackers.

Top 4 Things to do in Chachapoyas

Chachapoyas provides a range of activities focused on exploring ancient pre-Inca ruins and trekking to impressive waterfalls within the cloud forest environment.

1. Kuelap Fortress

Perched atop a mountain, Kuelap is a remarkable fortified city built by the Chachapoya civilization. Exploring this extensive archaeological complex offers a glimpse into a sophisticated pre-Inca culture with its massive stone walls, circular structures, and commanding views of the surrounding valleys. It is often referred to as the 'Machu Picchu of the North' due to its significance and scale. Visiting the on-site museum before entering the ruins provides valuable historical context.

Cost: Joining a full-day tour typically costs S/90 - S/130, which often includes transport, cable car fees, entrance, a guide, and lunch. For independent travel, a collective to Nuevo Tingo costs S/7 - S/10. The return cable car ticket is S/20 - S/23.5, and the Kuelap entrance fee is S/20.

Transport: From Chachapoyas, take a colectivo or bus from the Terminal Terrestre to Nuevo Tingo, which takes about an hour. From Nuevo Tingo, board the cable car, a 20-minute ride offering scenic views. The cable car may be closed on Mondays for maintenance, in which case a longer car ride is substituted. Taxis are also available from Chachapoyas, or for adventurous hikers, a 9 km uphill trek from Nuevo Tingo (3-4 hours) is possible.

2. Gocta Waterfall

Experience one of the world's tallest waterfalls, Gocta, with its impressive 771-meter drop. The trek to the falls leads through lush cloud forest, providing opportunities to observe diverse plant species and birds, including the unique 'cock of the rock'. The path involves uphill and downhill sections, making it a moderately challenging but highly rewarding hike to reach the base of the lower falls.

Cost: Organized tours generally cost S/90, covering shared transportation, a guide, lunch, and the entrance fee. To visit independently, a colectivo to Cocahuayco costs S/5 - S/10. From there, a moto-taxi to Cocachimba village is around S/20. The entrance fee at Cocachimba is S/10 - S/15.

Transport: Take a colectivo from Chachapoyas' bus station towards Pedro Ruiz, asking to be dropped off at the Cocahuayco junction. From Cocahuayco, a moto-taxi can take you to Cocachimba. The hike to the waterfall from Cocachimba is approximately 10 km return. Alternatively, for a different route, you can start from San Pablo.

3. Yumbilla Waterfall

Discover Yumbilla, the fifth highest waterfall in the world and the second in Peru, yet less frequented than Gocta. The hike to Yumbilla offers a serene immersion into the dense high Peruvian jungle, surrounded by vibrant vegetation like orchids and palm trees, with the constant sound of birds. This route is considered suitable for most hikers due to its well-marked path and minimal elevation changes. The experience includes viewing multiple smaller waterfalls like Medio Cerro and Cristal en route.

Cost: A guided tour typically costs S/75 - S/170, including transport, guide, entrance, and lunch. For independent access, a bus from Chachapoyas to Pedro Ruiz is about S/10. From Pedro Ruiz, a mototaxi to Cuispes, where the hike begins, costs around S/35. The entrance ticket in Cuispes is S/10 for adults.

Transport: From Chachapoyas, take a bus from the terminal to Pedro Ruiz (approximately 1 hour). From Pedro Ruiz, hire a mototaxi to the town of Cuispes, which takes about 30 minutes on an unpaved uphill road. The walking route to Yumbilla starts near Cuispes, with a hike of about 1.5 hours to reach the main waterfall.

4. Revash Mausoleums and Leymebamba Museum

Embark on a journey into the funerary customs and rich history of the Chachapoya civilization. The Revash Mausoleums are unique cliffside tombs resembling small houses, offering a fascinating architectural insight into ancient burial practices. Following this, the Leymebamba Museum provides a comprehensive understanding of the Chachapoya culture, housing over 200 mummies and thousands of artifacts, including textiles and ceramics, recovered from the Laguna de los Cóndores. The museum's gardens also host over 100 species of orchids.

Cost: A full-day tour combining both sites typically costs S/75 - S/110, which includes transport, a professional guide, entrance fees, and lunch. For independent visits to Revash, the entrance to the local tourism association is S/15. The Leymebamba Museum entrance is S/15 for adults.

Transport: Both sites are often visited via organized tours from Chachapoyas, providing direct transport. To reach Revash independently, take a bus or collective from Chachapoyas towards Magdalena or Nuevo Tingo (approximately 1h 30m - 2h 40m), then a taxi to Revash. From the drop-off point, a 1.5 km walk or horseback ride leads to the mausoleums. For Leymebamba Museum, a taxi or colectivo from Chachapoyas takes about 2 hours 30 minutes, or a mototaxi from Leymebamba town center (about 2.6 km from the museum).

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