48 hours more in Chachapoyas
In an earlier article, I have described what would be a visit to the Amazonas region, 48 hour in Chachapoyas. In short, you have seen what the travel guides tell you to see.
But as I mentioned in the introduction of the same article 48 hours in Chachapoyas, the Amazonas region contains many treasures, not just archaeological.
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Have a look of what you could NOT visit by remaining only 2 days in Chachapoyas:
Always more archaeology – discover the Chachapoya culture
As for archaeology, one of the remarkable things about the Chachapoya culture are the funerary patterns.
An important part of the Chachapoyas study is how they buried their dead. You might find either sarcophagi, located to the North of KUELAP, or funerary mausoleums more extended to the south of Kuelap.
How could you come to Amazonas and not visit these incredible sites, as Karajia with its sarcophagi of 2,50m of height or Revash and its mausoleums that date back more than 1,000 years?
The visit of the Sarcophagi of Karajia followed by the cave of Quiocta is a day-tour offered by the agencies located in the main square.
Well, the cave may not seem so spectacular to some of you. It has beautiful stalagmites and stalactites, but hey, we have the same in Europe or elsewhere. But the adventure side of it by walking with a battery lamp, because there is no light in the cave, can provoke some excitement.
If you are traveling in a private vehicle, you can eventually change the cave with another activity or visit.
Immerse yourself in the Chachapoya history
Another excursion, almost obligatory in my opinion, is to go to the Revash mausoleums and the Leymebamba Museum in a full day.
This museum is probably one of the most interesting in Peru. First, because it contains the history of the discovery and controversial rescue of the collection it contains. Then, for the enthusiasm generated by its construction. The owners are none other than the Leymebamba community.
Finally by the extraordinary collection of more than 200 Chachapoya or Chacha-Inca mummies.
After you day-visit including Leymebamba, you can eventually stay over-night in Leymebamba. Or you wait for the night bus that takes you on the impressive route in direction to the south. And you could continue your discovery of northern Peru with the region of Cajamarca.
Around Leymebamba, you also have the opportunity to discover other archaeological sites.
You may prefer to stay to discover the life of this village dedicated to the breeding and production of milk and cheese. You can also learn everything about the tradition of weaving, deeply rooted.
But again, then you will need another couple of days !
Meanwhile, we are already at 4 days exploring the area around Chachapoyas.
Crafts and nature are other topics to explore in the area around Chachapoyas
The study of the history of pre-Inca civilizations can also be done by studying their crafts. On the north coast, there are for example, the famous Mochica ceramics that represent scenes of life.
In Amazonas, again, are the woven fabrics of Leymebamba or the utilitarian ceramics of the town of Huancas, 8 kilometres from Chachapoyas.
The history of this town has been written in the clay. Why not visit these ceramists ladies to discover this tradition and have the opportunity to go to the canyon of the river Sonche, very close.
A canyon that is not expected in this region, but that measures almost 900 m in its greatest depth.
And out of nowhere, you can stay for more than half a day, there.
Do you like to walk while you observe beautiful landscape, mountains, discover cultures, nature and visit archaeological ruins?
To visit some of the sites listed above, it might be necessary to go for a little trek and this sometimes at an altitude of about 3,000 m.
But you can also hike at even higher altitudes if you are interested in “treks” of several days near Chachapoyas.
This coule be natural treks to observe birds, trees or wild orchids. In company of the local people that know the trails and plants just perfectly, you will discover the region of Amazonas in a different way.
Why not go on a 3 – 4 day-trek, through preserved cloudforest, beautiful landscapes, maybe combined with horseback riding, and staying in small hotels or in the house of one of the inhabitants in the heart of the Andes.
Add some archaeological sites and you can easily go for several days and culminate your trek with a visit to the citadel of Kuelap.
Yes, nature is amazing here. For example, Amazonas has not less than 800 species of birds, from the 1,800 species that are counted in Peru. Amazing !
And here I am not talking about butterflies, orchids and other animals that can be seen in the region.
But tell me, we are already explosing the counters, right? Where did our initial 48 hours go?
Yes, Amazonas is a region not yet considered as a tourist destination. As I live here, I can tell you that here you have everything you ever dreamt of.
Add to this mixture the cultural attractions of the North, Chimú, Moche, Cajamarca, the beaches, the rainforest of the Amazon. You will soon realize that Northern Peru is a destination in itself. It is THE destination of the future for Peru and any curious travelers.
Consult more articles :
- Driving licence in Peru, how it works ?
- 20 things to do in the San Martin region
- Cooking class in the San Martin region, in the North of Peru