Province of Chachapoyas - South American Destination

Pozo de Yanayacu (Yanayacu Well)
Located on the hill, Cerro Luya Urco, 1 km from the Main Square (15 minutes on foot)
The original name of the well was “Fuente Cuyana” (Cuyana Springs) and according
to tradition, single men that arrived in the city and drank its waters remained
forever, attracted by the irresistible charm of its beautiful women. Saint Toribio de
Mogrovejo came to this place and, on a rock, sculpted the figures of a miter and a
crosier, and the year.
Yalape Archeological Remains
21 km / 13 miles south of Chachapoyas (40 minutes by car)
Located at 2700 masl / 8858 fasl, this Chachapoya archeological complex dates
back to 1100 to 1300 A.D. The area is calculated to be four hectares and features
the classic circular constructions decorated with rhomboidal and zigzag friezes in
high relief.
Iglesia de Jalca
Mylene D'Auriol / PromPerú
Laguna de los Cóndores (Lake of the Condors)
93 km / 58 miles south of Chachapoyas (3 hours and 30 minutes by car) is the town of
Leymebamba. From there, it is another 45 km / 28 miles to the lake (12 hours on foot
and by mule). You will need to hire a guide.
It is also known as the Laguna de las Momias (Lake of the Mummies) since more
than 200 mummies were found embedded on the side of a cliff located on its
shores, all in good condition despite the hot and humid climate of the area. Along
with the mummies around 3000 objects belonging to the Chachapoya and Incan cultures
were found. The caves are decorated with prehistoric rock paintings
Leymebamba Site Museum
Avenida Austria, Leymebamba. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 9:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.
The city of Leymebamba is 93 km / 58 miles south of Chachapoyas (3 hours and 30
minutes by car). The museum is a 10 km / 6 miles walk from the city.
This modern museum exhibits the mummies and the objects found at the Lake of
the Condors as well as textiles, ceramics, and weapons found in the area.
Province of Bagua
Numparket Waterfall
40 km / 25 miles north of Bagua (3 hours by car and another 3
hours by mule)
This beautiful waterfall of some 90 meters / 295 feet
descends into a 20 m 2 / 215 feet 2 pool..
Pongo de Rentema(Rentama Narrows)
Take the Jaen-Bagua highway to gain access, 14 km / 9 miles from Bagua (40 minutes)
The narrows runs parallel to the Bagua-Imazita highway and is 2 km / 1,2 miles
wide at its widest point. Nearby, the Marañon, Utcubamba, and Chinchipe rivers
merge together.
Province of Bongará
Niño en fortaleza de Kuélap
Mylene D'Auriol / PromPerú
Laguna de Pomacochas (Lake Pomacochas)
You arrive at the town of Pomacochas, 84 km / 52 miles north
of Chachapoyas (3 hours by car). From there, a 1 km / 0,6 miles
walk brings you to the lake (15 minutes on foot).
The mere is 2858 meters / 9377 feet long, 2440 meters /
8005 feet wide, and located at 2150 masl / 7054 fasl. It is fed by subterranean
waters, and the color is dark green at its deepest location (80 meters / 262 feet).
The surrounding flora includes totora reeds, yedra bells, and fox tails. Among the
representative animals are herons and grebes.
Chinata Waterfall
7 km / 4 miles away from the town of Pedro Ruiz Gallo, you will arrive at the District of
San Carlos (20 minutes by car). From there, a 12 km / 7 miles walk takes you to the waterfall
(2 hours).
This waterfall is approximately 580 meters / 1903 feet, and its name means
“Spring that falls from heaven”. Abundant vegetation grows all around it, typical of
the rim of the jungle, mostly orchids, ferns, and moss.
Province of Luya
Catarata y Aguas Termales de Corontachaca
(Corontachaca Waterfall and Hot Springs)
5 km / 3 miles from Pedro Ruiz Gallo (10 minutes by car)
This is an 80 meter / 262 feet waterfall. One side has formed
a small hot spring of salt and sulfuric water. Two flows of
heated water fall from the rocks at a rate of 2 liters per minute.
Fortaleza Fortress
72 km / 45 miles southeast of Chachapoyas (3 hours and 30 minutes by 4x4 vehicle)
This impressive stone fortress was built by the Chachapoya people around 800
A.D. It is located 3000 masl / 9843 fasl and is 6 hectares in surface. There are
three defensive platforms; the first is 20 meters / 66 feet high and 680 meters /
2231 feet long. Its three entrances are walled alley-ways that narrow as they climb
up to the following two platforms. Inside, there are 420 circular buildin.
Karajia Sarcophagi
48 km / 30 miles northeast of Chachapoyas (2 hours by car and another 20 minutes on
foot)
These coffins are pre-Inca tombs, some 1000 years old, implanted at the top of a
cliff. They are 2 meters / 7 feet tall, sculpted in mud, and are decorated with geometric
motives. They probably served to house the remains of the supreme tribal
leaders.
The most important dances of the department are the Chumaichada (an urban
dance), the Levanto dance, the Anchashkenken, the Trenzas, the Chuquiac, the
Carnaval de Chachapoyas dance, and the El Brazo dance.
The following list highlights some typical dishes of Amazonas:
Purtumute: Boiled beans with mote sancochado (individual grains of corn boiled
with cilantro)
Cuy con papas: Seasoned, cooked, and fried Guinea pig served with a potato stew,
toasted peanuts, chopped onions and hot peppers.
Juanes de yuca: Grated and boiled yucca mixed with rice and either chicken or
beef jerky; this mixture is wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed.
Cecina: Beef or pork jerky
Tamales: Mashed corn filled with beef, wrapped in banana leaves, and steamed.
Humitas: Mashed corn filled with seasoned beef or cheese, wrapped in corn
shucks and steamed.
Enrollado: Roast beef, rolled and stuffed with ground pork and chicken meat,
raisins, and hard boiled egg.
Traditional drinks
Guarapo: drink made from boiled and fermented sugar cane juice.
Chuchuhuasi: cordial made from a bitter root of the same name; very popular
everywhere in eastern Peru but found only in the Province of Condorcanqui.
Licor de mora: made from cordial, blackberries, and syrup.
Licor de leche: made from cordial and whey filtered drop by drop until transparent.
Pur Pur: made from cordial, fruit and pur pur seeds. Later, syrup is added.
Chachapoyan Carnival – February – March
Province of Chachapoyas
It is a mixture of Celendinas and Chachapoyan customs. It is celebrated with the
planting of “Humishas”, large trees decorated with balloons, streamers, clothing,
and other objects. In addition, there is a float contest, a carnival queen election,
social and popular dancing, and games with water, streamers, and colors