Kuélap, city of the Chachapoyas

Kuélap sits atop a 3000m mountain and is branded the Machu-Pichu of the north. It was constructed by the Chachapoyas civilization, who occupied the catchment area of the Utcubamba river, a remote and isolated portion of northern Peru. The Chachapoyas are also known as the cloud people since the mountains they lived in are shrouded in clouds in many seasons - hence also the cloud forest vegetation in the region.

The Chachapoyas seem to like high places and this means many of their structures are hard to access. Kuélap is relatively recently discovered and still in the process of being explored and uncovered. It is a mountain top walled administrative town/ fortress/ sacred mountain with emphasis depending on what theory you read. There may have been around 3000 people living there. The most recent theories seem to favour the religious and sacred aspect, with temples, some tombs and evidence of sacrifices. The settlement dates from 500 to 1100AD and predates Machu Pichu by some 500 years.

Arrival at Kuélap is impressive and is much eased by a smart new telecabin which avoids a long long drive. Even from the top of the lift, there is still an uphill walk to reach the entrance. The view is dominated by the high stone walls that surround the long narrow settlement. Perched high with 360 views around, it is a magnificent location.

The 3 entrances are impressively deep long narrow and steep. One person wide and easy to defend. Inside, every building is circular, many showing a hearth, platform, and some a drainage channel or grinding stone.

The Incas arrived around 1470 and appear to have continued to use Kuélap as a sacred place, adding some rectangular buildings. The site was abandoned after the Spanish conquest of 1570.Read more