If you are taking a vacation in Peru, you should consider the less visited north of the country. Peru is not just about Machu Picchu; There is much more!
Chachapoyas – The Spanish Stronghold
Included in the secrets of the north is Chachapoyas, one of the oldest cities in Peru with a long history and its Spanish colonial influence. This small town is located in the beautiful north of Peru and its name is derived from Chachapoyacuno, a native word meaning “mountain of mist or forest”. It was originally founded on September 5, 1538 by Alonso De Alvarado and was the capital of all of Eastern Peru during the colonial era, as it served as a starting point for expeditions to colonize and conquer the Amazon jungle.
The city has remained fairly isolated until relatively recently, when better roads were built connecting it to major coastal cities such as Chiclayo, Trujillo, and Piura. The climate and the spectacular mountain ranges that surround it make Chachapoyas a unique and beautiful destination. The Spanish colonial influence is still evident in the existence of large colonial mansions with their red clay tile roofs, wooden patios and balconies with their surrounding orchards and gardens, and fields of sugar cane and coffee.
Around Chachapoyas
There are many attractions for tourists in and around the city of Chachapoyas. The city has three squares that are linked by Victoria Street, named after the victorious Chachapoyans who paraded through the city on this avenue after famous battles. The main square of the city is called Plaza de Santa Ana and it is where the first church in the city was built. Historically, eight days of bullfights were held in this plaza during the San Juan de los Indios festivities. To the east of the city is the Plaza de la Independencia where there is a monument to the Chachapoyan heroes of the battle of Higos Urco that occurred on June 6, 1821.
Other attractions near the city include the Cuyana fountain, which is located on the hill known as Luya Urco, just west of the city. This source is legendary as it has a water well sunk into a rock from which Santo Toribo de Mogrovia was able to draw water, ending a drought that affected the region. It is also considered a fountain of love as it is said that any man who drinks from the fountain will always be attractive to the women of the city. Anything goes with the desperate…
The Ancient Citadel of Kuelap
There are also many important archaeological monuments around the town that were built by the Chachapoyans. Some of these are ancient stone citadels that were built on top of mountains with commanding views and leaving more land open for cultivation. A good example of these citadels is Kuelap, three miles from the town of Tingo and an hour by dirt road from Chachapoyas.
Kuelap is a colossal structure containing millions of cubic feet of stone and is believed to have taken 200 years to build. Its tactical location between the Marañón and Utcubamba rivers, both tributaries of the mighty Amazon, has contributed to the fact that it is still standing today. At 9,843 feet above sea level, it can be reached by car, horseback, or a three- to four-hour hike. The main group of buildings is circular with a main access corridor, designed for maximum security and defense. Within the massive outer walls are more than 400 buildings in total, some of which are small round stone houses and some of the largest are up to 600 meters long and 20 meters high. Many defensive towers were strategically placed around the complex to protect the exterior and interior of the citadel from ancient invaders.
Gotca Waterfalls
Gotca Falls, located a couple of hours from Chachapoyas, remained unknown to the rest of the world until a 2002 expedition led by Stefan Ziemendorf, a German engineer, and a group of Peruvian explorers rediscovered them. At a height of 2,532 feet, Gotca Falls is the third tallest waterfall in the world if you consider its two stages together. The scenery is spectacular and the 3 hour hike to the center of the falls is well worth it as you can stand under the rushing stream at the bottom of the first drop.
Gotca Falls occur when the Cocahuayco River runs over a sheer cliff from a plateau and falls for the first thousand feet to a large ledge that breaks the torrent. The river waters then twist and turn a short distance through the vegetation and drop down the side of the second cliff to continue the descent to the base of the canyon.
Although this region is relatively new to tourism, many Peruvian travel agencies have developed tours for people interested in archeology and a sense of adventure. A journey through the landscape and history of the little-known northern region of Peru can become a magical and enchanting vacation that few people have had the opportunity to experience.