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The citadel was a military fortress which is being compared to Machu Picchu itself! Kuelap was built prior to the Inca site, designed to be a safe place, but its engineers achieved much more than that. Read about this new top destination in the jungle!
The Kuelap Citadel – Jewel of the Jungle
It is a gem indeed! Constructed on a large hilltop, from there you have a complete, enchanting view of the surrounding valley, which is the a region where the Andes chain meets the western Amazonian jungle. The location of the citadel itself is odd and impressive, just like Machu Picchu, in a way like attached to the mountain, attached to nature, which seems to have been the standard for several pre-Hispanic civilizations in Peru.
The design of the complex reflects their social organization and political situation: there are sumptuous areas for the leaders (Kuelap was part of the Chachapoyas civilization, which apparently was a theocracy), spots for astronomical observation (mainly for agricultural planning) and around 420 houses made of stone inside the fortress’ walls. These are 19 meters high, giving quite a wonderful view, and made in order to protect the area from other tribes’ invasions. The Chachapoyas were very successful at it, because they were able to remain independent from 800 to 1470 a.C., finally absorbed by the expansion of the Inca empire.
The city is now being rediscovered as an important archaeological complex
Experience the Energy and Beauty of the Site
The complex is located at 3.000 meters above sea level, on an elevated section of the Peruvian Amazonian western jungle. You will find a very clean, healthy environment, abundant tropical forests and flora, unforgettable landscapes and also will be able to feel the mighty and yet quite relaxing, invigorating natural energy flow of those jungle highlands. It was a very good, energetic place to live indeed. Nowadays, it is a new top destination for a wonderful getaway.
And there is even more about this new sensational tour! If you like hiking, it is available and takes around 5 hours, from a nearby village until the entrance of the fortress, across wonderful jungle elevations and landscapes. On the other hand, if you prefer contemporary comfort, there are cable cars which will take you there in about 20 minutes. The Kuelap archaeological site is quickly becoming a top destination for travelers both national and foreign. To me, its walls reminded those of Troy like we have seen in the movies.
Classic Tour Itinerary (Cable Cars)
8:30 am: Pick up from the hotel in Chachapoyas. Departure from there to the Nuevo Tingo village (1 hour on private transportation). 9:45 am: Arrival at the cable cars ticket office. 10 minutes car ride until the platform. 10:20 am: Landing of visitors in La Malca. Entrance tickets to the Kuelap complex. 10:35: Visitors register with passport and start the 30 minutes walk to reach the archaeological site. Professionally-guided tour for about 2 hours.
- 1:30 pm – Walk back to La Malca.
- 2:30 pm – Cable car back to Nuevo Tingo village. Typical lunch.
- 4:00 pm – Transfer back to Chachapoyas (private transportation).
- 5:00 pm – Arrival in the city of Chachapoyas.
TOUR IN PERU has been leading the market in Cusco for more than 8 years, we are a nationally-awarded travel operator with top-quality service for the Inca Trails, classic Machu Picchu trips and all our other premier packages. The new Kuelap 1 day tour can surely be a perfect addition for your stay in the Cusco region!
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