Things to see and do Chachapoyas

As it is difficult to find maps in the area, it is important to plan your trip in advance with a GPS. It is easy to leave directly from the Plaza de Armas de Chachapoyas on foot (1h to reach the start of the Inca Trail at the main road), but you can also ask a taxi to drop you off.

The first step is to reach Levanto(7 to 8 hours walk). The path is well marked and you can take the trail that leads to the ruins of Yalape (although a bit difficult to find). Once past Collacruz, be careful, as the Inca Trail is less obvious to follow. Spend the night in Levanto or bring a tent (at about 2,300 m, a mountain pasture awaits you; you will sleep in the meadows among the cows, with water nearby).

The next day, the destination to reach is Tingo (between 6 and 8 hours of walking). You have to go down to the bottom of the valley, cross the stream and then follow the track going up a bit, before going to the right side of the mountain. After a viewpoint, you go down again and pass in front of ruins buried in the vegetation. Once you arrive at the bottom of the main valley that goes to Tingo, you have to go up a bit until you find a cable to cross the river in a small cart! Finally, follow the road to the bottom of the valley and you will find Tingo.

The last day is dedicated to the ascent to the magnificent siteof Kuélapand to its discovery. Everything is signposted and it will take you about 4 hours.

Family atmosphere and totally local! We bathe in a beautiful place, under the trees, and next to a small river with raging rapids. To get there: the paradero is located Jr. Amazonas 833 (in Chachapoyas); jump in a car and head for Mendoza, 2.5 hours away (S/ 20). Then hail a taxi (S/ 7 per person) to Tocuya. From the tiny village square, retrace your steps a bit to take the wide dirt road on the right: 15 minutes walk.

For those who have the time, this is without doubt the most extraordinary trek and landscape in the region.

Take a Zeta Bus, a kind of 4x4 combi that leaves around 2-3 am. They pass in front of the Huaylla Belen and can leave you there.

First walk of 5 hours. We start from the sublime valley of Belén, where the river flows like a silver snake. From Belén, we join La Pirquilla to the top of La Escalera. Then we go back down towards Congon. Here you can buy food, find local guides and horses.

We advise you to reach Kuélap in 2 days-1 night. From Congon, we follow the Vilaya river for 2 hours, then there are 2 more hours of climbing to Lanche. Finally, from Lanche, 3 hours and a half in the middle of the orchid forest to Punta Yumal (3,800 meters) before descending to Choctomal and the access to Kuélap. All along, we oscillate between 2 000 and 3 000 meters of altitude.

Note that most of the sites are covered with vegetation and you might miss them and therefore not see much if you go without a guide. The trek is not well marked and it is dangerous to attempt it alone. Peru Nativo is a good agency to accompany you. Count 5 days and 4 nights to do it quietly with the visit of the archaeological site. All along the way, you will cross mystical ruins and zigzag among the misty forest with twisted trees covered with moss.