Explore the Hidden World of the Cloud People

Chachapoyas

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On this journey for explorers, we trek into the fascinating world of the Chachapoya—the Cloud People—creators of a little-known civilization that once held sway over a wide swath of the northern Andes of Peru. Our journey combines archaeology, mountain adventure, and a challenging trek that links the tombs and ruins of this ancient intriguing culture. The Chachapoya warrior-shaman culture reigned from 800 AD until their conquest by the Incas in 1470. Today Chachapoyas is a mystical region of steep mountains, orchid-draped cloud forests, and a treasury of ruined citadels, ancient mummies, and mysterious cliff tombs. Travelers are a rarity here—we’re not likely to see another group on our trek—and we enjoy a sense of true exploration as we hike stone-paved Inca trails to mist-shrouded ruins.

Below is an Itinerary-in-Brief. To view a complete Detailed Itinerary, Download Full Itinerary or Email our Area Specialist

Itinerary-in-Brief

Days 1-3
Lima / Chiclayo / Royal Tomb of Sipan

After a visit to Lima’s Larco Herrera Museum, with its vast collection of exquisite Moche pottery, we fly to the coastal city of Chiclayo and visit the Royal Tombs Museum, which houses the treasures of the incredible Lord of Sipan tomb of the Moche culture. It is the richest unlooted tomb ever excavated in the Western Hemisphere.

Days 4-9
Chachapoyas / Karajia / Kuelap

In the remote Chachapoyas region high in the Andes, we explore and hike among the dramatic sarcophagi of the Chachapoya, including Karajia, a spectacular funerary site in a cliff wall. One of our hikes follows a paved Inca trail above the Utcubamba River valley, with stunning views of the pre-Inca walled citadel of Kuelap. Another day’s hike brings us up to the cliff mausoleums of Revash, tucked into ledges of limestone cliffs and colorful with their red pictographs. Overnights are in simple lodges.

Days 10-16
Leymebamba / Chachpoyas Trek

Leymebamba’s fantastic museum houses the Inca and Chachapoya mummies discovered in 1996. We visit the museum then head out on our 7-day trek among the cliff tombs of the Chachapoya. We trek through high, lush valleys and below massive cliff walls, at times on stone-paved Inca trails along serene mountain lakes and up to mist-shrouded ruins. The amazing chullpas (cliff tombs) of the Chachapoya are sometimes located 500 feet up the face of sheer rock walls, leaving us to ponder how the Chachapoya scaled these heights to first build the tombs and then worship their mummified ancestors. Among the sites we explore are the extensive ruins of Papamarca (11,580') and the magnificent site of Vira Vira (13,173'), chronicled in Warriors of the Clouds by explorer Keith Muscutt. Overnights are in camp, with Wilderness Travel’s full-service camping amenities.

Days 17-19
Cajamarca

Driving through beautiful, green farmlands and river valleys, we head to the lovely colonial city of Cajamarca, with a day to explore the city. Our restful hotel is a spa with hot baths, a steam room, and lovely grounds. Depart via Lima on Day 19.

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Tour Costs $3695 (10-12 members) $3995 (8-9 members) $4295 (6-7 members) $4695 (4-5 members) Single supplement: $375 Internal airfare: $290 (subject to change) *Prices are for 2008 dates only **Airfare is not included in Tour Cost unless indicated

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