The Kingdom of the Chachapoyas

Fly north to Jaén or Chachapoyas, a colonial town surrounded by swathes of high-altitude cloud forests. The Chachapoya civilisation had a culture that fiercely rivalled the Incas. Stay for 4 nights at selected hotel. (Breakfast)

Explore Kuelap fortress, so-called ‘Machu Picchu of the north,’ once home to the mysterious ‘warriors of the cloud forest. The fortress sits like a giant medieval castle on a craggy mountain ridge. Situated at a higher altitude to Machu Picchu and built a good 500 years earlier, Kuélap predates the Inca Empire and was probably never conquered by Peru’s most famous pre-Columbian culture. Sometimes described as a fortress, it was more likely a walled city (but what walls!) which at its peak might have been home to up to 300,000 people. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Today be enchanted by impressive Karajia Sarcophagi and Quiocta Cavern. An exciting combination of adventure and history. Take this opportunity to learn more about the Chachapoyas cultural beliefs and discover the impressive burial structures of Karajia, unique in the world, located on the cliff-side. Also enjoy an exciting adventure getting inside Quiocta Cavern where we will walk through the darkness with flashlights to see interesting rock formations such as stalactites and stalagmites. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Today explore and be amazed by one of the world’s greatest waterfalls called Gocta. Immerse in this adventure and access to one of the highest falls in the world, 771m high (2,530 feet), by a 6-hour hiking or horseback ride through a path in which we will able to feel the nature and have many opportunities to take pictures of the Gocta falls from different angles. Take a fresh shower from the waterfall’s spray, hear its roar and sense the mist of the falls. (Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner)

Flight back to Lima and connection back home. End of services. (Breakfast)