Explore the abandoned cities, mountain highways and hidden burial chambers of the mysterious pre-Incan Chachapoyas culture.

Deep in the cloud forest of northern Peru's Amazonas region, these sites are dominated by the mighty fortress of Kuelap, a complex of over 400 buildings perched majestically atop mountain cliffs overlooking the verdant Andean landscape. The region is largely untouched by international tourism and makes an excellent destination for someone with a taste for adventure, an interest in archaeology and a desire to get off the beaten path.

Day 1 – Chiclayo to Chachapoyas
In the morning, depart from Chiclayo in an air-conditioned car. The all-day drive takes you through an incredible range of zones and climates. You begin in the deserts around Chiclayo, and climb over a low Andean mountain range. The road then cuts through lush, green rice paddies and across the Marañon River. Here, the land becomes hot and dry, studded with cactus as you begin to follow the Utcubamba River and watch the dry grasslands give way to lush, misty cloud forests. You arrive at the hamlet of Chillo, near Chachapoyas, in the late afternoon and spend the night at Hostal Chillo. Box lunch and dinner included. L, D


Day 2 – Chachapoyas
After breakfast, we'll take an excursion by horse to visit the colorful funeral tombs of Revash perced high on a cliff, overlooking a valley and tributary of the Utcubamba, near the town of Santo Tomas. The cliff walls of Revash are decorated with geometric designs and figures of camelids. Some of the tombs are decorated with T and crosss-shaped niches.  Box lunch.  We'll then head to the town of Leimebamba to visit an amazing collection of pre-Inca mummies discovered in the nearby Laguna de los Condores. Return to the Hostal Chillo for the night. B, L, D

Day 3 – Chachapoyas
In the morning we'll visit Kuelap, the spectacular pre-Inca walled fortress hidden atop a precipitous mountain. Built by the Chachapoyas people to deter invaders, Kuelap was discovered 60 years before Machu Picchu. It is not as well known to the outside world, in part because of its remoteness. Recently, it has captured some international attention but still remains, essentially, an off-the-beaten-path destination. We'll have a box lunch at the ruins and return for dinner to Chillos and stay overnight at Hostal El Chillo. B, L, D

Day 4 – Chachapoyas to Chiclayo
After an early breakfast, make the return trip to Chiclayo by road, crossing back through the cloud forest and rice paddies, over the Andes and back to Chiclayo. Box lunch included. We'll arrive in the late afternoon where you'll be transferred to your selected hotel. B, L

The Lost World of the Chachapoyas
Trip length	4 days/3 nights
Departs	Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from May to October. Private services available on request.
Group size	2	3	4	5 or more	Single Supplement
Per person cost	$890.00	$790.00	$790.00	$730.00	$90.00
Prices based on 3-star hostel accomodations. International and domestic airfare not included. Pricing and itinerary are subject to change until booking is confirmed.