Chachapoyas, Ancient colonial city in northern Amazonas Region, Peru.
Chachapoyas is a city in the northern Amazonas Region, set in the Utcubamba valley and surrounded by mountain ranges. Narrow streets climb gentle slopes and pass houses with tiled roofs and inner courtyards that recall the colonial period.
A Spanish conqueror founded this settlement in 1538 east of the Andes, making it one of the oldest Spanish foundations in the area. Later it served as a base for expeditions into the surrounding valleys and fortresses of native cultures.
The name comes from an old language and means either "cloud warriors" or "cloud people," referring to the mists that often wrap the surrounding mountains. In the morning you can see locals heading to the markets or gathering at cafés around the central plaza to drink coffee grown in the region.
A nearby airport connects the city to other parts of the country, while buses run regularly to Chiclayo and Cajamarca. The altitude of 2,335 meters (around 7,660 feet) can tire the body easily, so move slowly and drink plenty of water.
Engravings in rocks about 20 kilometers away show animals, plants, and hunting scenes that are around 3,000 years old. Archaeologists still puzzle over which group created the images, since the symbols are much older than the best-known cultures of the area.
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