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Archaeological site · Chachapoyas, Amazonas
Sarcófagos de Karajía
A group of clay human-shaped sarcophagi up to 2.5 meters high, placed by the Chachapoya culture in a niche of a rock face, with sculpted heads and human skulls on top.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Sarcófagos de Karajía
The Karajía sarcophagi are located in the district of Trita, in the province of Luya, near the village of Cruzpata, west of Chachapoyas. They are funerary figures of the Chachapoya culture, made of clay, stone and straw over a framework of rods, and contained mummies inside.
The sarcophagi are human-shaped, with elongated faces, prominent chins and bodies painted white, yellow and red, reaching up to 2.5 meters high. They are aligned in a niche of the limestone cliff, in a hard-to-reach place, facing the valley. On some of them are human skulls, which may have belonged to important ancestors.
The position high on the cliff helped preserve the group. The site was studied by archaeologist Federico Kauffmann Doig in 1985, but the sarcophagi were already known to local residents.
The visit is made from the valley floor, where the cliff face can be seen. From Cruzpata, a trail descends to the viewpoint in front of the sarcophagi.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 hour for the trail and the viewpoint; the trip from Chachapoyas takes half a day or a full day.
Best time
In the morning, when the light hits the rock face. From May to September the trail is usually drier.
How to get there
From Chachapoyas continue to Luya and Cruzpata, about 1h30 by road. From Cruzpata, a trail of about 20 minutes descends to the sarcophagi viewpoint.
Tip
Bring binoculars or a camera with a zoom to see the faces and skulls up high. The return is uphill; walk at your own pace.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Sarcófagos de Karajía
What are the sarcophagi of Karajía?
Funerary figures of the Chachapoya culture, in human form, which housed mummies inside. They sit in a niche of the rock face.
How large are they?
They reach up to 2.5 meters in height.
Can you get close?
No. The visit is from a viewpoint at the bottom of the valley, facing the rock face, reached by a trail from Cruzpata.