Cidade Turismo
Peru

Before you go

Your trip to Chachapoyas.

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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Chachapoyas – Amazonas Capital

How to get there

  • Aeropuerto de Chachapoyas (CHH) Chachapoyas · 3 km
  • Aeropuerto de Jaén (JAE) Jaén (Cajamarca) · 200 km
  • Terminal Terrestre de Chachapoyas 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before booking. Chachapoyas airport, about 3 km from the centre, has flights from Lima in some seasons; Jaén airport is about 4 hours by car or van. Confirm before traveling. Buses from Chiclayo arrive at the bus terminal, near the centre.

How many days

Four days, one excursion per day: Kuélap, the Gocta waterfall, the Karajía sarcophagi and Revash with the Museo Leymebamba. The city is seen in the late afternoons, after the tours.

When to go

From May to September it usually rains less and the roads are better for excursions. From December to March it rains more, and the roads can have mud and delays. In March and April, the Gocta waterfall usually has more water.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

For the city, no: the centre is explored on foot. The tours are one to two hours by mountain road, and the most practical way is to go with agencies in Chachapoyas or by hired taxi. There are also shared vans to Nuevo Tingo, Cocachimba and Leymebamba.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Chachapoyas
  1. Morning
    Kuélap

    Leave early for Kuélap via the Utcubamba valley, and take the guided tour of the citadel.

  2. Afternoon
    Return through the valley

    Have lunch in Nuevo Tingo or in the valley and return to Chachapoyas via the river road.

  3. Late afternoon
    Plaza de Armas

    Stroll around the Plaza de Armas and the streets of white houses with wooden balconies.

  4. Evening
    Dinner in the center

    Have dinner in the centre and arrange your tours for the next days with the agency.

3 days in Chachapoyas

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Kuélap

    Guided visit to Kuélap, departing early from Chachapoyas.

  2. Afternoon
    Utcubamba valley

    Return through the Utcubamba valley, with lunch on the way.

  3. Late afternoon
    Historic center

    Late afternoon at the Plaza de Armas and the central colonial houses.

  4. Evening
    Rest

    Dinner early: the next day's tour starts in the morning.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Gocta waterfall

    Head to Cocachimba and begin the trail to the base of the Gocta waterfall.

  2. Afternoon
    Base of the waterfall

    Arrival at the base of the falls and return along the same trail, with stops at the viewpoints.

  3. Late afternoon
    Cocachimba

    Rest in Cocachimba, with a view of the waterfall, or return to Chachapoyas.

  4. Evening
    Night in Cocachimba or Chachapoyas

    Those who sleep in Cocachimba see the waterfall at the end of the day and early in the morning.

Day 3

  1. Morning
    Sarcophagi of Karajía

    Proceed to Cruzpata and descend the trail to the cliff of the Karajía sarcophagi.

  2. Afternoon
    Luya and the valley

    Lunch in the Luya region and return via the valley road.

  3. Late afternoon
    Return to Chachapoyas

    Arrival in Chachapoyas in the late afternoon.

  4. Evening
    Last night

    Dinner in the historic center.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

What to eat in Chachapoyas?

Highland and forest cuisine: cuy, pork cecina, juane (wrapped in bijao leaf), tamale, corn soups and the region's fruit liqueurs.

Is Chachapoyas cold?

The climate is mild by day and cool at night, with mist in the mornings. Bring a light jacket, a raincoat, and hiking footwear.

Can you see Kuélap and Gocta in the same day?

It is possible if you leave very early, but each tour takes most of the day. The more relaxed option is one day for each.

What currency is used?

The sol. Chachapoyas has ATMs in the center; bring cash for the villages and site entrance fees.

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