Kuelap Ruins

At 3,000 metres above sea level, on the summit of a cloud-covered mountain, the fortress of Kuelap once served as the political, religious and military centre of the Chachapoyas people. Walls up to 20 metres high protect around 500 circular structures, and a cable car makes the site easy to reach, so you can spend your energy on the stonework itself, with its remarkably fine finishes and carved friezes of jaguars and snakes, symbols of power. Temples, plazas and dwellings blend naturally with the surrounding landscape, and from any vantage point within the complex the whole valley spreads out below. For a deeper understanding of the site, have a guided visit with Dr Peter Lerche, the German archaeologist and former director of Kuelap, while more adventurous travellers can add the lesser-known but equally captivating citadel of Macro. A moderate walk of around five kilometres brings together the monumental architecture, the history and the natural beauty that make the visit so rewarding. Among the most memorable things to do in Peru, Kuelap ranks as one of the most popular attractions in the north of the country.