August 12, 2018 – August 15, 2018
The Chachapoyas (Cloud People) began building the fortified city of Kuelap in the 6th century AD, 600 to 900 years before Machu Picchu. The walls surround an area of 584 metres by 110 metres, and reach heights of up to 20 metres. Inside are the ruins of circular homesteads and temples. The setting for this is the top of a remote mountain, 3,100 metres above sea level (about 700 metres higher than Machu Picchu), in northern Peru, providing incredible views of the surrounding valleys. So why have you maybe never heard of Kuelap? Well, until recently it was very difficult to get to, but a recent investment in a cable car has opened up the site, which some claim to be as important as the more famous Machu Picchu.