Fortress of Kuelap - Chachapoyas, Peru

In contrast to the Chiclayo culture, another pre-inca culture known as the "Cloud Warriors" who occupied the area now surrounding the town of Chachapoyas managed to leave ruins that are truly memorable.

The structure was built around 600 AD and occupied up to Colonial times around 1532-1570 AD.

For a long time the stunning fortress of Kuelap was well off the beaten path. Its now slightly less so due to improving road conditions, but nevertheless takes a fair bit of getting to. Coming from Chiclayo its a 10-hour bus ride (21 hours from Lima) on windy roads to get to the town of Chachapoyas.

A further 4 hours in a taxi or small minibus along roads that cling impossibly to the sides of a sheer mountain drop and you're at the ruins themselves. Its enough of an effort to deter the vast majority of the tourist masses who miss out on what is a truly amazing spectacle. The site is however becoming increasingly popular with Peruvian tourists and for good reason.

Reconstructed circular building distinctive of the Chachapoyas Culture in Peru. Olympus E30 + 12-60mm

This is a site where photos just won´t do justice to the spectacle. Looking at images you just don´t appreciate how big the fortress is - its outer walls are 19 meters high, and its built on a 3000 meter mountain-top.

Photo 2: Outer walls of Kuelap - These walls are 19 meters high, and form part of the largest archaeological structures in the Americas.

Photo 3: Close up of Stone Carvings at Kuelap.