TOURIST INFORMATION
AMAZONAS |
| GENERAL DATA |
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Location:
The department of Amazonas is situated in the northeast
of
Peru Area: 39 249
km2
Capital: Chachapoyas
Altitude: 2 334 m.a.s.l. |
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| ACCESS ROUTES |
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By land:
The most advisable route is Lima-Chiclayo-Chachapoyas
(1 225 km), about 24 hours by car.
An alternative route is Lima-Trujillo-Cajamarca-Celendín-Chachapoyas
(1 199 km), about 26 hours by car.
By air: Although there
are no regular flights, it is possible to contract flights
for groups from Chiclayo. |
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| HISTORICAL OVERLOOK |
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The Chachapoyas Culture developed in the
southern part of the Amazonas department. Later, under
the rule of Inca Tupac Yupanqui in 1 475, it was dominated
by the Inca Empire. The archaeological ruins of Kuelap
are a testimony of the demographic intensity and importance
of this culture.
The city of Chachapoyas was founded on September 5th 1
538, when it became the capital of eastern Peru and the
operating center for the conquest of the jungle, which
explains the significant colonial influence.
The large Main Square and the design of the narrow, cobble-stoned
streets reflect the Spanish influence.
The current population of Chachapoyas consists mainly
of migrants from the highlands and adjoining valleys. |
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| ATTRACTIONS IN THE CITY OF CHACHAPOYAS |
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Plaza de Armas
– Main Square
This square has a bronze fountain of a colonial origin.
Also prominent are the Provincial Town Hall and the Archbishop’s
see located in the house that was the birthplace of Toribio
Rodriguez de Mendoza, who fought for the Independence
and whose monument sits on the main square.
Independence Square
Jr. Amazonas, block 3.
This square contains a monument commemorating the Battle
of Higos Urco in June 6th 1 821, when Colonel Jose Matos
organized an army of 600 men to fight against the Spaniards.
Lord of Burgos Church
Corner of Jr. Amazonas and Jr. Hermosura, Los Burgos Square
Visits: Monday to Saturday 8:00-18:00.
Contains a number of colonial images.
Santa Ana Church
Calle Chincha, block 1, opposite the Santa Ana Square
Visits: By appointment.
This was the first church of its kind to be built by the
Spaniards.
Yanayacu Well
Situated in Mount Luya Urco, it was built by Santo Toribio
de Mogrovejo and has become a legendary spot and a fountain
of love.
Higos Urco Plains
Situated in Prolongacion El Triunfo in the Higos district,
a historical spot where the battle of the same name was
fought. |
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| OTHER CITY ATTRACTIONS |
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| Santa Lucía Grotto, Santa Isabel
Orchid Nursery, among others. |
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| OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY |
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Kuélap
Fortress Hipervinculo a Paquetes en Chachapoyas
74 km southwest of Chachapoyas, Tingo, about 3 ½
hours by van.
It was built by the Sachapuyos culture around 800 AD.
The building has rhomboid friezes, vaulted niches in the
walls and the so-called enigmatic ink well because of
its inverted cone shape. Narrow walled funnel-like passageways
lead into the building, strategically built to prevent
invaders from entering.
Given the prominent features of the buildings, it is assumed
that many chieftains had the language, religion and architecture
in common.
San Antonio Tunnels
72 km from Chachapoyas in the San Nicolas district, about
3 hours by van, there are some rocky formations that cross
over the river, like natural bridges. |
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| OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST |
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Los Cóndores
Lake (Hipervinculo a paquetes en Chachapoyas)
Also known as the Lake of the mummies, situated in the
Leymebamba district, where about 280 mummies and approximately
3 000 pre-Inca and Inca objects were discovered.
Leymebamba Museum Hipervinculo
a Paquetes en Chachapoyas
Av. Austria s/n, Leymebamba.
Visits: Monday to Friday 8:00-13:00 and 15:00-17:00.
This museum exhibits the mummies and objects found in
Los Condores lake.
Sarcófagos de Karajía
Hipervinculo a Paquetes en Chachapoyas
48 km northeast of Chachapoyas, Luya.
These baked mud caskets are 2 m long, with flat, broad
faces and decorated with geometric figures. They are strategically
located at the top of a limey rock crest.
Visits can also be made to the towns of Huancas, Yálape,
Macro; the Chaquil and Corontachaca thermal-medicinal
fountains in the Bongará province, the Utcubamba
river valley (habitat of the yellow-tailed monkey), the
Aguaruna and Huambisa native groups, the Numparket waterfalls,
the Ocol palm forest, lake Huamampata (Mendoza), among
other sites. |
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| FOLKLORE |
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| The area is characterized by its dances,
the most popular being the Chumaichada, Danza de Levanto,
Ancashkeskin, Las Trenzas and La Chuquiac The town of
Jalca is officially acknowledged as the folklore capital
of Amazonas. |
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| GASTRONOMY |
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Typical dishes:
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Purtumute (Seasoned boiled beans served
with stewed corn and fried dried river fish). |
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Picante de cuy (Guinea pig stew cooked in a peanut
and red pepper sauce). |
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Juanes de yuca (Boiled and grated cassava mixed
with rice and seasoned chicken, all wrapped in bijao
leaves and boiled). |
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Cecina (Salty dried beef or pork with an exquisite
flavor). |
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Tamales (corn paste stuffed with meat, wrapped
in banana leaves and steamed). |
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Humitas (sweet corn paste stuffed with cinnamon
and raisins, wrapped in corn leaves and steamed). |
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Inchik Uchu (boiled cassava served with peanuts,
hot chili peppers and coriander). |
Traditional beverages:
Mistela, Aloja, Guarapo (fermented sweet cane beverage),
Abejadito, milk liqueur, mulberry liqueur, Chuchuhuasi
(spiritous liquor made with a bitter root, very popular
throughout eastern Peru). |
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| FESTIVITIES |
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Chachapoyas Tourism
Week (June)
Recreative, social and cultural activities. Raymillacta
de los Chachapoyas is a folklore event held in Chachapoyas,
where the best folk dances, customs, etc can be appreciated.
Festival of the Patron Virgin
of Asunta (August)
This is the most important religious celebration in Chachapoyas,
which includes a procession through the streets carpeted
with dyed sawdust. There are artisan fairs, agricultural
fairs, Peruvian pace horse shows, fireworks, dancers and
a variety of social, cultural, tourist and recreational
activities. |
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| SERVICES |
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Airport
Chachapoyas.
Shundor area.
For commercial aircraft no larger than a FOKKER-28.
Mendoza.
Mariscal Benavides district.
For commercial aircraft no larger than a FOKKER-28.
Land Transport
Chachapoyas.
Although there are no bus terminals, most transport
companies line up on bocks 3 and 4 of Jr. Ortiz Arrieta
and blocks 6 – 10 of Jr. Libertad.
Health Centers
Chachapoyas.
Chachapoyas. General Hospital.
Jr. Triunfo s/n.
Phone: (044) 77-7016 / 77-7706.
24 hour service.
Bagua.
Bagua Hospital.
Av. Principal 980.
Phone: (044) 77-1160.
24 hour service.
Police Stations
Chachapoyas.
Jr.Ayacucho 1 040.
Phone: (044) 77-7116.
24 hour service.
Bagua.
Av. Héroes del Cenepa 1 700.
Phone: (044) 77-1416.
24 hour service.
Handicrafts Markets
Chachapoyas.
Most handicraft stores are located on block 7 of Jr.
Dos de Mayo and block 7 of Jr. Ortiz Arrieta.
Post Office
Chachapoyas.
Jr. Grau 561.
Phone: (044) 77-7019.
Open: Monday to Saturday 7:45-20:15.
Bagua Grande.
Tupac Amaru Market.
Phone: (044) 77-4505.
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00-16:00.
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