Altitude: 2,334-m/7,700 ft above sea level The Department of Amazonas is located in northeast Peru, in the High Jungle on the Andes Mountains eastern slopes. It limits to the north with Ecuador, to the south with San Martín and La Libertad departments, to the east with the Department of Loreto, and to the west with Cajamarca. Despite the area's predominantly warm weather, up to 40°C/104° F°, in some areas in the department's southern mountains temperatures may fall as low as 02°C/35 F°. Amazonas spreads over 41,297 km², and is home to more than 335,000 people. Chachapoyas, the capital, is a Spanish Colonial city of spacious mansions, tiled roofs, and big yards surrounded by orchards, gardens and beautiful balconies.

A Brief History

Amazonas was home to the Kuelap civilization, also called the Sachapuyos or Chachapoyas, which developed during the Inca Empire, under the rule of Inca Tupac Amaru. The Chachapoyas continued to widen their area of influence until the beginning of the Spanish conquest.

Spanish conqueror Captain Alonso de Alvarado founded the city of Chachapoyas on September 5, 1538 in its present strategic location.  Ever since, the city has served as the center of activities for Peru's eastern region.   Its area of influence spreads from the right margin of the Marañon River to Peru's northern international borders.

Main Attractions in Amazonas

Kuelap The Pre-Columbian Chachapoyas culture, conquered in the 15 th century by the Incas, has left a landscape scattered with villages and burial sites which until recently has been largely overlooked by archaeologists. Located in the cloud forests around the town of Chachapoyas in Peru's northern Amazonas Department, these sites are dominated by the mighty Fortress of Kuelap, perched majestically atop mountaintop cliffs overlooking the verdant Andean landscape. The Sarcophagi of Karajia One of the main attractions in Chachapoyas is the "Laguna de las Momias" (Mummies Lagoon), a region where archaeologists have discovered more than 280 mummies and the Karajia burial tombs, which stand 2-meters high and are made of hardened day. Wedged into a mountain cliff, the sarcophagi appear to guard over their ancestral grounds.

Yalape
Archeological Complex built around 1100 AD in stone and mud; the site spreads over four hectares and served as an urban center for the Chachapoyas civilization.

Bongara
Cradle to the world's most original and beautiful orchids.  Nearby sites worth visiting include the Pomacochas Lagoon and the Corontachaca and Chaquil medicinal hot springs. The area is also the natural habitat for the unique yellow-tailed "choro" monkey, an endangered species.