Chachapoyas is a city in Amazonas. It remains fairly isolated from other regions of Peru. To the east of the city is the Independence Square. Here there is a monument to the Chachapoyas heroes of the Higos Urco battle, on 6th June 1821. Saint Anna's Square was the first square in the city, and it was here that the first church of Chachapoyas was built. People used to celebrate the San Juan de los Indios' festivities in this square with eight days of bullfights.

Sightseeing
Visit Gocta, the world's 3rd tallest waterfall. There are many agencies and guides available, as well as trekking tours, from the 1 day trip to Gocta (a 6h walk) to a 4-5 day trip visiting the local ruins.

In the weeks leading up to the 15th August the locals celebrate the Mamasu fiestas which are well worth seeing!

Getting there
There is a daily bus service to Chiclayo and Cajamarca. There are buses from Lima that pass through and leave Trujillo, Chiclayo and arrive in Chachapoyas around 5am. Transcarh arrives from Lima, while Civa and Transervis Kuelap both come from Chiclayo. All travel from Chiclayo overnight.

A spectacular route takes two days from Vilcabamba and Zumba in Ecuador, crosses the frontier at Balsas, and goes via San Ignacio to Chachapoyas, Tarapoto, Yurimaguas or Iquitos.

Getting around
There are combis and taxis daily from Chachapoyas to Kuelap.