An ancient structure called Kuelap may have inspired the beginning of the movie “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” The novel tells us that Indiana Jones was looking for the Temple of the Chachapoyan Warriors in the Andes of northern Peru. The Chachapoyan, which means “People of the Clouds”, existed and left dozens of ruins; most notably Kuelap “The Fortress of the Clouds”.
A couple of hours from the city of Chachapoyas is the fortress at 9,843 feet above sea level overlooking the Utcubamba Valley. It is presumed that this pre-Inca walled city took more than 200 years to build and millions of cubic feet of stone. Its size is enormously impressive, at about 600 meters long and 91 meters wide, with walls that reach 18 meters in height, making Kuelap one of the largest stone structures in South America and the world. An estimated 100,000 stone blocks make up the two outer defensive walls, which weigh about 10,000 tons. Construction began in the 6th century AD and was occupied until the early colonial period (1532-1570).
This ancient structure became known to the outside world in 1843 when Chachapoyán Juan Crisostomo Nieto surveyed the site. Subsequently, people like Adolf Bandelier and Louis Langlois popularized Cloud Fortress in the 19th century, trying to make compelling arguments that it was more than just a fortress, as it could also have served as a refuge. Without a doubt, the city was built with defensive tactics in mind to defend against the Huari, the Incas, and other threats.
The fortress has more than 400 buildings within 5 levels of walls complete with housing for thousands of residents. Symbolic figures still decorate some of the walls and human bones can be found inside. Its unique characteristics cannot be compared to any of the other archaeological remains in Peru.
Around 800 AD, the Chachapoyas (Sachapuyas) culture dominated the Chachapoyas region and reigned for more than 4 centuries until its conquest by the Inca Yupanqui in 1452. The Incas used many of the Chachapoyas to help them build their own structures. The Chachapoyans of Kuelap had completely abandoned their city long before the arrival of the Spanish, for reasons unknown. Behind the fort are several terraced, multi-tiered ruins, largely unexplored. The Chachapoyas region has approximately 1,000 recorded archaeological sites, with dozens of yet undiscovered ruins left by the People of the Clouds.
Get there
Until recently, the Cloud Fortress was highly isolated, offering its mystery only to the dedicated few who were willing to walk through treacherous terrain for days to reach the site. Now you can take a day trip to the ancient site from the city of Chachapoyas. It takes about an hour or two from Chachapoyas to reach the small town of Tingo. Then there is a 3 mile long trail where you have the option of walking or paying for a horse and your guide. The hike offers spectacular mountainous scenery and views of other ruins in Chachapoyán. Upon arriving at the People of the Clouds masterpiece, you will be impressed by its sheer size and have much of the day to explore this astonishing wonder.
The Fortress of the Clouds is the largest work discovered built by the Chachapoyas. As you gaze at the beautiful Utcubamba Valley from the mountain plateau, you will behold the colossal enigma that is Kuelap, one of the greatest ancient monuments in the New World.