Kuelap Fortress

Historical landmark · Luya ·

Kuelap Fortress

Historical landmark · Luya ·

Ancient walled city with circular ruins and stunning mountain views

Information

Carr. a Kuelap, 01415, Peru Get directions

@travelleisure

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Visit the Ancient Ruins of Peru's Amazonas Region

"A huge, walled mountaintop settlement once populated by the mysterious Chachapoya civilization, known as the warriors of the cloud forest." - Tom Vanderbilt Tom Vanderbilt Tom Vanderbilt is a journalist and New York Times best-seller author. His articles on design, technology, science, and culture have appeared in Slate, Wired, Rolling Stone, Outside, The Wall Street Journal, Ne

https://www.travelandleisure.com/northern-peru-amazonas-region-guide-8406133

Fortaleza de Kuelap

@cntraveler

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Learning Peru's Hidden History, From the Cloud Forests of Amazonas to the Volcanic City of Arequipa | Condé Nast Traveler

"Kuélap, a place so impressive that tour operators and tourism officials hope it will divert visitors from Machu Picchu in the years ahead; it's been made more accessible by a high-altitude cable car that opened in 2017."

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/learning-perus-hidden-history-from-the-cloud-forests-of-amazonas-to-the-volcanic-city-of-arequipa

Fortaleza de Kuelap

@cntraveler

42,481 Postcards · 5,683 Cities

In Peru, the Ancient Ruins of Llaqta de Kuélap Have Reopened After More Than a Year | Condé Nast Traveler

"After damage from heavy rains prompted its closure to travelers in April 2022, northern Peru's Llaqta de Kuélap ruins—one of the largest ancient monuments in the Americas—has reopened to visitors, with limits in place. Located in the Andes Mountains in the country’s Amazonas region, the site has in the last decade or so gained popularity among international visitors, especially as an alternative to the overtouristed Machu Picchu—and is especially impressive for its scope."

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/peru-llaqta-de-kuelap-reopening

Fortaleza de Kuelap

Adrian H.

Google

Kuélap is absolutely amazing! The place is full of energy and history, surrounded by stunning vegetation and mountain views. The whole tour inside takes about 2 hours, with lots of ruins and impressive walls to explore. Entrance is S/ 20 (online only). To get there you have three options: • Hiking (very hard), • By car (Nogalcucho or Choctamal), • Or the cable car, which we chose and highly recommend! It costs around S/ 27 per person, takes about 25 minutes, and offers breathtaking views. Important note: Kuélap is not only a fortress, but a whole fortified city built by the Chachapoyas culture around 900–1100 AD. The cable car itself was built with French technology and is super modern and safe. Definitely one of the most impressive experiences in northern Peru!

Tracey H.

Google

Kuelap fortress - again, out of the way and so incredibly old and historical. Our guide Kristian really knew his stuff - we saw to most amazing pre-Incan structures. The gondola we had to ride to visit the fortress gave us panoramic views that were to die for! Good loop walk. Please note that you do need your passport with your ticket.

Darpan J.

Google

I was a bijr skeptical about heading there, but if you are already doing gocta, then why not. Archeological site is ome thing, I was more impressed by the views on this place. So good that I kept looking at them. Plus the cable car heading up is also amazing. Important thing to notice that they don't sell the tickets for the fortress itself anywhere. You have to buy it online I'm going to add the QR code to do so which also has the website. If you go to the cable car entrance, they will also tell you to book it online. And the idea to book that is that choose an entrance which will be at least 1 hour or 1.5 hours later to when you are at the cable car insurance because it will take 20 minutes to get up then almost 30 minutes of walking to that place and then you will have you will get the limit end entry so choose your entry time one or 1.5 hours later.

Dmitry S.

Google

Important note to everyone planning to visit Kuelap: it is only possible to buy the entry ticket to the archeological site online (with national or international credit card). Currently, as of August 2025, the regular ticket price is 30 Soles. The ticket to the teleferico can still be purchased on the spot (cash or national credit card only). The price was 25,50 Soles.

Chin Zhi H.

Google

A magnificent site, with all the round houses in the typical Chachapoyas style. However, do note that there was a landslide early in 2023 and some parts are still under repair (and the walk is a little muddy, since it is not intended to be the main one.). Fantastic scenery though.

Julie K.

Google

It was so amazing 👏 built 1000 years, BC!!! Unbelievable, so beautiful up here, orchids and bromeliad grow upon trees and a wealth of birds 🐦 including hummingbirds, grace the citadel. The 4km cable car 🚡 was just awesome. It's all so interesting. If you can't make the final climb, you can hire a horse. Take a guide for a full experience ✨️

A. T.

Google

Stunning.. expect a truly breathtaking experience visiting ruins of Kuélap. It’s nestled high in the cloud forests of northern Peru. Massive stone walls and hundreds of circular ruins are a testament to the ingenuity of the Chachapoyas culture. We also really enjoyed the scenic cable car ride up; which provides stunning views of the Andes. Recommend bringing good walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hydration source (though you can buy water and stuff on the hike) Definitely be prepared for some light hiking to fully explore this magnificent fortress. A must-visit for history buffs and adventure seekers alike!! Highly recommend!!

Lisa W.

Google

All I can say is wow. This site is amazing, the walk through the historical buildings is beautiful and the view is breathtaking. It isn't a huge sight and there is a 1.4km hike up hill to the actual site once you get off the cable cars but it's worth it (you could rent a horse if you wanted to). It's quite uneven so if mobility is an issue you might need to take care.