Kuelap – Indiana Jones Temple of the Chachapoyan Warriors

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 Chachapoyans, which means “People of the Clouds”, existed and have left dozens of ruins; among which Kuelap “The Fortress of the Clouds” stands out.

A couple of hours from the city of Chachapoyas is the fortress at 9,843 feet above sea level overlooking the Utcubamba Valley. This pre-Inca walled city is presumed to have taken over 200 years to build and millions of cubic feet of stone. Its size is hugely impressive at approximately 600 meters long and 361 feet wide with walls reaching 60 feet 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 approximately 10,000 tons. Construction began in the 6th century AD and was occupied until the Early Colony (1532-1570).

This ancient structure became known to the outside world in 1843 when the Chachapoyan Juan Crisóstomo Nieto carried out a survey of the site. Subsequently, the likes of Adolf Bandelier and Louis Langlois popularized the Fortress of the Clouds in the 19th century, trying to convincingly argue that it was more than a fortress, as it could also have served as a refuge. The city was certainly built with defensive tactics in mind to fend off the Huari, the Inca, and other threats.

The fortress has over 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 features cannot be compared to any of the other archaeological remains in Peru.

Around the year 800 AD. C., 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 unknown reasons. Behind the fortress are several ruins on various terraced levels, largely unexplored. The Chachapoyas region has approximately 1,000 recorded archaeological sites, with dozens of yet-undiscovered ruins left behind by the Cloud People.

Get there

Until recently, the Fortress of the Clouds was largely isolated, offering its mystery only to a dedicated few who were willing to trek through treacherous terrain for days to reach the site. Now you can take a day tour to the ancient site from the city of Chachapoyas. It takes one or two hours from Chachapoyas to get to the little town of Tingo. Then there is a 3 mile long trail where you have the option to walk or pay for a horse and guide. The trek offers spectacular mountain scenery and views of other Chachapoyan ruins. Arriving at the People of the Clouds masterpiece, you will be amazed at its sheer size and have much of the day to explore this amazing wonder.

The Fortress of the Clouds is the largest discovered work built by the Chachapoyas. As he views the beautiful Utcubamba Valley from the mountain plateau, he will behold the colossal enigma that is Kuelap, one of the greatest ancient monuments in the New World.