Karajía

Location:
Lámud, Peru

Ruin

By Lorraine Caputo

From a cliff ledge, six white figures dressed in red peer across the river valley. Two sport human skulls atop their pointed hats. Each three-meter-tall mud, wood and straw purunmachu (sarcophagus) contained a sole mummy. The attached heads, flat-cheeked and long-jawed, have led some to relate them to Easter Island statues. But these were created by the Chachapoya (Luya-Chillao), perhaps in the 12th or 13th century. On the ridge above was their village, now destroyed by centuries of farming. At least four sarcophagi groups compose Karajía; you can see one to the left of the star figures.

Getting There
From Chachapoyas, take a carro to Luya, then another to Cruz Pata, from where it is a 1.75 kilometer walk. From Lámud, you can walk by way of Shipata or Trita in 2-2½ hours; ask directions.

Travel Tips: You can go on day tour from Chachapoyas, also visiting Pueblo de los Muertos or Huaya Belén, for 75 soles /$25.

Price Description: An entry of 3 soles /$1 is charged. Transport Chachapoyas to Luya is 7 soles/$2.30; Luya to Cruz Pata 5 soles/$1.60.

Relative price: Budget

Open Hours from:Sunrise

Open Hours to:Sunset

Travel Skills: beginner/easy.

Near Shipata is Laguna Pietal. In Cruz Pata there is a small museum with unidentified displays.