Levanto and Yálape

Location:
Chachapoyas, Peru

Ruin

By Lorraine Caputo

Yálape, built 1100-1350 A.D., was a major Chachapoya city. During Inca rule it served as the region’s administrative center. With the Spanish conquest, Levanto was founded close-by as the capital of Amazonas; about nine years later, it was moved to its present site, Chachapoyas.

Today Levanto is a quiet town with a rose garden plaza and an ancient church. Recent excavations have revealed the stunning friezes of Yálape ruins from beneath heavy vegetation. The four-hectare site is a half-hour walk uphill from Levanto (ask directions). Along the pre-Incan road that leads to back to Chachapoyas is Colla Cruz, a restored tambo.

Getting There
To Levanto: Collective taxis leave mornings from the Chachapoyas market and from the 100-block of Jr. Sosiego. The 16-kilometer pre-Inca road enters the Chachapoyas highway at La Molina, 5 kilometers south of the city.

Travel Tips: The entire outing will take about 8 hours, if you go by colectivo to Levanto. Be sure to give yourself enough time for the return, if walking.

Price Description: The site is free. The colectivo costs 6 soles/$2US. A guide can be hired in Chachapoyas for 20-25 soles/$6.60-8.30US.

Relative price: Budget

Open Hours from:Dawn

Open Hours to:Dusk

Travel Skills: intermediate/somewhat difficult.

You Need to Bring: Take a picnic lunch to eat up on the ridge top. The views are incredible.

The Inca Road continues on to Macro and other sites.