"LOST CITY" OF THE CLOUD WARRIORS

The term “lost city” conjures up romantic images of walls poking through vegetation or fallen buildings on mountain tops. Written about by the likes of Fawcett and brought to the silver screen by Spielberg – they do exist. Many may not be lost now but there are places in the world where you can wander through what was once a thriving population and yet see nobody else. The magical site of Vira Vira in the Chachapoyas area of Peru is such a site.

Vira Vira drapes over a high grass covered mountain and consists of round houses built by the Chachapoya culture. The view from the summit when the clouds are favorable is spectacular: a valley leading to the Amazon forest to the east and a round lake to the north, nestled between steep rocky mountains.

It is a tough trek to Vira Vira involving a 4000m high pass and winding your way through hills once heavily populated. Terraces, tombs and roundhouse remains are testament to an important and advanced culture. Recommended before embarking on the trek is to have two or three days acclimatizing - walking to Gocta Waterfall, visiting the sarcophagi of Karajia and of course the ancient walled city of Kuelap. Then after a visit to the Mummy Museum of Leymebamba you start the 5 day walk to Vira Vira via Tajopampa a site surrounded by archaeological remains including the massive tomb sites of La Petaca and Diablo Huasi.

The Northern Peru Special Adventure is the perfect way of getting to know pre-Inca Peru and experience that rare occasion of being away from it all. In 2012 the trek with start on the 15th of September.