Amazon region: Get to know it and travel

Amazonas is a large region in the northeast of Peru, bordered on the west by the Cajamarca region, on the south by the Libertad region and the San Martín region, on the east by the Loreto region, and on the north by Ecuador.

This region has a small population compared to its geographical extension, it occupies 39,200 square meters and according to statistics for a couple of years ago it had approximately 380,000 inhabitants and has not increased significantly to date. And it is not surprising considering that most of the territory is jungle, and not just any, but that this region is part of the Amazon, which is the largest tropical forest in the world, considered the natural lung of the planet.

Amazonas Region Map

I show you a couple of Maps of the Amazon region, the first is a map of the area itself and the second is a map of Peru, so you can see where the region of Amazonas is located within the country.

Provinces of the region

🇵🇪 The Region of Amazonas is divided into 7 provinces and 84 districts.

What is the capital of the Amazonas region?

The capital city is Chachapoyas, this was the name of the pre-Inca culture “Chachapoyas or Sachapuyos” that inhabited this territory before it was annexed to the Inca Empire. This word is a native word that means “men of the mist.”

This civilization developed along the Utcubamba river, leaving cities in its surrounding valleys with their terraces, ceramics, tombs, temples and fortresses that testify to the progress achieved by this civilization. The Kuelap fortress is the greatest legacy of this civilization.

The capital of the department (Chachapoyas) has its own airport and is located 6 kilometers from the central town.

Tourist places of the Amazonas region in Peru

Nature is the main tourist attraction of the Amazonas region, here you will find forests, jungles, waterfalls, lagoons, waterfalls, canyons, caverns, rocky mountain ranges, hot springs, rivers and much more.

From their ancestral cultures, wonderful archaeological remains larger than the pyramid of Egypt await you, sarcophagi 2.5 meters high, impressive mausoleums at 2,800 meters above sea level, museums that house more than 200 very well-preserved mummies and buildings on the mountain range that will make you wonder: how they did it?

In Chachapoyas you can take a tourist tour of the main points of interest in a short time, the real adventure awaits you in its surroundings.

Kuelap

➡️ Kuelap: The ruins of Kuelap, also called “The Fortress” are built very close to the capital Chachapoyas, in an area of beautiful landscapes between the Andes Mountains and the Amazon Rainforest. It is made entirely with stones, between the 11th and 16th centuries AD. It is the greatest material heritage of the Chachapoyas culture. Here in Kuelap there is a cable car that is worth taking for the impressive view it offers you of the place.

Gocta waterfall

➡️ Gocta Waterfall: It is more than 700 meters high and is one of the highest in the world. To get to the site of the waterfall you have to follow a jungle-mountain route with a certain degree of complexity. However, the difficult journey is worth it, because contemplating the waterfall renews your spirit and connects you with nature.

Condors Lagoon

➡️ Laguna de los Cóndores: it is 93 kilometers from Chachapoyas, it is 21 kilometers long. Near the lagoon, 219 mummies were found and transferred to Leymebamba where they rest in a public museum. The lagoon is dark in color because it is rich in tannic acid, a substance released by plants. To visit the mausoleum from which the mummies were taken, you have to cross the lagoon by boat and walk 45 minutes through mud and mud on a hill that is difficult to access, but if you like it, at the end you will see this incredible cemetery.

Purunmachos o Sarcófagos de Karajía

➡️ The Purunmachos or Sarcophagi of Karajía: They are a set of coffins or sarcophagi discovered in 1843 with human figures 2.5 meters high and were made according to the Chachapoya tradition with gigantic size and careful elaboration that are nearly 1000 years old and have resisted outdoors in an incredible way.

Sonche canyon

➡️ The Sonche Canyon: Just 20 minutes from the capital Chachapoyas is the Sonche Canyon. At its top, at 2,620 meters above sea level, you will find El Mirador de Huancas, this place is not suitable for people with fear of heights, from there you can see the canyon 11 kilometers long and 100 meters deep. An impressive landscape.

If adventure, nature and archaeological discoveries are your thing, this is the ideal destination for you! Whether you are from Peru or a tourist from abroad, the Region of Amazonas will surprise you.

Economy in Amazon

The main economic source of the Amazonas area comes from livestock and agriculture. Rice, coffee, cassava and plantain are the most important products grown in this region. Although its territory is not highly exploited because it is largely jungle, it has become an important producer in the country, reaching between 10 and 20% of national production in some products such as rice and coffee. .

The weather in Amazonas

☀️ In the Amazonas region the climate is temperate, if this word does not tell you much, I will explain, the average temperature of the entire region is 25 degrees, this department is approximately 600 meters above sea level. In summer, in the main cities, the temperature does not exceed 24 degrees and in winter it does not drop below 14 degrees Celsius. The thing is that in this tropical forest when it rains… “it pours with rain”.

Flora and Fauna of the Amazon area

In this jungle that is part of the Amazon you will find a great variety of trees and plants, as well as a large number of animals typical of this region.

🌼 Regarding the flora, trees with noble woods such as mahogany and cedar among others, and multiple medicinal plants stand out.

🦙 Regarding the fauna, the anteater (in Peru there are three species and they are very decimated due to the exploitation of their natural habitat for cultivation), the Andean puma and the white-tailed deer.

Typical Food of the Amazon Region

When a foreigner arrives in Peru and they talk about jungle food, they don’t quite understand what they mean. And that is what they popularly call the typical dishes of this department.

Peru is recognized worldwide for its gastronomy, among the most representative dishes of this region you will find the following dishes.

Patarashca

It is prepared by wrapping fresh fish and other ingredients in bijao or banana leaves and steaming them. It is a delicious option that stands out for the combination of flavors and aromas typical of the Peruvian jungle.

Traditionally it is prepared with fresh river fish, such as tilapia, gamitana or dorado. You can also use chicken or pork meat to vary the dish. Additional ingredients include tomatoes, onions, chili peppers, garlic, cilantro, yucca, choclo (soft corn), among others.

El Inchik Uchu

The main dish of Inchik Uchu is mainly chicken meat, although lamb or pork can also be used. The meat is cooked in a base of chili panca, chili yellow, garlic, cumin and other spices for a spicy and savory flavor.

The Chachapoyan Guinea Pig

The main ingredient of cuy chachapoyano is, obviously, the guinea pig. The guinea pig is roasted or cooked in different ways to obtain a delicious flavor. Traditionally, guinea pig is prepared with local herbs and spices to enhance its unique flavor. It can also be served with potatoes, yucca, corn and other typical ingredients of the region.

It is a very controversial dish because these small animals are seen by Europeans and citizens of other areas of the world as pets, but these types of cultural differences occur throughout all areas of the planet.

Tacacho and Cecina

It is a delicious and popular preparation that combines local and native ingredients, and represents an important part of the culinary culture of the area. The dish consists mainly of two key elements: the tacacho and the cecina. The tacacho is made with green plantains cooked and mashed until a firm and compact mass is obtained. Cecina is salted and smoked pork that is cut into thin slices. Both ingredients are native to the Amazon region.

Juanes de Yuca

It is mainly composed of cassava, which is a root similar to cassava or yam, so you understand what I mean, it is a tuber. Chicken, rice, eggs, olives are also used, and it is seasoned with local herbs and spices. A distinctive feature of Juanes is that it is cooked inside a bijao or banana leaf, which acts as a natural wrapper. This gives a special flavor to the dish and allows the flavors to mix and steam, maintaining the moisture and natural juices of the ingredients.

Most Important Festival of the Amazon Region

The most important festival in the Department of Amazonas is the Festival of San Juan. Every year, on June 24, the greatest festival is celebrated in this region in honor of Saint John the Baptist. This celebration begins with religious events and then extends with dances, banquets, sports activities and many others that integrate the entire community.

In addition to the religious aspect, the Festival of San Juan in the Department of Amazonas also has a strong cultural component. Various cultural and traditional activities take place, such as folk dances, live music, craft fairs and sporting events.