A Guide To Pueblo de los Muertos
Pueblo de los Muertos - also known as Tingorbamba - is a stunning archaeological site located in Luya province, in the Department of Amazonas. It is at 2,300 m (7,600 ft) above sea level to the north-east of the city of Lamud, on the west bank of the Utcubamba River.
Translated as ‘Village of the Dead’, the complex features over 50 funerary structures built by the Chachapoya culture, which was known for its distinctive burial practices of entombing elite groups and individuals on the sides of cliffs.
The structures can be divided into two categories:
On the higher ledge are mausoleums (chullpas) that look like the remains of miniature houses.
They were built in a U shape, with the mountain side being the back wall.
The other walls, constructed of stone and clay plaster, reach up to 3 m (10 ft) in height. They are decorated with bas-relief images of mysterious icons that may be stylised representations of the natural world.
2. On lower ledges are sarcophagi that show anthropomorphic features with a prominent jaw (similar to, but smaller than those at Karajia).
They were made of stones, sticks, reads and vegetable fibre covered in a clay mortar.
On the cliff walls there is rock art with imagery associated with the funerary process.
Aside from the archaeological interest, the views at Pueblo de los Muertos are worth the journey.
The ecosystem in the immediate area is dry, thorny forest and scrub, but one can see a wonderful panorama of the Utcubamba valley as the river flows roughly northwards towards the Marañón River … and eventually into the Amazon.
On clear days, Gocta Falls is also visible, along with a number of smaller cataracts.
How to Visit Pueblo de los Muertos:
Lamud is the nearest town to the archaeological site, which is 38 km (24 miles) from Chachapoyas - roughly an hour’s drive.
From Lamud, it is a further 11 km (7 miles) on an unpaved road, followed by 2 km (1.2 miles) on foot to get to the lookout point.
A visit to Pueblo de los Muertos is included on Day 1 of the 4-day Gran Vilaya Trek.
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