Perou Decouverte
Perou Decouverte
Nestled at 2,400 meters above sea level, this exceptional museum preserves the fascinating heritage of the Chachapoyas civilization. A true archaeological sanctuary, it houses the treasures discovered around the Laguna de los Cóndores, offering a poignant journey through 500 years of history.
Unique collections
219 preserved mummies
Ancestral textiles
Ceremonial objects
Visitor experience
Bilingual exhibitions
Botanical garden
Specialized guides
Historical context
Cloud People culture
Laguna de los Cóndores
1997 rescue operation
Must-do excursion: All local agencies offer the museum combined with the Revash mausoleums during a full-day trip from Chachapoyas (3-hour journey via the spectacular Utcubamba road).
"Here, every mummy whispers the history of the Cloud Warriors,
every artifact reveals the secrets of a lost civilization."
Guardian of the rescued treasures of the Cloud Warriors
The museum owes its existence to an urgent archaeological mission conducted in 1997 to save the Chachapoyas treasures from the Laguna de los Cóndores, threatened by looters and weather conditions. This operation recovered:
These discoveries necessitated the creation of the museum in 2000 for their conservation and public exhibition.
Founded in 2000 to preserve these exceptional discoveries, the Centro de Interpretación Chongolape (official name) offers a fascinating immersion into the Chachapoyas civilization, the "Cloud Warriors" who built Kuélap and the Karajía sarcophagi.
Centerpiece of the museum: the 219 mummies and 3,000 artifacts rescued in 1997. Their exceptional state of preservation allows observation of:
"A haunting encounter with individuals who lived 500 years ago"
💡 Did you know? Some textiles feature up to 25 different natural dyes.
Modern display cases, bilingual panels (Spanish/English) and 3D reconstructions to contextualize the pieces.
Discovery of plants used by the Chachapoyas (medicinal, food, and ritual plants).
Options with local English-speaking guides upon advanced reservation (via agencies in Chachapoyas).
Tip: Allow at least 2 hours for a complete visit including the garden and temporary exhibitions.
Distance: 93 km (approximately 3 hours by road)
Transport: Local buses or private vehicles
Picturesque journey through the Utcubamba Valley
Tip: Combine your visit with the discovery of Laguna de los Cóndores (early morning departure recommended).
All local agencies offer this essential themed day trip:
"A perfect combination between museum discovery and adventure in nature"
For this excursion:
"Between ancestral mummies and Andean landscapes, Leymebamba offers an unforgettable journey through time.
A key stop to understand the legacy of the Cloud Warriors."