Quiocta Cave:
An Exceptional Natural Site - Info

🌌 General Presentation of the Quiocta Caverns

The Quiocta caverns, located at 2,790 meters above sea level in the Lámud district (Luya province), represent one of the 5 most fascinating caves in Peru. Classified as a Cultural Heritage of the Nation since 2003, these caves extend for 545 to 600 meters in depth with a vertical drop of over 26 meters.

Unique feature: Quiocta is Peru's first illuminated cave, equipped with a scenic lighting system and metal walkways for a safe visit.

📜 History and Discovery

Rediscovery in the 20th Century

The Quiocta caverns were rediscovered at the beginning of the 20th century by farmers collecting orchids. This former cemetery of the Chachapoyas nobility has revealed human bones, ceramics, and artifacts now preserved at the Lámud Museum.

Heritage Protection

Declared a Cultural Heritage of the Nation by Directorial National Resolution N°196/INC on April 2, 2003, the cave benefits from enhanced state and municipal protection.

🎨 What Makes Quiocta Exceptional

• 🏛️ Archaeological Heritage: Ochre red cave paintings at the entrance, depicting geometric patterns and an unku (tunic)
• 💎 Unique Geological Formations: Stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and "gours" (natural pools) formed over millennia
• 🌊 Underground River: Watercourse captured by local populations for irrigation
• 🦇 Unique Ecosystem: Habitat for bat colonies
• ⚡ Modern Infrastructure: Lighting and walkways installed for an accessible visit

🏞️ The 7 Chambers and Their Formations

This site whimsically carved by nature houses 7 natural chambers where stalactites and stalagmites have created, over millennia, surprising figures that popular imagination has baptized with evocative names. Among these formations stand out:

• The Cemetery - a set of formations resembling ancient tombs
• The Pharaoh and the Mummy - figures evoking Egyptian royalty
• The Inca - an imposing formation recalling Andean rulers
• The Angel Watching the Nativity - a celestial scene sculpted in rock
• The Lanzón - a monumental 6-7 meter stalagmite still growing
• The Chief Watching the Princess - two formations seeming to dialogue
• The Washbasin and the Wishing Fountain - structures simulating petrified water

🚌 How to Get to the Quiocta Caverns?

Access to the Quiocta caverns from Chachapoyas follows a specific route:

• 🚐 Step 1: Chachapoyas → Luya
  • Distance: 31 km
  • Duration: About 1 hour by bus
  • Departure: Chachapoyas land terminal
• 🚐 Step 2: Luya → Lámud
  • Distance: 3.5 km
  • Duration: 15 minutes by bus
• 🚗 Step 3: Lámud → Chumblate
  • Distance: 10 km
  • Duration: 30 minutes by taxi/colectivo
  • Road Type: Dirt road
• 🚶 Step 4: Chumblate → Cavern
  • Distance: 288 meters
  • Duration: 5-10 minutes on foot
  • Trail Type: Well-marked path

🎟️ Official Rates and Hours

• 🕗 Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM daily
• ❌ Closed: On TUESDAYS (no service)
• 💰 Entrance Fees:
  • General Adult: 25 soles
  • Special Peruvian Rate: 15 soles
  • Young Traveler: 10 soles
  • First Sunday of the month: 10 soles (nationals only)
  • Free: Children under 5 and disabled persons

🌤️ Climate and Best Time to Visit

• 🌧️ Rainy Season: November to April
  • Temperature: 11°C min - 21°C max
• ☀️ Dry Season: May to October (RECOMMENDED)
  • Temperature: 8°C min - 23°C max
• 📅 Open: All year round

🎯 Available Activities

• 📸 Photography and Video: Capture the unique formations
• 🏞️ Excursions: Guided tour of the 7 chambers
• 🔍 Speleology: Exploration with specialized equipment
• 🐾 Wildlife Observation: Bat colonies
• 📚 Studies and Research: By prior coordination with the Decentralized Directorate of Culture of Amazonas

🎒 Essential Equipment

• 🥾 Footwear: Knee-high rubber boots or trekking shoes
• ⚡ Lighting: Headlamp (complementary to existing lighting)
• 🛡️ Safety: Caving helmet (mandatory for speleology)
• 🧥 Clothing:
  • Waterproof and flexible clothing
  • Complete change of clothes
  • Warm jacket
• 🌞 Accessories:
  • Hat or cap
  • Sunscreen and insect repellent
  • Trekking poles (recommended)
• 🍎 Provisions: Water and energy snacks

👥 Important Recommendations

• 🧑🏫 Mandatory Guide: For safety and site interpretation
• 👶 Minimum Age: Recommended from 10 years old
• 📋 Reservation: Coordinate in advance for scientific studies
• 💰 Money: Bring soles in small bills
• 📄 Documents: ID card mandatory
• ♻️ Ecology: Dispose of trash only in designated bins

The Quiocta Caverns represent much more than just a tourist attraction: they offer a unique immersive experience combining adventure, history, and geology. This journey into the earth's depths transports you through the centuries, from the ancient Chachapoyas civilizations to millennia-old geological formations.

Why does Quiocta stand out?

• 🌟 Exceptional Heritage: One of the 5 most fascinating caves in Peru and the country's first illuminated cavern
• 🔬 Dual Interest: Major archaeological site AND natural geological laboratory
• ⚡ Innovative Accessibility: Unique modern infrastructure (lighting, walkways) that preserves the environment
• 🎯 Complete Experience: Speleological adventure adapted to different visitor levels

🏆 An Unmissable Experience

Compared to other sites in the region, Quiocta offers an essential complementary experience:

• Unlike surface archaeological sites like Kuélap or the Karajía sarcophagi, Quiocta reveals the underground history of the Chachapoyas
• Different from natural sites like the Gocta Waterfall, it offers a vertical exploration into the depths
• Unique in its kind in the Amazonas region due to its combination of archaeology, geology, and speleological adventure

🎯 Who is this experience for?

Quiocta is perfect for:

• 🧗‍♂️ Adventurers seeking thrills in a controlled environment
• 📚 History enthusiasts wanting to understand Chachapoyas funerary culture
• 🌍 Geology lovers fascinated by cave formation processes
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families with children over 10 looking for an educational and exciting activity
• 🔬 Researchers and students interested in archaeology and speleology

📍 Extend Your Experience

To complement your discovery of Quiocta, don't miss:

• 🏺 Lámud Museum: To see the original artifacts discovered in the cavern
• ⚰️ Karajía Sarcophagi: Only 10 km away, another emblematic Chachapoyas funerary site
• 🌄 Luya Urco Viewpoint: Panoramic view of Chachapoyas
• ⚔️ Higos Urco Pampas: Historic site of the 1821 battle
• 🕳️ Other Lámud Caverns: Vaquín, Huacangral and Lemchada for the more adventurous