Karajía
A row of clay sarcophagi on a ledge of a limestone cliff. The Chachapoya made them about 500 years ago.
The dead on the cliff
The Chachapoya placed important dead in places that were hard to reach. At Karajía they built tall hollow figures of clay and cane on a ledge halfway up a cliff. Each held a mummy bundle.
The figures have long flat faces and are painted in white, ochre and red. Human skulls sit on top of some of them. Their position protected them from looters, and several are intact.
Karajía at a glance
- Location
- near Cruzpata, Luya province, Amazonas
- Culture
- Chachapoya
- Age
- about 500 years
- Height of figures
- about 2.5 m
- Material
- clay, cane and stone
- Local name
- purunmachus
- Walk
- about 30 minutes down from Cruzpata
- Usually combined with
- Quiocta
A view from below
A path descends from the village of Cruzpata to a viewpoint beneath the cliff. The sarcophagi cannot be approached, so binoculars or a long lens help.
The walk back up is steep, and horses can be hired.
Karajía in figures
In pictures
Select a photograph to enlarge it. Authors and licences are listed in the photo credits.
Before you go
Getting there
Cruzpata is about two hours by road from Chachapoyas by way of Luya.
On the visit
There is a small entrance fee paid to the community. The path is muddy after rain.
Good to know
Most tours from Chachapoyas combine Karajía with Quiocta Cavern.
Opening times, access rules and prices change. Confirm them before you travel: the community of Cruzpata.
