The ancient Chachapoya fortress of Kuélap, set in the cloud forests of northern Peru, is being opened up to visitors through a new mountain trail that lets people watch archaeological work as it happens. The finds from an ongoing conservation project are also due to be shown to the public in 2027.
Kuélap was built around A.D. 500 by the Chachapoya culture and remains one of the most striking archaeological sites in the Andes. Its stone walls rise above the mountain landscape, and the surrounding forest has long made the site difficult to reach. The new route is designed to bring travelers closer to the excavation work while they walk through the scenery.
The plans also include more scenic routes across the wider region surrounding the fortress, extending the opportunity to explore the landscape beyond the ruins themselves. The announcement was made in a National Geographic promotional video highlighting destinations for its 2027 list, part of a series under the banner #BestOfTheWorld.
The video did not give a specific opening date for the new trail or the finds, and it provided no figures on expected visitor numbers or costs. Further details on the timing and the nature of the discoveries are likely to emerge as the conservation project advances.