Kuelap Tour Review – Is it Worth it?
TL;DR
If you’re debating whether to book a Kuelap tour, this honest review cuts through the confusion and tells you exactly what to expect – and whether it’s truly worth it.
If you’re trying to figure out whether a Kuelap tour is worth it, you’re likely juggling a dozen tabs right now – prices, logistics, transport, and whether you actually need a guide. We’ve been in that exact spot, and we know how confusing the whole process can feel. That’s why we put together this honest, first-hand review: to cut through the noise and share what the experience is really like, from organisation to guiding quality to whether it’s worth booking online. This guide is for travellers who want clear, practical insights – whether you’re backpacking on a budget or simply craving a seamless day trip. And we promise to keep it friendly, honest, and helpful – just like chatting with a fellow traveller over breakfast in a Chachapoyas hostel.
Honest Kuelap Tour Review
We opted for this Kuelap Fortress Full-Day Tour:
Kuelap Tour Itinerary
This is the itinerary of the Kuelap tour we did:
1. Pick Up and Cable Car
We were picked up in front of our accommodation in time and began our drive to Nuevo Tingo, where the cable car office is located. From the cable car office, we boarded a bus that took us to the actual start of the cable car.
We boarded the cabins in small groups and started our ascent to the ruins of Kuelap.
2. Exploring the Ruins of Kuelap
We regrouped with our guide at the upper station of the cable car. First, we visited the interpretation centre, where we began to learn about the history and the different structures of Kuelap using the models and graphics on display.
Afterwards, we began the approximately 20-minute walk to the archaeological site. Before we entered the actual complex, we did a quick photo stop outside the walls.
Once inside the walled fortress, our guide led us on a thorough tour of the site. We explored the different structures, admired the intricate stonework and ornaments, and learned the fascinating stories and cultural significance behind each part of this ancient Chachapoyas stronghold.
3. Lunch and Drop Off
After our visit to the ruins, we looped around to the cable car and made our way back down.
We went to a local restaurant where we could choose from different lunch options. We chose the trout, which was so delicious that we forgot to take a picture 😅
Afterwards, we drove back to Chachapoyas, where we were dropped off at our accommodation.
Kuelap Day Trip – Our Honest Opinion
We really liked our Kuelap tour. The organisation was seamless. We absolutely loved having an English-speaking guide with us. It was super helpful to have help navigate the site, starting with the cable car.
He always made sure that everybody had a good time, adjusted the pace of the tour, and gave very thorough explanations. He also willingly helped with pictures when needed.
While we like independent travel, we love a good tour when it makes your life significantly easier – and this one did.
What Other Travellers Say About the Kuelap Tour
⭐ Rating: 4.7 / 5 (11 reviews)
Excellent tour Our bi-lingual tour guide was professional and informative. We very much enjoyed this day trip to a unique archaeological site. We very much recommend their services.
– Harry (see more reviews)
What Does the Kuelap Tour Include?
The tour we did includes:
- Pick up and drop-off.
- Tourist transport.
- Entrance ticket.
- Cable car tickets.
- Certified guide (bilingual if booked).
- Lunch.
Conclusion: Is the Kuelap Tour Worth It?
First and foremost, a visit to Kuelap, the Machu Picchu of the North, is 100% worth it – especially if you’re in Chachapoyas anyway.
If the tour is worth it is a slightly more complicated question. The short answer is yes, if you want or need an English speaking guide.
Quick detour on how to visit Kuelap without a guide: We met a Spanish-speaking solo traveller in our accommodation who decided to visit Kuelap with public transport. She paid 70 PEN in total (10 PEN per way for the colectivo to Nuevo Tingo, 20 PEN entrance fee, 30 PEN cable car). She told us that she had to wait 1.5 hours for the colectivo to fill up on the way to Kuelap. On the way back, there was some confusion, so she only made it back to Chachapoyas at 6:30 p.m. We honestly do not recommend going independently, especially if you don’t speak Spanish.
If you have the time and energy to shop around in Chachapoyas, you will find Spanish-speaking tours that do not cost a lot more than going independently. This will at least eliminate the hustle of figuring out the colectivo rides on your own.
However, prices unfortunately do go up if you look for an English-speaking guide. In our opinion, it is absolutely worth it to have a guide you understand at Kuelap. Yes, you can walk around on your own, but there is no signage explaining any of the structures, so their significance will most likely be lost on you…
Who Is the Kuelap Tour for?
In conclusion, we recommend this tour for anybody who
- Does not want to figure out public transport.
- Cannot be bothered to shop around in Chachapoyas.
- Prefers an English-speaking guide.
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