"El Complejo Arqueológico de Vilaya" or "Gran Vilaya" is the name of the site situated approximately 54 kilometers from Chachapoyas, in the Pisuquia district. The district is located in the Amazonian region's province of Luya.
The most well-known pre-Hispanic site in the region, the Kuelap stronghold, is to the west of it, at least six hectares in size. Gran Vilaya holds significance as is one of the most important pre-Inca Chachapoya sites, along with Kuelap.
What Is Gran Vilaya Exactly?
Urban centers make up Gran Vilaya. These include locations such as Cacahuasha, La Pirquilla, and La Escalera. Moreover, Mortero, El Obispo, El Secreto, Paxamarca, and Lanche. There are Chachapoya architectural remnants located there, utilized for trekking as well. One notable location in Gran Vilaya is La Escalera.
The route that links Pirquilla with Belén town was constructed before the Inca era. Gran Vilaya has an archaeological zone called Pirquilla that blends in with the cloud forest's vegetation.
During Gene Savoy's expedition, a renowned American explorer and adventurer who discovered many Peruvian ancient sites, the ruins were discovered. Beneath the misty forest, they are home to stone structures. In addition, Lanche, a massive monument perched atop a mountain, is an important location on the circuit.
In the Vilaya Archaeological Complex, most of the buildings carry on the Chachapoya tradition. Their round bases are an architectural element related to celestial bodies rotating. The complex is also full of friezes. Their forms are zigzag or rhomboid located in fortifications, towers, and homes. They have a kinship with the animal deities once venerated by the Chachapoyas. The materials for these structures are limestone and mud mortar.
Chachapoyas people worshipped the stars. It's also important to keep looking for friezes or other decorations within this complex's towers, forts, and homes. Their forms are zigzag or rhomboid and mention the animal gods directly, once worshipped by the Chachapoyas. These structures are composed of limestone that has been mortared together. Keep in mind that the entrance is free.
Travelers from Chachapoyas must first go to Pisuquia to access this Amazon attraction. They then travel to Choctamal, which is three hours distant. From there, a 4-hour hike is required to witness this Chachapoyas wonder.
Fauna in Gran Vilaya
The area has a montane humid forest that protects the flora and fauna of the Huaylla Belén Conservation Area including threatened, rare, or endemic species. It also protects the processes that sustain them.
The main species include the spectacled bear and the hairy armadillo. Also, the spatuletail hummingbird (Loddigesia mirabilis) and the mountain toucan.
There is also the parrot that eats the quina tree, the wax palm, and the romerillo. Completing the route is the archaeological site Cueva del Secreto which has sarcophagi and the Guimba Waterfall.
Location
Gran Vilaya is located in the district of Pisuquia, in the province of Luya, in the Amazon region. It is 2905 meters above sea level. For perspective, it lies 54 kilometers west of the Kuelap Fortress cable car. It is also about 6 hectares west of the city of Chachapoyas.
Climate
Gran Vilaya has a temperate, humid climate, which means that even in the rare light drizzle, the temperature is stable. The dry season, which runs from May through October, is the ideal time to visit.
