El Centro Poblado de Olan is located on the hill with the same name in the town of San Pedro de Utac (2841 meters above sea level) in Amazonas, northern Peru. The Prehispanic Olán archeological complex has three areas: north, south, and middle, each has its own unique features.
The north coast has circular platforms, which are typical of Chachapoyas architecture. It also has buildings with balconies and friezes. In the southern section, there are at least three round towers, the highest of which is about five meters high.
It is a residential complex where people lived between 1100 and 1300 AD. This complex has a crescent shape, rising above the surrounding hills where the settlement is located.
Olan is a superb example of Chachapoya architecture, noted for its history and beauty. Olan is divided into four zones: Pircacunga, Pumaurco, Olán, and Sunipirca. It shows many features of the Chachapoya building. Pircacunga features eight traditional circular platforms typical of Chachapoya architecture
Olan is different from other Chachapoyas structures as it was a ceremonial center. There are residential centers, cemeteries, fortifications, mausoleums, and human remains. Olan stands out because of its lavish ornamentation.
Friezes are abundant and artistically noteworthy at this location. These friezes keep the Chachapoyas tradition as they show the people's religious passion, especially their reverence for creatures such as the puma, shown by rhomboid friezes, and the serpent, shown by zigzagging ones.
Olán depicts typical geometric motifs, these are seen in Chachapoya buildings within a well-preserved structure.
Sunipirca's lush greenery makes it difficult to see the structures properly. Among these zones, Olán stands out for its fancy building decorations that show the residents' devotion to their gods.
How to Get there
To reach Olan, travel to San Pedro de Utac from Chachapoyas, which takes about three hours, then walk for approximately half an hour to reach the archaeological site of Olan. However, keep in mind that the Amazonas region experiences constant humidity and rainfall throughout the year, so we recommend avoiding the rainy season when the weather can be stormy.
To reach this archaeological site, guests must travel about three hours from Chachapoyas to San Pedro de Utac. From there, they will take a half-hour walk to see a Chachapoyas ruin of at least 500 circular structures. The structures can be seen from the starting village.
Weather
We recommend visiting this area during the dry season, which runs from May to October.
