Kuelap is an important arqueological site built by the Chachapoyas civilization, one of the last kingdoms to sucumb the Inca Empire, its legacy includes one of the South Americas archeological wonders- the defensive fortress of Kuellap.located at 3000 m above the sea, comprises an urban complex of more than 400 stones building, homes, palaces, temples enclosed by a 70 foot-tall-stone wall. Strategically built between the Maraon and Utcubamba rivers. The area is surrounded by a profuse vegetation with huge trees.

In the native language Kuelap means cold place despites its located in the peruvian jungle, the weather is cold and dry during the day and with low temperature during the night.

Althought, it is beleive kuelap was a military fortress, the arqueological studies of Kauffmann Doig consider Kuelap was the center of the administrations of food production and a place of tribute to the God. It is also beleive, it was a citadel with a defensive fortress.