Leymebamba Museum — Attraction in Leymebamba

Nicely constructed and layed out museum detailing the discovery and recovery of artifacts and mummies from the Chachapoya dwellings and burial sites located at Laguna de Los Condores. There is a replica Chachapoya house as well as the 3 rooms dedicated to artifacts and the history of the area, the people, and the site. The highlight is of course the 219 recovered mummies held in a temperature and humidity controlled room, which can't be entered. As I stood at the window looking at each one, I really got a haunting feeling. They positioned the mummies in contorted fetal positions with their hands over their faces, which gives them a very distressing appearance. This archaeological find was really fascinating to learn about. Entrance was 15 soles (adult price) when we went and all the displays are only in Spanish, so it's not as informative if you can't understand any Spanish. Still the artifacts, displays, paintings, and mummies are still worth seeing if you're going to be in Leymebamba already. We had craft beers at the cafe afterwards as a treat. They have a Chachapoyas named Honey Kolsch style beer, made by Sierra...

The museum has a very nice architecture and some interesting artefacts from the chachapoyan culture. However, all the information boards and historical references are in Spanish. And my basic knowledge of the language did not really help. So I left knowing pretty much same as little about the chachapoyas as before going there. Also, the mummies are kept in a separate room with a glass window through which not much detail is seen, so it's not like you are walking among them or anything :) I would still recommend this place to those who understand the language well or have a particular interest in the chachapoyas but in general I've seen much more intetesting museums, for example the moche(another pre-inkan culture) museum near Trujillo was incomparably more interesting and informative. However, the Lleymebamba region itself is very beautiful, we spent a full week here. It's definitely not just the museum that is worth seeing. P.S. don't miss the kenticafe...

One enters the well kept grounds after passing the sarcophagi of the Chachapoyas that can still be found at Karajia. Cars can be parked at a small parking lot outside the gates, away from the winding main road.

The museum is equally well kept with a fresh look and feel. There is plenty of information and it is detailed and much better than most of the museums we have seen in Amazonas.

The museum also has a nice café inside, where a friendly Japanese lady served us with a smile and perfect Spanish. The museum shop is well stocked with high quality articles and equivalent prices.

All in all, a very nice morning or afternoon out....