Every June, the Raymillacta Festival in Chachapoyas, Amazonas, brings a fiercely alive celebration of culture, nature, and history that invites adventurers into a vivid encounter with the region's past and present. This festival doesn’t just happen in one place—it flows through the forests, climbs alongside ancient ruins, and settles over the city streets where traditions pulse with energy.

The journey often begins with a hike through rugged trails leading to the ruins of Gran Pajatén, near the village of Raymillacta. The path covers roughly 15 kilometers round trip, with an elevation gain of about 500 meters. Terrains vary from layered stone stairs of forgotten civilizations to thick, tree-lined routes where the forest challenges your steps. The currents of the nearby Utcubamba River push forward beneath your crossing bridges, daring you to move deeper into the wild heart of Amazonas.

The trail itself demands steady footwear and a moderate fitness level. Hikers encounter earth softened by humidity, slippery rocks, and occasional fallen branches—without attention to preparation, the trail quickly reminds you that the region moves to its own rhythm. Early mornings provide cool air and soft light filtering through the canopy. Midday sun can heighten the humidity, making hydration a necessity more than a suggestion.

Raymillacta Festival embraces this environment by linking indigenous music performances with storytelling sessions near fire-lit circles under sprawling ceiba trees. Watching locals don traditional garments, you'll grasp how the festival is a living conversation between the landscape and its people, where each drumbeat is the pulse of the forest itself.

For those planning their visit, aim for a start between 7 and 8 AM to make the most of daylight and cooler temperatures. Carry at least two liters of water, a wide-brimmed hat, and insect repellent. The forest respects well-prepared travelers, rewarding them with views expanding towards the cloud forests on distant peaks and rare sightings of spectacled bears or toucans.

Balancing excitement with reason, this hike and festival are accessible to most but demand respect for altitude, natural terrain, and seasonal weather patterns. The challenge isn’t to conquer the land but to engage with its character, experiencing firsthand what it means when a place remains fiercely itself. Here, nature doesn’t just serve as a backdrop; it acts as a partner in every step, sound, and celebration of Raymillacta’s enduring spirit.