The tour begins next to the museum and covers approximately 2.5 km along the old trail that leads to the town of Atuén, until reaching the Pilcopata sector. At this point, the river forms a narrow canyon, with rock walls and forests that reach the upper reaches. The area is considered an extension of the Los Chilchos Valley Private Conservation Area and a birdwatching hotspot. One hundred and one bird species have been reported along this route, of which seventeen are considered key species for observers. Ten endemic species of Peru are also found, some with restricted distribution and others at risk of extinction.

The birds are usually found in the riparian forests of the Atuén ravine, on the edge of the passable path and on the rock walls. It is recommended to look for the following species: Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), tumultuous parrot (Pionus tumultuosus), gray-breasted Andean toucan (Andigena hypoglauca), Utcubamba tapaculo (Scytalopus intermedius), chestnut-crowned tororoi (Grallaria ruficapilla), citrine warbler (Myiothlypis luteoviridis), spectacled candelita (Myioborus melanocephalus), banded-winged tyrant (Mecocerculus stictopterus), brown-belted woodpecker (Ochthoeca thoracica), white-capped tanager (Sericossypha albocristata), blue-and-black tanager (Tangara vassorii), mountain chieftain (Cacicus chrysonotus), masked trogon (Trogon personatus), golden-headed quetzal (Pharomachrus auriceps), among other species.

This hike covers the remains of three archaeological sites: La Congona, Cataneo, and Molinete. According to the oldest residents, these were the villages where the inhabitants of Leymebamba lived before the arrival of the Spanish. The most important is La Congona, which still retains part of its circular houses. One of them, a tall one, is very well preserved and decorated with stone rhombuses in the Chachapoyas style. After the Spanish conquest, the local inhabitants were relocated to the plains of San Miguel, where the Leymebamba community museum and the remains of the town’s first Spanish church are currently located.

The hike begins in San Miguel de Leymebamba through a canyon with native tree forests and birds such as the Andean toucan, the golden-headed quetzal, and the collared trogon. Once you reach Tambillo, the route follows the edge of the La Morada River toward the Tajopampa area, from where the first mausoleums can be seen. La Petaca has more than 100 funerary structures on its immense rock walls, one of which features cave paintings. Some research suggests it could be the tomb of a Chachapoyas chief accused of poisoning the Inca Huayna Capac. From here, you can continue toward the upper area to explore the remains of Bóveda, a series of circular cultivation terraces that are still little studied, and then see the Diablo Huasi mausoleums up close, on the other side of the river.

The highlight of the hikes is the route to Laguna de los Cóndores. To do this, you must spend the night in Leymebamba and begin the more than 40-kilometer trek from the museum to the lagoon the following day. This distance can be covered in a single day. This is a demanding hike, off the beaten track. The highest pass is at La Fila, at 3,800 meters above sea level. It is recommended to do some sections on horseback, provided by the community’s tourism association. Upon arrival, you can cross the more than 3-kilometer-long lagoon by boat or walk around it, then climb the slope to visit the mausoleums where the mummies that are now in the museum were found.