Peru’s north offers unique treasures – whether of cultural or natural origin. Here travelers often find better weather than in the south, beautiful postcard beaches with wonderfully clear water, hidden mountain villages in the Andes and many significant remains of the mighty Incas. In northern Peru you have the chance to visit historical sites a bit away from the tourist crowds and they can always keep up with Machu Picchu. According to Countryaah, Peru is a country located in South America.
This is an example of one of our tours and should serve as a source of inspiration. Of course, the itinerary including the destinations can be adjusted and we would be happy to work out a tour tailored to your interests and budget.
Best travel time: May to October
Travel time: 14 days
Travel planning: Extend the trip with a beach break on the northern coast.
Tip: There are many good local cheeses in northern Peru – be sure to try them.
Day 1: International flight & arrival in Lima
In the afternoon arrival at Lima airport. You will be picked up and taken to your hotel.
Day 2: Lima – Trujillo
Today your journey to northern Peru starts. After breakfast transfer to the airport and domestic flight to Trujillo. Many impressive temples from earlier civilizations await you here. First visit to the historical center of the city. Afterwards you visit the sun and moon temples as well as the museum Huacas de Moche, which offers you an insight into the life of the Moche civilization. Continue to the Dragon Temple (also called Arcoíris Temple) and the clay town of Chan Chan. This used to be the largest clay town in the world. Lunch will be served on Huanchaco Beach.
Day 3: Trujillo – Chiclayo
In the morning you travel to Chiclayo. On the way you will visit the archaeological complex “El Brujo”. This is very different from the temples you saw yesterday. The Cao Museum is also on the program. Here lies the intact, mummified body of the first Moche ruler “Señora de Cao”. You can enjoy lunch on the beach again. When you arrive in Chiclayo, you will be taken to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 4 – 5: Chiclayo
You will spend the next two days exploring archaeological sites, museums and pyramids. You will immerse yourself in the culture and also enjoy lunch that is typical of the country. Also on the plan are the “Tumbas Reales” museum and the pyramids of Tucume. A highlight on every cultural trip through Peru.
Day 6: Chiclayo – Cocachimba
After breakfast you will travel to Cocachimba. The journey takes around 10 hours and therefore takes up most of the day. After arriving at the hotel, you have free time. Cocachimba is the starting point for visits to the impressive Gocta waterfalls.
Day 7: Cocachimba – Gocta – Chachapoyas
In the morning you will visit the Gocta waterfalls – the third highest waterfalls in the world. Learn more about the area during a tour. Then transfer to Chachapoyas. The small mountain town is located in the middle of the Andes, surrounded by majestic peaks, deep valleys and deep green cloud forests.
Day 8: Chachapoyas – Karajía & Quiocta – Chachapoyas
Today you will visit the Karajía sarcophagi. The Chachapoya had elaborate burial rituals. In Karajía you can see six huge and elaborately decorated sarcophagi (up to two meters high), which are lined on a narrow rock edge high above a river gorge. They contain the mummies of high-ranking figures of the Chachapoya culture.
Then you visit the Quiocta Caves. A system of spacious caves filled with interesting rock formations, stalactites and stalagmites. The caves were once ceremonial burial sites so you can see ancient skulls and bones on the cave floor or in small niches in the walls.
Day 9: Chachapoyas – Kuélap – Chachapoyas
In the morning, visit the incredible archaeological complex of Kuélap – the northern equivalent of Machu Picchu. Kuélap is located on a mountain plateau at an altitude of 3,000 meters with a breathtaking view of the surrounding Andean world. Another highlight on your tour of Peru. On the way back to the hotel, visit the city of Chachapoyas and the breathtaking viewpoint of the Huancas Gorge.
Day 10: Chachapoyas – Revash – Leymebamba
After breakfast you travel to Leymebamba. On the way visit the mausoleums of Revash. Once in Leymebamba, visit the Mallqui Museum, which houses more than 200 mummies that were found on the cliffs of the condor lagoon.
Day 11: Leymebamba – Cajamarca
Today you travel to Cajamarca. Cajamarca is known throughout history as the city of salvation. Here the Spaniards captured the last Inca, Atahualpa, who offered a room full of gold and two rooms full of silver for his liberation. The promise was fulfilled, and yet the Spaniards executed him and thus officially initiated the conquest of the Inca Empire. Today the city is best known for its mines and dairy products.
Day 12: Cajamarca
Today you will spend a city tour in Cajamarca. You will also visit the “Ventanillas de Otuzco” – another burial site – and the aqueduct of Cumbemayo. It is one of the oldest hydraulic systems in all of South America. Immerse yourself one more time in the historical culture of Peru.
Day 13: Cajamarca – Lima
After breakfast you will be driven to the airport to take a domestic flight to Lima. Back in Lima, visit the Larco Museum, which introduces you to the history and culture of Peru.
Day 14: Lima / journey home
Even the most beautiful vacation comes to an end. Today it is time to say goodbye to Peru. Transfer to the airport and return home.
