ANCIENT SITES OF NORTHERN PERU 

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11 DAYS

Discover the highlights of Northern Peru on a tailor made tour. South America Travel Centre will customise this itinerary to suit your travel needs. Below is a sample of what you could enjoy. Contact us to create your own personalised private tour.

ITINERARY SUMMARY

Day Place Highlights
Day 1 Lima Colonial Lima, Larco Herrera Private Gallery
Day 2-3 Trujillo Temples of the Sun and the Moon, Pre-Inca Temple- “Huanca El Dragón”, Huanchaco Bay, Chan Chan
Day 4-5 Chiclayo “El Brujo” archaeological complex, Señora de Cao” museum, ruins of San José de Moro
Day 6-7 Gocta Falls, Cocachima
“Abra de Porcuya” pass, Utcubamba canyon, trek to Gocta Falls
Day 8-9 Karajia, Kuelap Human sarcophagi, Leymebamba “Mummy” Museum, Kuelap fortress and citadel
Day 10-11 Chachapoyas, Lima Wander the city, visit Huancas Community, Sonche Canyon, transfer to Lima for departure
AncientSites_NthPeru

Day 1 Lima, Peru

Overview:

Start your journey by arriving in Lima, Peru’s dynamic capital city. From the cities UNESCO World Heritage listed historic centre, to the many museums, restaurants and bars Lima is a great place to begin your adventure in Peru. Upon arrival you will be privately transferred to your chosen hotel.

Day 2-3 Lima and Trujillo, Peru

Overview:

After your first night in Peru you will be taken on a city Colonial tour featuring some of Lima’s Republican highlights: Museum of Art, Miguel Grau monument, Palace of Justice, and Plaza San Martin. Then, tour through Lima’s Colonial churches, promenades and palaces which reflect Peru’s Spanish heritage: Plaza Mayor, Government, Archbishop, and Osambela palaces, St. Peter Church, the Monastery of San Francisco and visit The Cathedral and Santo Domingo Church. Continue to Pueblo Libre district for a visit to the privately owned Larco Museum which contains a fascinating collection of beautifully modelled pottery vessels, unique gold and silver work and erotic ceramics from pre-Inca civilizations. An impressive display of thousands of ceramic pieces from the Moche culture brings animals, plants, and anthropomorphic deities to life. In the afternoon be privately transferred to the airport for a flight to Trujillo, North West of Lima. Upon your arrival you will be privately transferred to your hotel for the evening.

 

In the morning drive to the historic Temples of the Sun and the Moon. See the 1,700-year-old “Huaca del Sol” (Temple of the Sun) which is directly opposite to the “Huaca de la Luna” (Temple of the Moon). The Temple of the Moon is sure to dazzle you with its decorated walls and impressive friezes. The entire archaeological site was once the religious capital of the Moche Culture. Continue your day with a visit to the pre-Inca temple, “Huaca El Dragón”. Afterwards, enjoy lunch in Huanchaco Bay. Here you will be able to see local fishermen continue to go out to sea in fragile straw skiffs, known as “Caballitos de Totora”. In the afternoon visit Chan Chan, the pre-Columbian adobe citadel of the Chimú culture, the largest of its kind, as well as a museum.

Featured Accommodation
Libertador Hotel
Liberator Trujillo

Libertador Hotel is a historic restored mansion located in the main square of the city’s historic centre, overlooking the cathedral. The hotel strives to maintain the highest level of comfort and luxury, while still preserving the colonial architecture, style and decoration. The property features 73 rooms, two conference rooms a restaurant, bar, gym, sauna, swimming pool and free parking for visitors.

Day 4-5 Chiclayo, Peru

Overview:

In the morning finish up your time in Trujillo and journey to Chiclayo via a private transfer. On the way, visit the “El Brujo” archaeological complex, famous for its richly-coloured murals on a Moche pyramid, and the “Señora de Cao” museum, which exhibits the famous tattooed mummy of the first female ruler of the Moche culture, the Lady of Cao. Discovered in 2005, it is considered to be one of the best relics of a civilization that ended over 1,300 years ago. The museum also hosts ceremonial items such as jewellery, weapons, ancient textiles and ceramics, as well as the remains of a sacrificed teenage girl. Afterwards, visit the ruins of San José de Moro. Arrive at your accommodation in the afternoon and enjoy you’re the rest of the day at your own leisure.

The following morning, visit Chiclayo’s main market, the so called “Witch Market”, where various potions, herbs and other implements used by the Shamans can be found. Afterwards visit the important Huaca Rajada archaeological site. Tour the lavish 1,700-year-old Moche tomb of the Lord of Sipán, acknowledged as the “most important discovery of the 20th century” because of the vast quantity and high value of the gold and silver treasures uncovered within. In the afternoon, visit the “Museo Tumbas Reales”, where the gold of the Sipan treasure can be seen, and Tucume, a vast Lambayeque archaeological complex, known as the “Valley of the Pyramids” dating from 1,000-1,532 A.D.

Featured Accommodation
Casa Andina Select Hotel

Casa Andina Select Hotel in Chiclayo offers guests a central, excellent location. Just a stone’s throw from downtown the modern and functional hotel services 130 rooms over 7 floors. It features a gym, wi-fi connection, hair salon, restaurant and a spa.

Day 6-7 Gocta Falls, Cocachima, Peru

Overview:

Depart in the morning with a private transfer from Chiclayo to the town of Cocachimba taking approximately 9 hours. The beautiful journey crosses through the western Andean range at the pass “Abra de Porcuya” and then descends through one of the planet’s driest deserts, after crossing the impressive Marañon River, a major Amazon tributary. The road then ventures into the rice and coffee producing valley of Bagua. The trip continues via the Utcubamba canyon and valley to get into the mountain forest characteristic of the Chachapoyas territory. A side valley leads to the village of Cocachimba (1,721m). Settle in for the night at your lodge and enjoy a delicious dinner.

 

The following morning begin the day with a 2 ½ hour (6 km) trek to the waterfall of Gocta. This waterfall (771m. high) is considered the third highest in the world. The trek goes along the side of a valley through sugar cane fields and into forest that is home to the yellow-tailed woolly monkey, mountain sloth, orchid bromeliads and the magnificent cock-of-the-rock. With glimpses of the waterfall along the way, you will arrive at the base of the highest fall. If you’re brave enough you may want to take a dip at the base.

Featured Accommodation
Gocta Andes Lodge
Gocta Andes Lodge

Gocta Andes Lodge is designed to coexist in nature with the beautiful surroundings of the Gocta Falls. The gardens, pool and surrounding terraces along with all rooms which have a balcony or terrace are orientated towards the falls. High quality local ingredients are selected to make delicious Andean region traditional meals. The eight rooms and two suites are all spacious and comfortable, surrounded by the tranquillity of Cocachima.

Day 8-9 Karajia and Kuelap, Peru

Overview:

Say goodbye to the tranquillity of Gocta Falls and drive to Caserío Cruz Pata, a tiny hamlet. Then, walk downhill for 30 minutes to Kuarajia where various stylized human sarcophagi can be seen. Made out of mud and perched on a cliff ledge 40m above the ground, the sarcophagi have been looking out at the privileged view across the valley for 750 years. After lunch, continue to Leymebamba, along the Utcubamba valley, and visit the Leymebamba Museum, which houses more than 219 mummies, found at “Laguna de los Cóndores” (condors lagoon). Archaeological pieces of the Chachapoyas culture: textiles, pottery, quipus and woodcarvings, will also be seen.

 

The following morning you will depart to Tingo. An approximate 1 hour and 20 minute drive will bring you to a cable car that will take you from 2,000 to 3,000 meters altitude (4 km) as you travel to the base of Kuelap in 20 minutes. The impressive fortress and citadel of Kuelap features prominent towering walls, temples and hundreds of roundhouses capped by the cloud forest (3,030 m) always amaze its visitors.

Featured Accommodation
Rangra Wasi

Rangra Wasi has four delightful bungalows, all featuring a large bedroom, bathroom and terrace overlooking the valley. The property features the social areas of a kitchen, dining room, terrace and a fireplace. Rangra Wasi is located I San Miguel, 2400m above sea level enabling, immersed in the tropical cloud forest. Rich in wildlife and flora and fauna it is the perfect place to relax and unwind.

Day 10-11 Chachapoyas to Lima, Peru

Overview:

Finish your trip with a morning departure to Chachapoyas. At an elevation of 2,335m the town is in a valley surrounded by cloud forest. After settling into your final accommodation for the evening spend the afternoon having a glimpse of the city, the Huancas community- famous for their old fashioned clay pots and a visit to the Sonche Canyon. Enjoy your final night before your private transfer in the morning to the airport for your departing flight to Lima. We can tailor-make your itinerary to extend your holiday anywhere throughout Latin America to suit your needs.

Featured Accommodation
La Casona Monsante
la casona monsante

La Casona Monsante is located in the Historic Centre of Chachapoyas, 200m from the Plaza De Armas, the commercial zone of the city. The hotel offers a tranquil oasis to relax in after a busy day of sightseeing and exploring. With wi-fi in all of the rooms and 24 hours reception, La Casona Monsante is a great place to base your exploration of Chachapoyas from.

We will tailor the perfect holiday to suit your needs.