Overview & Highlights
For lovers of history and bygone cultures. Includes the Chimú civilisation’s adobe city Chan Chan, Kuelap, hilltop fortress of the Chachapoya people, and the tomb of the Lord of Sipán. Fascinating museums and exquisite mountain scenery.
For the lover of history and bygone cultures, little-visited northern Peru has as least as much to offer as the more celebrated south. This journey is devised for the amateur archaeology enthusiast and incorporates a comprehensive selection of excursions to museums and historical sites, often with spectacular locations in remote landscapes.
You hit the ground running with visits to Lima’s renowned museums and a full day excursion to Caral. Travel up the coast to colonial Trujillo and explore the vast Chimú desert adobe city of Chan Chan. Head inland to Andean Cajamarca in fertile dairy country. Continue on inland to the northern highlands, embellished with the ruins of elusive civilisations such as the Chachapoya, who constructed the massive hilltop fort at Kuelap. Continue by road to the port of Chiclayo and the tomb of the Lord of Sipán.
- Lima: Pachacámac ruins and Archaeological Museum
- Lima: Larco Museum
- Lima: Visit to Caral archaeological site
- Trujillo: City tour and University Archaeological Museum
- Trujillo: Full day visit to archaeological sites including Chan Chan
- Cajamarca: Excursion to Cumbe Mayo
- Leymebamba: visit to the museum and the tombs of Revash
- Chillo: Tour of Kuelap ruined walled city
- Chachapoyas: Trek to Gocta Falls
- Chiclayo: Sipán and Tumbas Reales Museum
- Chiclayo: Sican Museum, Túcume
Outline itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Lima. Transfer to hotel in the Pacific coast district of Miraflores.
Day 2
Visit the Larco Museum.
Day 3
Discover the pre-Columbian site at Caral.
Day 4
Fly to Trujillo; city tour, visit the Archaeology Museum.
Day 5
Visit Huacas del Sol and de la Luna and the Chimu city Chan Chan.
Day 6
Private road transfer to Cajamarca via El Brujo.
Day 7
Guided excursion to Cumbe Mayo.
Day 8
Road transfer to Leymebamba.
Day 9
Visit Leymebamba Museum, the tombs of Revash and continue to Chillo.
Day 10
Full day guided expedition to hilltop Kuelap.
Day 11
Land transfer to Chachapoyas via Karajia.
Day 12
Trek to Gocta Falls. Overnight at Cocachimba.
Day 13
Road transfer to Chiclayo.
Day 14
Visit Sipán, Tumbas Reales and Sican Museums, Túcume.
Day 15
Fly to Lima and connect with international flight home.
Things to do
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Accommodation
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