The hidden treasures of northern Peru

Trujillo

Day 1: Welcome to northern Peru!

Welcome to Peru! Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel where you'll be briefed on the next few days. Depending on your arrival time, you'll have the morning free to relax at your hotel.

Later in the afternoon, you’ll visit the Temple of the Moon - a huge, adobe mud pyramid made by the Moche Civilization, decorated with mural paintings representing their main deities and many aspects of their day-to-day life. The Moches (or Mochicas) are one of the most intriguing pre-Hispanic civilizations of Peru; it’s so interesting to see how different these northern societies were from the Incas.

Trujillo

Day 2: Explore Chan Chan, Huaca del Arco Iris & Huanchaco

Today you'll take a four-hour excursion to some of the most interesting sites surrounding Trujillo.

First, visit an adobe pyramid known as the Rainbow Temple or Huaca del Arco Iris, because of the mysterious and colorful, high-relief representations in its walls. Next, head to the world's largest mud-brick citadel, Chan Chan. This place was once home to 100,000 inhabitants of the Chimu civilization, who stubbornly resisted the expansion of the Inca Empire.

Finally, continue to Huanchaco, a traditional fishermen's beach town famous for its reed boats known locally as caballitos de totora, which have been used for fishing and surfing in the Pacific since pre-Hispanic times. You'll have free time for lunch in Huanchaco before returning to Trujillo.

The rest of the day is free for you to keep exploring Trujillo at your own pace.

Trujillo - Chiclayo

Day 3: Visit Huaca el Brujo en-route to Túcume

After breakfast, take a morning transfer to Túcume, 20 minutes from Chiclayo in the neighboring province of Lambayeque.

En-route you'll make a stop at Huaca el Brujo, the remains of an old stepped pyramid rising about 98ft above the surrounding desert, and covering an area of roughly 330x330ft. It was built with thousands of adobe bricks, its walls covered with polychrome reliefs that showcase war motifs, goods, animals and plants.

A few years ago, the well-preserved and tattooed mummy of a young woman, Señora de Cao, who belonged to Moche royalty, was discovered deep inside; nowadays, you'll find it exhibited at the Lady of Cao Museum. This site has also been historically frequented by the famous Northern Shamans (witch doctors) - if you're lucky, you may get to see some performing their ceremonies!

Around lunchtime, arrive at your hotel to check in and relax for the rest of the day.

Chiclayo - Cocachimba

Day 4: A scenic journey to Cocachimba

Today, you will be picked up to begin the journey to Cocachimba, a small village in a very unique setting which combines Andean and cloud forest landscapes, crowed by the famous Gocta Waterfall. On this scenic seven-hour journey, you’ll have the freedom to stop, stretch your legs and enjoy the constantly-changing landscapes all around you.

You'll be leaving your hotel quite early this morning, in order to reach Cocachimba for a late lunch at around 2-3pm, before relaxing in the afternoon.

Cocachimba - Gocta Waterfall - Cocachimba

Day 5: Climb to the magnificent Gocta Waterfall

After a delicious breakfast, start a hike to the famous Gocta Waterfall, one of the highest falls in the world!

To reach the falls, you'll need to follow a smooth path, which crosses through cultivated sugarcane fields and then the cloud forest, home to the magnificent Andean cock-of-the-rock bird.

If you're feeling brave enough, take a dip in the base pool of the waterfall - word of warning, it's cold! After enjoying some time at this beautiful site, you'll return to your comfortable lodge in Cocachimba, to relax and get some rest.

Cocachimba - Kuelap - Chachapoyas

Day 6: A cable car ride to Kuelap

You'll be picked up early from your lodge to transfer to the town of Tingo, where you'll board the cable car to Kuelap, the most accomplished citadel of the Chachapoyas. The site was inhabited for about 400 years, until the Incas took over in 1470 and subsequently the Spanish in 1534.

Upon arrival in Kuelap, you'll take a short walk to the entrance of the citadel, located above a mountain ridge at 9,850ft. The towering walls and hundreds of round houses capped by the cloud forest will amaze you! Explore this pre-Inca citadel, which features not only archaeological remains, but also stunning views of the valley and a wide variety of birds.

Afterwards, head back to Tingo and return by car to Chachapoyas. If time permits, you can visit the nearby Sonche Canyon, a peaceful place with impressive views of this remote part of the Andes.

Chachapoyas - Jaen

Day 7: Farewell!

This morning, you will be picked up early and taken to Jaen Airport (about four hours away) in time to board your flight to Lima, where you'll connect with your international flight home. Farewell and safe travels!