Northern Peru Authentic Adventure

Lima

Day 1: Welcome to Peru and Lima!

Upon arrival, we'll meet you at Lima Airport and continue to your hotel in Miraflores, where you are free to relax and wander around at your own pace.

After check-in, you'll receive your travel kit and have a short briefing to answer any last-minute questions. Depending on your time of arrival, we have plenty of suggestions for you to make the most of your first day in the city.

Huaraz

Day 2: Journey to the Cordillera Blanca

Early this morning, your adventure will start! After a pleasant overnight and breakfast, you’ll depart from Lima on board a private car towards Huaraz in the Ancash region.

This interesting region is home to some of the most imposing peaks in the country, the White Mountain Range or Cordillera Blanca, including the highest mountain of Peru, the Huascaran.

The drive to Huaraz will take about 8 hours but don't worry, there are several stops along the way to stretch the legs and, of course, enjoy the stunning landscapes.

Once at your hotel, you'll have the rest of the day free to relax and get used to the altitude.

Chavin

Day 3: Exploring Honcopampa and Chavin de Huantar

Surrounded by imposing peaks, Huaraz is an exciting city, close to important archeological sites, and stunning natural wonders.

In the morning, you’ll head to Honcopampa, a rarely-visited archeological site just 20 km from the base of the Cordillera Blanca. Explore the stone houses and chullpas from Recuay and Wari civilizations, dating back between 200 to 800 B.C.E.

Afterward, you'll continue to Chavin in the east of the Cordillera Blanca. Chavin was one of the firsts Andean civilizations, emerging around 1500 B.C.E., and lasted about a thousand years. In Chavin de Huantar, you'll wander around its dark labyrinths, and passages, until finding the striking Lanzon de Chavin. This 15-foot-high carved stele gets hit by the sun at the right spot in the middle of the darkness, leaving an unforgettable impression on anyone.

Laguna 69

Day 4: Hiking to the Turquoise Lagoon 69

Considered as one of the jewels of the Cordillera Blanca, Lake 69 is the perfect acclimatization walk for serious hikers. From your hotel in Huaraz you’ll drive for about 2 ½ hours towards Cebollapampa, the starting point of your hike.

On route, you’ll enjoy a short stop at Llanganuco Lakes. The hike to Lake 69 takes around 4 to 5 hours for about 12 km through striking mountain settings.

Once at the lake, you'll have time to enjoy the turquoise glacial waters and the stunning snow-capped mountains such as Huascaran North (6655m), Pisco (5750m) Chacraraju (6112m), Huandoy (6395m), and Yanapaccha (5347m).

Trujillo

Day 5: Trujillo and Huaca de la Luna

After a well-deserved rest and breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to Huaraz and continue to the northern coast of Peru. You'll be driving 300 km through the Andes and the coastal desert to Trujillo city.

After checking into your comfortable hotel in the city center, you’ll visit a nearby and very interesting pre-Inca site, Huaca de la Luna. It is a sacred mud pyramid made by the Moche Civilization (100 - 750 AC) and decorated with mural paintings representing their main deities.

Thanks to the murals and handcrafts you will enjoy a very vivid image of how these societies have lived and developed in a way that is entirely different from Eurasian nations. You can also visit the fascinating on-site museum, which shows pieces found in excavations during the last 23 years.

Chiclayo

Day 6: Explore the Chimu Civilization

This morning, you'll set off to Chiclayo in the Lambayeque region, traveling for approximately 220 km along the northern coast. En-route, you'll make a stop at Chan Chan, the biggest mud-brick citadel in the Americas.

This place was once home to 100,000 inhabitants of the Chimu civilization, who stubbornly resisted the expansion of the Inca Empire. Chan Chan was the capital of Chimu, a well-organized pre-Inca society, whose pottery and textiles are amongst the best in the country.

On arrival in Lambayeque, you’ll explore the Tumbas Reales Museum, which exhibits the remains of the funeral dowry. It allows the visitors to learn about the Lord of Sipan discovery, which will lead to a more in-depth knowledge of northern archeological discoveries.

Chiclayo - Chaparri

Day 7: The Spectacled Bear and Other Wildlife

Get ready to continue your journey to the Chaparri Ecological Reserve, located east of Chiclayo deep in the dry forests that spread through this region.

At Chaparri, the local community strives to protect the endemic fauna that lives in the dry forest ecosystem, such as foxes, peccaries, condors, hummingbirds, pumas, and the spectacled bear, the only bear species of South America.

Enjoy an afternoon walk around the property to get a closer look at this unique landscape.

Chaparri

Day 8: Visit the Spectacled Bear Rescue Centre

At Chaparri, you are flexible to enjoy the day as you wish. Do some hiking, spot as much wildlife as possible, or relax in your remote lodge in the dry forest.

Early morning is the best time to spot hummingbirds and other endemic bird species in a creek, just minutes away from the lodge.

The highlight of today will be the beautiful, but endangered Andean Spectacled Bear that mainly lives in dry forest ecosystems like Chaparri.

You'll be searching for these bears in the wild and also visit the local rescue center that fights the extensive damage the bears have experienced by men and works towards its protection.

There, you can observe a couple of bears still in captivity trained to finally return to their natural habitat. If you are lucky, you might spot some Peruvian camelids too!

Chiclayo

Day 9: The Road to Salas

You will wake up surrounded by a spectacular dry forest at the foothills of the Andes. After a fresh organic breakfast, you'll enjoy exploring the surroundings for the last time.

At the coordinated time, you’ll leave Chaparri and drive north towards Salas, a small town about 3 hours away. Manuel, your host, will welcome you at his cozy Los Faiques Lodge, surrounded by beautiful queñuales trees.

Chachapoyas

Day 10: Scenic Drive to the Cloud Forest

Today, it's time to leave the dry forest and embark on a journey towards the stunning and humid cloud forest.

Chachapoyas is today’s final destination, a seldom-explored area near natural and cultural wonders. Although this 450 km route might sound discouraging, the road trip offers breathtaking scenarios.

After crossing the Porcuya Pass, you’ll slowly descent into warm, arid valleys, which will gradually change into more forested areas. After passing the Utcubamba valley, you’ll finally arrive in Chachapoyas town at your hotel.

About 15 minutes away from Chachapoyas is the Sonche Canyon. Its dramatic scenery is as beautiful as it is unexpected. Spending the afternoon gazing at this landscape is perfectly relaxing and energizing at the same time.

Amazilia

Day 11: Hiking to the Revash Towers

After your first night at the Utcubamba valley, it's time to explore the northern cloud forest! You will start with a 2-hours journey to Revash and check-in to your hotel in Chachapoyas.

The village of Santo Tomas is the starting point for your 1.5-hour hike to the Towers of Revash. The place holds a succession of Chachapoyas tombs, located over inaccessible narrow cliffs. Each grave has the shape of a mini house that holds the mummified remains of the Chachapoyas' elite ancestors.

Your next destination, Amazilia Lodge, is a private home where Andrés, the owner, and host, will welcome you into his charming house. The location is fantastic because it allows you to enjoy three ecosystems, the dry, montane, and humid forests.

Kuelap

Day 12: In a Cable Car to the Kuelap Fortress

Enjoy a freshly brewed coffee this morning and get ready for one of the highlights of this trip, Kuelap. You'll drive along the valley towards the town of Tingo, from where you'll take the cable car up the mountain. The ride offers stunning views as it ascends to the mountain top, where Kuelap is located.

After a 20-minute walk, you’ll reach the main entrance to explore the fortress. 20-meter high walls surround Kuelap, and its commanding location overlooks the entire valley. This stronghold is the perfect combination of careful stonework and scenic natural beauty that makes this archeologic site so unique.

Finally, you will head back to the Amazilia Lodge, where you'll enjoy a free afternoon in the stunning surroundings.

Gocta

Day 13: Hiking to Gocta Waterfall

Wake up early in the morning, and take the chance for a last stroll around the property! After breakfast, you'll continue your journey towards Cocachimba town, from where you'll access the gorgeous Gocta waterfall.

After checking into your comfortable lodge, you'll start a 3-hour hike to the famous Gocta Waterfall, with around 771 meters (2520 ft) one of the tallest falls in the world. This hike is around 6 km long and will take you from cultivated fields to the cloud forest, home of the yellow-tailed woolly monkey, mountain sloth, and the magnificent cock-of-the-rock, Peru's national bird. Don't forget your swimsuit to refresh yourself in the cold waters of the waterfall!

In the afternoon, you can enjoy the facilities of the lodge, refresh at the pond overlooking Gocta, walk around in the gardens, or just relax at the tranquil property.

Chachapoyas

Day 14: Time to Say Goodbye

After seeing the best of northern Peru, your adventure has come to an end.

At the coordinated time, you'll head to Jaen Airport, about 4 hours away, to board your return flight to Lima and connecting flights to your next destination.