Discover Northern Peru

Stroll through Trujillo’s charming centre and sprawling Plaza de Armas and admire colourful facades and colonial-era churches, and be sure to visit the incredible archaeological site of Chan Chan to marvel at its pre-Columbian architecture. The city is also known for being the birthplace of Peru’s traditional dance, and visitors can soak up the local culture at the city’s annual marinera festival. Nearby, the picturesque town of Huanchaco offers surfing beaches and excellent seafood.

A thriving coastal city in northwestern Peru, Chiclayo has something for every type of traveller. Step back in time at the nearby archaeological sites of Huaca Rajada and Chotuna-Chornancap, and be sure to spend time exploring the city itself where you can admire its colourful Cathedral, bustling plazas and the statues of its lovely Las Musas park. Also known as the City of Friendship, Chiclayo is a laid-back and welcoming destination that also offers an excellent culinary scene and vibrant nightlife.

The transfer from Chiclayo to Chachapoyas takes 9 hours. The bus leaves at 8:00 AM.

After the long transfer check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure.

Wake up to breakfast at the hotel then get ready to discover one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the country. Kuélap, the largest and most important site built by the Chachapoyas, dates from 500 AD and is located on the top of a mountain at 3,000 metres above sea level. The main structure is an awe-inspiring, walled stronghold containing more than 500 interior enclosures distributed over different levels, all contained within a perimeter wall that reaches heights of 20 metres. Many of the round buildings would have been covered with steep, conical thatched roofs and they were used as dwellings by the estimated 3,000 inhabitants of this citadel. In the past, Kuélap was only accessible by a 4-hour hike, but now there is a cable car that transports you to the top of the mountain in just 20 minutes (subject to availability).

Note: If your visit falls on a Monday, when Kuelap is closed, there are still several worthwhile alternatives. We can offer the Karajía Sarcophagi and Quiocta Caverns guided excursion as an alternative. This full-day experience includes visits to the dramatic cliffside sarcophagi of Karajía and the impressive limestone formations inside the Quiocta Caverns, providing a culturally rich and memorable substitute.

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel then prepare for a day discovering the stunning mountain scenery of Chachapoyas, with its deep canyons, cloud forest and, one of its greatest charms, the impressive Gocta Waterfall. After breakfast, a private vehicle will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to the town of Cocachimba, the starting point of your walk to Gocta Falls. This waterfall has become increasingly popular over the years, not just because it is one of the highest in the world (770 metres), but also because of its outstanding beauty. Walk through mountain forests and their diverse vegetation including orchids and giant ferns and spot different species of animals such as monkeys and toucans. The lush green landscape is a key feature of this region and it is also home to many different species of birds, including some endemic species. When you reach Gocta, take a break and contemplate the impressive waterfall, then walk back to Cocachimba and transfer to Chachapoyas. 

Tuck into one last breakfast at your hotel before you head out again by road to your next destination.

Tucked away in the cloud forests of the Andes, Chachapoyas is a gateway to some of Peru’s most fascinating archaeological and natural wonders. Despite its remote location, the town exudes laid-back vibes, with colonial-era buildings, cobbled streets, and a welcoming atmosphere. Plaza de Armas, the heart of the town, is lined with whitewashed houses adorned with wooden balconies, an echo of its Spanish colonial past. For those seeking adventure, Chachapoyas is an ideal base to explore the lost world of the Chachapoya civilisation.

After your long drive today, on arrival in Cajamarca, transfer directly to your hotel and check-in.

Breakfast at the hotel and a free morning. At around 2:00 pm, you will start your tour at Santa Apolonia Hill, from whose summit you can enjoy a beautiful view of the entire city. As you walk around the site, you will see remains of Chavín culture buildings and the famous Inca Chair, a structure formed by two stone blocks emerging from the hill. You will then visit the Belén Monumental Complex, including the former Hospital of Men and the former Hospital of Women. The tour continues with a visit to the Rescue Room, the only remaining Inca structure in Cajamarca. It was here that the Inca Atahualpa was held captive by Spanish forces for eight months. Although his ransom, gold equal to the volume of the room and twice that amount in silver, was paid in full, the conquerors ultimately proceeded with his execution in the Main Square. You will also visit the exterior of the Church of San Francisco and the Main Square, an area of great historical importance as the meeting point between the Spanish conquerors and the Incas. Here you can see the Cathedral, with its distinctive Plateresque-style volcanic stone façade. After the walk, you will return to the hotel to rest. In the late afternoon, transportation will pick you up to take you to the Inca’s Baths, a complex of hot springs where the Inca once rested. It is believed that at the height of the empire, this site was a stately residence surrounded by trees and springs – a luxury spa for the elite. After the tour, return to your hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel followed by pick-up at around 08:30 am. Today you will visit the Cumbemayo complex, which brings together three archaeological groups known as 'the aqueduct', 'the sanctuary' and 'the caves', surrounded by a majestic stone forest. 'The aqueduct' is an open channel in the nine-kilometre volcanic rock and was intended to derive the waters to the city of Cajamarca. For its part, 'the sanctuary' is a cliff with the appearance of a human head, whose mouth is a crack in low relief with engravings. When walking through 'the caves' of the place, you can see some drawn lines and other anthropomorphic and feline figures. At the end of the tour, you will return to your hotel. In the afternoon, transportation will pick you up at around 02:00 pm to go to the Otuzco Windows, a cemetery belonging to the Cajamarca culture that dates from the first centuries after Christ. There you can see a series of rectangular niches carved in a solid block of rock that can reach up to 10 meters deep. It’s believed that the bodies were buried first in the ground and, after a while, some bones and skulls were moved to the windows.

Return to the hotel in the afternoon.

Situated in a valley surrounded by rolling Andean hills, Cajamarca is known for its pivotal role in history as the site of the capture of the last Inca emperor, Atahualpa, by Spanish conquistadors in 1532. The city’s heart is the Plaza de Armas, a lively square surrounded by ornate churches and colonial mansions with signature wooden balconies. Among its most significant landmarks is the Ransom Room, the very site where Atahualpa was imprisoned and offered a vast amount of gold and silver in exchange for his freedom—an event that forever changed Peru’s history.

Peru’s capital and largest city, Lima, is a bustling metropolis that blends its colonial heritage with a modern and vibrant atmosphere. Visitors can explore the city’s world-class museums, marvel at the stunning architecture and charming plazas of its historic centre, discover the pre-Incan ruins of Huaca Pucllana and sample Peru’s varied cuisine in one of its world-class restaurants before enjoying its lively nightlife scene. Lima cannot be missed on any visit to Peru, and makes the perfect starting point for itineraries of the country.