Routes of the Ancient North - 8 Days, 7 Nights

Upon your arrival at the Trujillo airport, a shuttle and a representative will pick you up and take you to your selected hotel.

A shuttle will pick you up to take you on a tour of the city’s main tourist attractions. As an important center during the colonial era, Trujillo boasts an enviable architectural heritage, featuring beautiful buildings and mansions from that period. First, you’ll take a panoramic tour of the churches of Santa Clara and El Carmen, both of which have their own cloistered convents that have been preserved over the years. Then you’ll stroll through the Plaza de Armas, passing by the Church of San Francisco along the way. From the plaza, you’ll see the Cathedral, built between 1647 and 1666—one of the city’s most important churches, housing works of art from the Cusco and Quito schools. Continue your route to the Casa de la Emancipación, the site where Peru’s first declaration of independence was made on December 29, 1820, and which is now a museum.

Next, you’ll visit Casa Calonge, also known as Casona Urqueaga, the residence where Simón Bolívar stayed during his time in Peru and which today houses a collection of archaeological and colonial artifacts, including the desk used by Bolívar. Finally, you’ll head to the Museum of Archaeology and History at the National University of Trujillo. The museum features more than 10,000 artifacts, organized into six permanent galleries that trace the development of pre-Hispanic cultures along Peru’s northern coast, as well as other archaeological discoveries showcased in its four rotating temporary galleries. After this journey into the past, return to your hotel.

One night’s accommodation in Trujillo at a selected hotel.

Today you’ll explore Trujillo’s most important tourist attractions. A shuttle will pick you up and take you to the outskirts of the city, where the Huacas del Sol and de la Luna—two magnificent structures of the Mochica culture—are located. Before immersing yourself in ancient Peru, you’ll meet a Moche artisan family whose work preserves the traditions passed down from their ancestors. According to research, the Huaca del Sol served a political purpose, while the Huaca de la Luna served a religious one; between them, a network of streets, passageways, and dwellings indicates that the area was inhabited by people of the middle and upper classes. After a panoramic tour of the Huaca del Sol, you’ll explore the Huaca de la Luna, which is particularly impressive due to its excellent state of preservation and the extensive research conducted there. Its incredible murals, which remain to this day, depict various Moche deities and other scenes with religious significance. Continue your visit to Huanchaco, one of Trujillo’s most traditional beach resorts and famous for its “caballitos de totora”—boats made of plant fibers used by artisanal fishermen to navigate the waves of the Pacific. There, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch featuring local flavors.

Finally, you’ll arrive at Chan Chan, the impressive adobe city designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Considered the capital of the Chimu culture, it consists of nine citadels covering an area of more than 20 square kilometers, making it the largest in the Americas. The intricate details on its walls reflect the tremendous craftsmanship that went into its construction, which has endured for more than a thousand years to the present day.

One night’s lodging in Trujillo at a selected hotel; breakfast and lunch included.

The tour will depart from Trujillo and head to the El Brujo Archaeological Complex, which is of great importance for understanding the Moche culture. Located in the Chicama River Valley, 60 kilometers from Trujillo, it is home to one of the most impressive discoveries of recent years: the mummy of the Lady of Cao, a Mochica ruler who transformed perceptions of women in ancient Peru.

The complex consists of three pyramids: Huaca Prieta, Huaca Cao Viejo, and Huaca Cortada. Huaca Cao Viejo is the main site, featuring decorative friezes, a central courtyard, and a ceremonial plaza. It was here that the Lady of Cao’s burial bundle was found in a tomb that reflected her importance. Her body was found almost intact thanks to the techniques used in her mummification and was adorned with tattoos and jewelry, such as necklaces, earrings, and filigree nose rings, crafted from gold, silver, copper, semiprecious stones, and shells.

After the visit, you will continue your journey by road to your hotel in the city of Chiclayo.

One night’s accommodation in Chiclayo at a selected hotel.

You’ll start the day with a transfer to Huaca Rajada–Sipán, where you’ll visit the archaeological complex where the legendary Lord of Sipán was discovered—one of the most important tombs in the Americas. Next, you’ll continue on to Túcume to explore this extensive complex of pre-Inca pyramids that reveal the splendor of the Lambayeque culture. The tour will continue with lunch at a local restaurant in the city of Lambayeque. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Royal Tombs Museum, home to the jewelry and artifacts found in the Lord of Sipán’s tomb. Finally, you’ll return to your hotel in the city of Chiclayo.

You’ll be transferred from your hotel in Chiclayo to the bus station with a representative.

You’ll take the bus from Chiclayo to Chachapoyas on a journey lasting approximately 10 hours. Chachapoyas is a city in northern Peru, located at an elevation of 2,335 meters. Known for its colonial architecture and cobblestone streets, highlights include the Plaza de Armas and the Church of San Juan Bautista. It serves as a starting point for exploring nearby wonders such as the Kuélap Fortress and the Gocta Waterfalls. The local culture is rich, with vibrant traditions and festivals, as well as a cuisine that includes typical dishes such as “juane.”

One night’s accommodation in Chachapoyas at a selected hotel; breakfast and lunch included.

You will be transferred from the Chachapoyas bus station to a hotel in the city center with a representative.

One night's lodging in Chachapoyas at a selected hotel, with breakfast included.

You will be transported from Chachapoyas to Kuélap to visit the imposing fortress, one of Peru’s most significant stone monuments, which stands at 3,000 meters above sea level on Cerro Barreta. The fortress features 505 enclosures spread across various levels. Its majestic walls and internal architecture attest to its function as a major settlement. The ascent and descent are made via the modern cable car installed in the area, which takes you to the fortress in just 20 minutes.

One night’s lodging in Chachapoyas at a selected hotel, with breakfast included.

Start your day with a transfer from your hotel in Chachapoyas to the trailhead leading to Gocta Falls. You’ll enjoy a hike of approximately 2 to 3 hours through diverse landscapes, including cloud forests and farmland. Upon arrival, admire the impressive waterfalls, which are about 771 meters high. You’ll have time to explore and take photos. Finally, you’ll return to the starting point and be transferred back to your hotel in Chachapoyas.

One night’s accommodation in Chachapoyas at a selected hotel, with breakfast included.

A shuttle with a representative will take you from your selected hotel to the Chachapoyas airport.

Domestic flight from Chachapoyas to Lima.

Breakfast included.