Peru off the Beaten Track

16 Day Example Itinerary

Lima Cordillera Blanca Trujillo ChiclayoChachapoyas

A fascinating itinerary that explores the very best pre-Incan treasures, lost kingdoms and wonderful scenery of Peru’s hidden corners. The journey steers you well away from the traditional tourist circuits, into the towering peaks of the Cordillera Blanca mountains before dropping you down to the ancient temples and pyramids of Peru’s dusty north-west coast. The itinerary culminates with the cloud-forest kingdom of Chachapoyas, home to the mighty fortress of Kuelap.

Itinerary Highlights

  • Walk amidst ancient Moche pyramids
  • Explore the vast ruined Chimu city of Chan Chan
  • Visit the “Lords of Sipan” at Chiclayo
  • Walk to the base of Gocta Falls, Peru’s highest waterfall
  • Take a cable-car to Kuelap, the Machu Picchu of the north

What’s included

  • Private tours for most included activities
  • Meet & greet airport service
  • Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
  • Expert guides in each destination

flexibility

This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.

15

Nights

Price Guide

from $ pp

Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more

Day 1

Arrive Lima

plan line
Day 2

Lima – the crossroads of civilisations

Arrive Lima and enjoy a day to explore the highlights of Peru’s vibrant capital. Brave the traffic and delve into colonial Lima with visits to the cathedral, the historic Casa Aliaga mansion and the San Francisco Convent or dig further back into Peru’s history and visit the fascinating pre-Inca site of Huaca Pucllana and the wonderful Larco Herrera Museum.

Day 3-5

The Mountains of the Cordillera Blanca

Fly to Huaraz high in the mountains of Peru’s Cordillera Blanca where you will be met and driven to your hotel surrounded on all sides by soaring snow-capped peaks. The Cordillera Blanca is Peru’s trekking capital with breathtaking summits, glaciers and turquoise lagoons. Enjoy guided walks in the Huascaran National Park, home to the magnificent Alpamayo or for those interested in Peru’s pre-history, visit the enigmatic pyramid and complex of Chavín de Huántar which dates back to 1200BC.

Day 6-7

Trujillo – Ancient Moche & Chimu Cultures

Transfer from the heights of the Andes to the barren northern coast, a stunning journey through a myriad of landscapes and sub-tropical micro-climates including the extraordinary site of Sechin to reach Trujillo. Trujillo is a charming colonial city and once a centre of the Moche culture that flourished some 1700 years ago. Explore the town, visit the intriguing Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna pyramids or head out to the vast ruined Chimu city of Chan Chan.

Day 8-9

Chilclayo & the Lords of Sipan

Continue north to the heart of the Moche empire – Chiclayo, home to some of Peru’s most important archaeological finds. Chiclayo may not have the setting of the Inca capital Cusco but with the discovery of the “Lords of Sipan” tomb in 1987 has captured the world’s imagination. Tour the sites of Túcume, Batán Grande and Huaca Rajada and immerse yourself in the excellent Sican, Tumbas Reales and Bruning regional musuems.

Day 10-12

Chachapoyas – the “Warriors of the Clouds”

Leaving the Moche world behind, you will head east back into the mountains to the cloud-forest kingdom of Chachapoyas, the “Warriors of the Clouds”. Chachapoyas offers an incredible blend of history, culture and landscapes, and is home to the “Machu Picchu of the North” – Kuelap. Hike up to the Gocta Falls, one of the highest in the world, admire the traditional pottery techniques at Huancas or marvel at the striking sarcophagi at Karajia.

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Day 13-14

Kuelap & Leymebamba

Continue to Leymebamba via the formidable stone fortress of Kuelap, a site said to contain some three times more stone than Egypt’s great pyramid at Giza. Kuelap dominates the surrounding landscape with over 400 interior buildings and 60 foot high rampart walls. From here, your journey continues to the colourful cliff-side tombs of Revash and the eye-opening museum of Leymebamba which exhibits over 200 mummies and funerary offerings retrieved from the Laguna de los Condores lake in 1997.

Day 15

Cajamarca – Pizarro’s Triumph

Leaving the highlands, you descend the spectacular mountain road through the Marañon Canyon Pass, to reach Cajamarca. Time-allowing, you may like to visit the iconic “Ransom Room”, filled to the brim with silver and gold to secure the (failed) release of Inca Emperor Atahualpa from the Spanish conquistadors.

dot joiner for itins
Day 16

Transfer to Cajamarca Airport for onward connections

A note on price

The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.

Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).

Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.

Price Guide from $ per person

When to travel

jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec

The best time to visit Peru is during the dry season from April to November when there are bright sunny days and an average temperature of around 20° though dropping to just above zero at night due to the altitude. The Amazon is hot and sticky all year round though marginally more oppressive and wet between the months December and March.

Add on’s

It is near impossible to visit Peru without taking in the breathtaking site of Machu Picchu and the fascinating Inca highlands around Cusco. Although these sites are undoubtedly “on the beaten track”, there are a number of hidden gems such as Huchuy Qosqo and Llactapata along with many others if you are prepared to spend a couple of days walking.

Alternatively, to continue exploring the lost pre-Colombian civilisations of South America, fly north to Bogota and head into the Andes to visit the remarkable sites of San Agustin and Tierradentro. Or, for something very special, take on Colombia’s Lost City hike that takes you high into the Sierra Nevada mountains above Santa Marta.

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