Travel to the Northern Kingdom of Peru and learn about the most important cultures of this area: the Moches, Chimus and Chachapoyas. You will also learn about the Incas and visit Chiclayo, Chachapoyas, Trujillo and Cajamarca, site of the first contact between the Spanish conquistadors and the Inca civilization. This program is specially designed for people with a special interest in archaeology, or for those with a taste for adventure. The area is still new to tourism, but we have taken every care to provide as comfortable a stay as possible, with air-conditioned vehicles and expert guides. It is an unique trip you are sure to remember!!


Day 1 –Lima to Chiclayo
Arrival in Chiclayo "The Capital of Friendship" and transfer to Gran Hotel Chiclayo. This afternoon we wil visit Sipan, where the tomb of the Lord of Sipan was discovered. The Lord ruled around 200 AD over the Moche culture, and his gold-laden tomb is considered to be the richest in the Americas. We will travel to the town of Lambayeque to visit the Royal Tombs at Sipan Museum where many of these riches are displayed. After lunch we'll visit the 26 pre-Columbian pyramids of Tucume. These pyramids were excavated by Thor Heyerdahl (of Kon-tiki fame), who discovered burial sites, textiles, Incan figurines and depictions of reed boats. This, together with goods from far-flung corners of the South America, allowed Heyerdahl to prove that the ancient people of Tucume were experienced voyagers and traders. Overnight at Gran Hotel Chiclayo.

Day 2- Chiclayo/Chachapoyas
In the morning, depart from Chiclayo in an air-conditioned car. The all-day drive takes you through an incredible range of zones and climates. You begin in the deserts around Chiclayo, and climb over a low Andean mountain range. The road then cuts through lush, green rice paddies and across the Marañon River. Here, the land becomes hot and dry, studded with cactus as you begin to follow the Utcubamba River and watch the dry grasslands give way to lush, misty cloud forests. You arrive at the hamlet of Chillo, near Chachapoyas, in the late afternoon and spend the night at Hostal El Chillo. L,D

Day 3 - Chachapoyas
After breakfast we will visit Kuelap, a spectacular pre-Inca walled city hidden atop a  precipitous mountain. Although Kuelap was discovered 60 years before Machu Picchu, it is not as well known to the outside world. Nevertheless recent amazing discoveries in nearby areas that relate to Kuelap, and to its history, have captured the attention of archaeologists, international magazines and film companies. We’ll stop for a boxed lunch. Following your visit to Kuelap, we will return to Chillo for the night. Dinner and overnight at Hostal El Chillo. B,L,D                                                                  

Day 4 - Chachapoyas
After breakfast you will enjoy an excursion by horse to visit the colorful funeral buildings of Revash perched on a ledge up high on a cliff. They overlook a valley and tributary of the Utcubamba, near the town of Santo Tomas. The cliff walls at Revash are decorated with geometric designs and figures of camelids. Some of the tombs are decorated with T and cross-shaped niches. We’ll have a box lunch then continue to town of Leymebamba to visit an amazing collection of well preserved pre-Inca mummies discovered in the Laguna de los Condores. Overnight at Hostal El Chillo. B,L,D

Day 05 - Leymebamba/Cajamarca
Early in the morning you will drive to Cajamarca, crossing two cordilleras and several different habitats, such as cloud forest, agricultural land, desert-like areas and the Marañon Canyon. Box lunch on way. Overnight at La Laguna Seca Hotel. B,L,D

Comments: The journey from Leymebamba to Cajamarca, by way of the Maranon Canyon, is one of Peru's most spectacular drives. The Marañon River, which means "Cashew", is one of the principal tributaries of the Amazon. It also forms one of the  world's deepest canyons.  You will descend through different ecosystems from over 10,000 feet in altitude to the town of Balsas at 4,000 feet. After crossing the river you then ascend back through the various habitats to nearly 10,000 feet above sea level.
 
Day 06 - Cajamarca
In the morning we’ll go on an easy trek through the Cajamarca countryside to see local people in their daily activities including children going to school. Next, we’ll visit the Ventanillas de Otuzco, a pre-Inca cemetery that features a gallery of secondary burial niches (located 5 miles from the city). After lunch, we’ll explore the main points of the city: Main Square, the Cathedral and the 17th Century San Francisco church, which houses the Museum of Religious Art. We’ll continue on to the ransom room; which Atahualpa, the last Inca emperor, once filled with gold and twice with silver in order to obtain his freedom in 1532. We will also visit the Belen complex which includes the Belen church constructed entirely of sculptured volcanic rock. Next, it’s on to Santa Apolonia Hill, for a scenic view of the valley of Cajamarca. Here we can see the ceremonial Inca seat. Finally, we will have a delicious cup of coffee at local cafeteria. We’ll return to hotel to enjoy its swimming pools with thermal waters or you can select a massage at the Spa. (This service is not included in the price). Overnight at Hotel Laguna Seca. B,L,D

Day 07 - Cajamarca/ Trujillo
 We will depart Cajamarca in the morning via private car/bus for the overland journey through the mountains and down to Trujillo. We’ll arrive in the early afternoon and visit the colonial city of Trujillo. Farewell dinner and overnight at Libertador Hotel.

Day 08 - Trujillo/Lima
After breakfast visit the beautiful Moche Sun and Moon temples (pictured on left), and then continue to the beach for a relaxing lunch in the town of Huanchaco. After lunch you will visit Chan Chan, the sprawling ruined city of the Chimu culture. At the end of the afternoon you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Lima.