Kingdoms and Mysteries of the North

Travel Peru’s northern kingdoms. From Chan Chan to Kuelap and Cajamarca, exploring ancient civilizations and stunning landscapes.

what will you experience on this journey?

A journey through time across northern Peru’s ancient kingdoms. Explore Moche temples, the adobe city of Chan Chan, the Lady of Cao’s tomb, the fortress of Kuelap, and the colonial charm of Cajamarca. A perfect fusion of archaeology, history, and breathtaking landscapes.

Duration
12 days / 11 nights

Best for
Cultural travelers, archaeology lovers, and explorers of ancient civilizations

Destinations
Lima – Trujillo – Chiclayo – Chachapoyas – Gocta Waterfall – Kuelap Fortress – Cajamarca – Lima

Activity Level
Light to Moderate

Itinerary

Day 01 / … / Lima

Welcome to Peru!
Arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima. Assistance from one of our representatives and transfer to the hotel. Arrival and check-in (3:00 PM).
Overnight in Lima. (–)

Day 02 / Lima – Trujillo

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Trujillo. Upon arrival, assistance and transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon, enjoy a walking city tour through the historic center, discovering its colonial and republican architecture, from Plaza Mayor and Casa de la Identidad to Casa Urquiaga, where Simón Bolívar stayed.
Stroll along Jirón Pizarro to see the Casa de la Emancipación and Iturregui Palace before visiting the Archaeology Museum of Trujillo, which showcases artifacts from ancient Peruvian cultures.
Overnight in Trujillo. (B)

Day 03 / Trujillo

Breakfast at the hotel.
Full-day excursion to the Moche Valley, visiting the Huacas del Sol y de la Luna — two monumental adobe pyramids that once formed part of the Moche capital. Continue to Chan Chan, the largest adobe city in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, exploring the Tschudi Palace.
End the day at Huanchaco, a traditional fishing town known for its caballitos de totora and as the birthplace of ceviche.
Overnight in Trujillo. (B)

Day 04 / Trujillo – Chiclayo

Breakfast at the hotel.
Depart by road towards the Chicama Valley, crossing sugarcane fields to reach the El Brujo Archaeological Complex. Visit the Huaca Cao Viejo and the tomb of the Lady of Cao, a Moche priestess whose discovery transformed our understanding of pre-Hispanic female power.
Explore the modern Cao Museum with its six themed rooms and the well-preserved mummy of the Lady of Cao.
Lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Chiclayo.
Overnight in Chiclayo. (B, L)

Day 05 / Chiclayo

Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning visit to Huaca Rajada in Sipán, where the tomb of the Lord of Sipán — one of the most important discoveries in the Americas — was unearthed. Continue to the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum in Lambayeque to see gold and silver artifacts, jewelry, and ceremonial pieces.
End the tour at the Brüning Museum, home to a vast collection of archaeological treasures.
Overnight in Chiclayo. (B)

Day 06 / Chiclayo – Chachapoyas

Breakfast at the hotel.
Early departure for a scenic drive to the Amazonas region (approx. 9 hours / 420 km), through valleys, mountains, and cloud forests. Arrival in Chachapoyas at dusk.
Overnight in Chachapoyas. (B)

Day 07 / Chachapoyas – Kuelap – Chachapoyas

Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning excursion to the Kuelap Fortress, an ancient walled city built by the Chachapoya culture in the 9th century AD. Reach the site via cable car and explore its 420 circular structures, including temples and watchtowers, surrounded by cloud forest.
Return to Chachapoyas. Overnight. (B)

Day 08 / Chachapoyas – Gocta Waterfall – Chachapoyas

Breakfast at the hotel.
Depart for a trek to the impressive Gocta Waterfall (771 m), the third highest in the world. The 5-hour hike (roundtrip) passes through lush cloud forest filled with orchids, birds, and unique flora.
Return to Chachapoyas. Overnight. (B)

Day 09 / Chachapoyas – Cajamarca

Breakfast at the hotel.
Embark on one of Peru’s most scenic routes (approx. 245 km / 8 hrs) via Balsas and Celendín to Cajamarca, crossing mountain ranges and diverse ecosystems from desert canyons to highland valleys.
Overnight in Cajamarca. (B)

Day 10 / Cajamarca – Cumbemayo – City Tour – Ventanillas de Otuzco

Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit Cumbemayo to admire unique rock formations, caves, and the ancient pre-Inca aqueduct from the Chavín period.
Continue with a city tour of Cajamarca’s colonial landmarks, including the Cuarto del Rescate — the ransom chamber of the Inca Atahualpa.
In the afternoon, visit the Ventanillas de Otuzco, an impressive necropolis carved into volcanic rock.
Return to the hotel. Overnight in Cajamarca. (B)

Day 11 / Cajamarca – Lima

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Miraflores.
In the afternoon, visit the renowned Larco Museum, featuring the most complete pre-Columbian art collection in Peru.
Enjoy a farewell lunch at a traditional restaurant.
Overnight in Lima. (B, L)