A 3-week trip of the mystical north of Peru

21 days – From €10,875 per person

off the beaten track – ancient civilisations – the Andes – rainforests

Day 3 | Caral – Anta

Today, accompanied by your guide, you will visit the archaeological site of Caral. This ancient civilisation dates back no less than 5,000 years. At the site, you’ll see the remains of ancient structures such as the amphitheatre and the central square. If you’re interested, you can also visit the museum at Supe – for a fee – where all the artefacts unearthed during the excavations are on display. Once you have seen everything, you will drive on to the boutique hotel Cuesta Serena, where you will be staying for the next four nights. The hotel is beautifully situated, surrounded by mountains.
Overnight stay: Cuesta Serena | bed and breakfast and lunch

Day 4 | Anta

After an early breakfast, you’ll visit the Pastoruri Glacier in Huaraz. The glacier is one of the few to have survived in the tropical regions of South America and lies at 5,250 metres above sea level. On the way to the glacier, you’ll make a number of stops, including at Lake Patococha. Here you can spot various species of birds and enjoy the view. You’ll also stop at Lake Pumapampa. This lake changes colour due to a combination of sunlight and minerals. At the glacier, you can go for a walk, exploring the southern part of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range. The Cordillera Blanca is just over 180 kilometres long and comprises 33 peaks over 6,000 metres.
Overnight stay: Cuesta Serena | bed and breakfast and lunch

Day 5 | Anta

In the morning, you will travel with your guide to the underground temples of Chavín de Huantar. These temples were built by the Huari people, one of the most important cultures in South America. Between 500 and 200 BC, this sacred city exerted an enormous influence on the coastal regions of Peru. The temples you will see here are among the oldest man-made structures in Latin America.
Overnight stay: Cuesta Serena | bed and breakfast and lunch

Day 6 | Anta

Today you’ll go for a walk in Huascaran National Park to one of Peru’s most beautiful lakes: Laguna 69. The park is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. The walk to Laguna 69 takes you past various lakes, waterfalls and stunning views of several snow-capped mountain peaks. After a few hours, you’ll reach the glacial lake, Laguna 69, and be rewarded with a view of the turquoise-blue lake. Take a moment to enjoy the stunning surroundings here before setting off on the return walk.
Overnight stay: Cuesta Serena | bed and breakfast and lunch

Day 7 | Anta

After breakfast, you’ll set off for Caraz. After about a two-hour drive, you’ll reach the starting point of today’s walk. First, you’ll follow the northern shore of Lake Paron, the largest lake in the Cordillera Blanca. You’ll continue through the valley towards Mount Artesonraju. As you walk through the valley, you’ll enjoy stunning views of this mountain with its snow-capped peak. You’ll cross several streams and rivers to follow the path to Lake Artesoncocha. Once you arrive at the lake, you’ll have a panoramic view of the various mountains surrounding you. Whilst you enjoy the view, it’s time to have your lunch. After lunch, it’s time to head back, and you’ll be taken back to the hotel.
Overnight stay: Cuesta Serena | bed and breakfast and lunch

Day 8 | Anta – Trujillo

After breakfast, you will continue your journey to Trujillo. On the way to Trujillo, you will pass through the Casma Valley. One of Peru’s oldest archaeological sites, Cerro Sechin, is located here. The site was discovered in 1937 and is best known for its megalithic structures and engraved stones depicting human sacrifices. The stone sculptures depict a mythical or historical scene in which a group of armed men make their way through the mutilated remains of human victims. If you wish, you can also visit the Sechin Museum here before continuing on to your hotel in Trujillo. Trujillo is a colonial coastal town south of Chiclayo.
Accommodation: De Sol y Barra Huacas de Moche | bed and breakfast and lunch

Day 9 | Trujillo

After your private guide has collected you from your hotel, you will be taken to the Moche Valley. You will visit Huaca de la Luna, an archaeological site where the Moche civilisation built its palaces. This civilisation lived here around the beginning of the Common Era and is best known for its pottery and the architecture of its palaces. The coloured palace walls are particularly striking, and much of them remains intact. You will visit the Chimu Dragon Temple and your guide will take you to the fishing village of Huanchaco, best known for the traditional reed boats used here, known as ‘Caballitos de Totora’. These are still made by the local people and used for fishing. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the adobe city of Chan Chan. Here you’ll have the opportunity to explore the remains of, amongst other things, water reservoirs, cemeteries, farms and ceremonial squares.
Overnight: De Sol y Barra Huacas de Moche | bed and breakfast and lunch

Day 10 | Trujillo – Chiclayo

Today you’ll travel on to the city of Chiclayo. On the way, you’ll visit El Brujo, an important archaeological site associated with the Moche culture. This pyramid features remarkable reliefs and carvings on its exterior. An exceptionally well-preserved mummy was found inside this pyramid. You will then continue on to Chiclayo. Here, you will have the rest of the day at your leisure. Chiclayo has a number of local dishes that are certainly worth trying, such as ‘arroz con pato’ (duck served with rice) and the local version of ‘ceviche’ (raw fish marinated in lemon juice). We highly recommend visiting Chiclayo’s local market, the Mercado Modelo.
Accommodation: Casa Andina Select Chiclayo | bed and breakfast and lunch

Day 11 | Chiclayo

Today, accompanied by your guide, you will visit the Chaparrí Nature Reserve. This nature reserve is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including a number of endangered species such as the island fox, the guanaco and the spectacled bear. The nature reserve takes its name from Mount Chaparrí, which was regarded as sacred by the Mochi culture and is still often considered sacred by shamans.
Accommodation: Casa Andina Select Chiclayo | bed and breakfast and lunch

Day 12 | Chiclayo

After breakfast, you’ll start the day with a visit to the Huaca Rajada archaeological site, the location of the tomb of the Lord of Sipán – the largest tomb ever found in South America, discovered in 1987. You will also visit the museum dedicated to this archaeological find. This museum is a must for lovers of archaeology and ancient cultures. There are many everyday objects, jewellery, ceramics and textiles, all of which have been restored in great detail. Here you will learn more about the pre-Columbian Moche culture, in which the Lord of Sipán most likely played an important role. After your visit to the museum, you will be taken back to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Casa Andina Select Chiclayo | bed and breakfast and lunch

Day 13 | Chiclayo – Cajamarca

Another long drive is on the programme today. The journey to Cajamarca takes around 6.5 hours, with a stop at Kuntur Wasi along the way. This archaeological site was a commercial centre of the Chayin culture. The site dates back to 1100 BC and houses some of the oldest gold artefacts on the American continent. Cajamarca is particularly famous for the fact that the last Inca ruler, Atahualpa, was executed here by the conquistador Francisco Pizarro. This effectively marked the capitulation of the Inca people to the Spanish. The old town features beautiful churches, and the thermal baths in this region date back to the time of the Incas.
Overnight stay: Laguna Seca Hotel & Spa | bed and breakfast and lunch

Day 14 | Cajamarca

Accompanied by your guide, you will visit the Cumbemayo archaeological complex. The complex is believed to be a site where sacrifices were made to the gods during the Cajamarca culture. Cumbemayo comprises an aqueduct, caves, a sanctuary, various ceremonial altars and an impressive forest of stones. You will also be taken to Ventillas de Otuzco, a site where niches have been carved into the rocks. The remains of the deceased from an unknown pre-Inca people were preserved in these niches. This people likely had Wari influences and inhabited the area even before the Cajamarca people.
Overnight stay: Laguna Seca Hotel & Spa | bed and breakfast and lunch

Day 15 | Cajamarca – Chachapoyas

Today you’ll drive across the rolling hills before crossing the Marañon River via a suspension bridge to Leymebamba, situated in the cloud forests of Chachapoyas. The Chachapoyas culture was an empire ruled by the supreme Incas in Cuzco. However, the tribe was not an easy subject for the Incas, as there was considerable resistance to being part of the Cuzco empire. Little is known about the Chachapoyas prior to the Inca period. What is known comes from the ruins, pottery, tombs and other artefacts they left behind. You will walk to the Mausoleums of Revash. These are burial structures situated at the foot of enormous rocks. They are painted red and cream and resemble small houses. Some are up to three storeys high, whilst others have gabled roofs with T-shaped, cross-shaped and square windows. The mausoleums can be viewed from a distance of around 100 metres, a strategic vantage point from which to fully admire the funerary complex. After the visit, you will enjoy lunch. You will then visit the Centro Mallqui museum, also known as the Leymebamba Museum, whose design reflects local architectural traditions. The rich and varied flora adorns the surrounding gardens and highlights the collection of orchids, comprising over 100 local varieties. This museum houses a valuable collection of 240 mummies found in the Lagoon of the Condors.
Overnight stay: Fundo Achamaqui | bed and breakfast and lunch

Day 16 | Chachapoyas

Today you will visit Kuelap, an architectural site built by the Chachapoyas. You’ll travel to the village of Nuevo Tingo, from where you’ll take the bus to the cable car station. A modern cable car will take you up to the top, where your walk begins towards the ‘fortress’ situated on the summit of Cerro Barreta, at an altitude of around 3,000 metres. At first glance, Kuelap appears inaccessible, protected as it is by colossal walls and cliffs. Inside Kuelap, there are three levels and circular buildings decorated with diamond-shaped and zigzag friezes. The complex interior architecture suggests that this was a well-organised community. The surrounding landscape and natural environment make the visit an unforgettable experience. After your visit, you’ll return by cable car to Nuevo Tingo for lunch, after which you’ll be taken back to the town of Chachapoyas.
Overnight stay: Fundo Achamaqui | bed and breakfast and lunch

Day 17 | Chachapoyas – Cocachimba

In the morning, you’ll visit the village of Cruz Pata with your private guide. This small village is the starting point of the road to Karajia. Karajia is a burial site dating back to the time of the Chachapoyas. On the way, enjoy a panoramic view of the main square in Luya. At the burial site, you can see various remarkable sarcophagi, made of stone, clay and wood. The structures are enormous, reaching heights of up to 2.5 metres. Due to the difficult access to the tombs, they have been exceptionally well preserved for centuries. In the afternoon, you will visit the caves of Quiocta, a whimsical creation of nature. These caves contain seven chambers featuring various stalactites and stalagmites. Due to their distinctive and varied shapes, each formation has been given its own name.
Overnight stay: Gocta Andes Lodge | bed and breakfast and lunch

Day 18 | Cocachimba

Today, your guide will take you to the Gocta Waterfalls. You will be taken to the Cocachimba community, home to around 200 families. This is where your walk to the 771-metre-high Gocta Waterfalls begins. When the German explorer Stefan Ziemendorff discovered these waterfalls, he believed them to be the third highest in the world. Nowadays, other high waterfalls are known to exist. To reach the falls, you’ll walk about 5 km through a dense forest and over uneven terrain. After this two-hour walk, you will reach the waterfalls. You can enjoy the natural surroundings and relax for a while before heading back to your hotel. With a bit of luck, you may spot the red rock cock and other rare bird and animal species.
Overnight stay: Gocta Lodge | bed and breakfast and lunch

Day 19 | Cocachimba – Chachapoyas – Lima

It is time to leave northern Peru. You will be collected and taken to Chachapoyas Airport for your flight to Lima. On arrival in Lima, a transfer will be waiting to take you to your hotel in the city.
Overnight stay: Casa Republica | bed and breakfast

Day 20 | Lima – Amsterdam

Unfortunately, your Unique Journey comes to an end today. You will be collected from your hotel and taken to the airport. Here, you will board your intercontinental flight to Amsterdam. You will arrive in Amsterdam the following afternoon.

Day 21 | Amsterdam

You will arrive in Amsterdam today.