Explore Northern Peru & Machu Picchu
16 days
From
$ 4299
Duration16 days
Experience the many splendours of Peru's ancient past on this 16-day tour that takes you to famed sites and hidden gems. In northern Peru, discover traces of pre-Inca cultures, including the mountaintop fortified city of Kuelap, home to the Chachapoyas “Cloud Warriors;” and the eroded adobe ruins of Chan Chan. Round out your exploration of Peru’s fascinating past with an early morning guided visit to magnificent Machu Picchu.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 16 daysService level: Upgraded
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Physical Grading: Average
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Ages: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Lima
We recommend booking a pre-night in Lima (in particular if your flight arrives into Lima in the evening) to recover from international flights and rest up before the excitement.
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.
Please note that hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Peru (even in upgraded hotels and private homes). We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control.
Day 2: Lima/Chachapoyas
Board an early flight to Jaen, then travel overland to Chachapoyas, gateway to the archaeological sites of northern Peru. "Chacha" as it's known locally, will be our base for exploring the natural, cultural, and archaeological highlights of the region.
Meals: B
Day 3: Gocta Falls
Hike through the cloud forest to Gocta waterfall, one of the world's tallest cascades, 771 meters (2,156 feet) high. Ancient legends that discouraged local community members from talking about the falls, which did not begin receiving visitors until 2005 and are still relatively unknown. Take in Gocta’s mesmerizing spray; then opt for a longer hike to its base, or enjoy a free afternoon.
Meals: B, L
Day 4: Kuelap Fortress
This morning, get immersed in the culture and history of the Chachapoyan people at Kuelap, a fortified city made up of more than 400 circular buildings and complexes. Ride a cable car up to the site, thought to have been an important cultural center for these pre-Inca "Cloud Warriors." Learn about coffee harvesting at a sustainable coffee farm before tasting coffee from the area. Later, try to spot some of the 130 bird species that live in the surrounding ecological reserve, including the spatula-tailed hummingbird.
Meals: B, L
Day 5: Chachapoyas/Chiclayo
Today, drive to Chiclayo. This coastal town, founded in the 18th century, was once an important trade route between the coast and the jungle and is rich with archaeological sites and cultural history. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city on your own.
Meals: B, L
Day 6: Chiclayo
Enjoy a visit to one of the most archaeologically rich museums in Peru: the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum. In the afternoon, explore the tombs of Huaca Rajada and Lord Sipán, a series of burial chambers used by the pre-Inca Moche culture.
Meals: B, L
Day 7: Chiclayo/Trujillo
Drive down the coast to colonial Trujillo, stopping along the way at the tomb of the Dama de Cao. Tour the site and hear about the mummy discovered here in 2006, thought to be the remains of the Lady of Cao, a high-ranking Moche ruler. In the afternoon, explore Trujillo to discover baroque churches and local markets.
Meals: B
Day 8: Chan Chan/Lima
Visit the Temples of the Sun and the Moon. Later, enjoy a visit to Chan Chan, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the world's largest adobe city. The former capital of the Chimu people, Chan Chan covers 26 square kilometers (10 square miles) and was once home to about 50,000 people. Fly back to Lima this evening.
Meals: B
Day 9: Lima
Enjoy a free day to explore Lima's capital city.
Meals: B
Day 10: Lima/Urubamba
Board an early flight to Cusco then head to the Sacred Valley. Explore the pre-Inca salt pans of Las Salineras and tour the Maras and Moray ruins. Enjoy a traditional pachamanca-style meal of local specialties.
There are some very early morning starts on this trip to make the best use of our time and see as much as we can of Peru in a week.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11: Urubamba
Continue exploring the Sacred Valley with a visit to the “Parque de la Papa” (“Potato Park”). An exclusive experience for Journeys travellers and part of G Adventures for Good, you'll walk through this rural community with a local guide to learn about potato cultivation, weaving, and the importance of both to Andean culture. Also, explore the Ollantaytambo and Pisac ruins and visit the G Adventures-supported Sacred Valley Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosqo.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Urubamba/Aguas Calientes
For serious archaeology buffs, there is time for an optional independent visit to Machu Picchu before the guided tour the following morning.
Catch an early transfer to Ollantaytambo station and board the scenic train to Aguas Calientes with the option to visit the market.
Please bear in mind that the town has several amenities, but is also geographically remote meaning services are sometimes more basic than one would assume. As the only option for travellers visiting Machu Picchu, the development of infrastructure has happened quite quickly, much without proper planning, and the focus on providing quality service may not be up to the standards experienced in other parts of the country.
Those who have chosen the option in advance to hike the "1-day Inca Trail" will disembark the train at km 104 to begin the trek. The trail rises steeply up into the mountains and will take hikers past the archaeological sites of Wiñay Wayna and Inti Pata, where the local guide will provide insights into the fascinating culture of the Incas en route to the trek's culmination at the Sun Gate. Enjoy a packed lunch along the way and reach the Sun Gate in the late afternoon with a chance for a preliminary exploration of Machu Picchu before the guided tour on Day 5. Transfer by bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes to rejoin the group and spend the night in a hotel. If time permits, take an optional visit to the nearby hot springs to soak your sore muscles.
1-day Inca Trail option:
Approximate Distance: 11 km
Estimated hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Those who have chosen the option in advance to hike the "1-day Inca Trail" will disembark the train at km 104 to begin the trek. The trail rises steeply up into the mountains and will take hikers past the archaeological sites of Wiñay Wayna and Inti Pata, where the local guide will provide insights into the fascinating culture of the Incas en route to the trek's culmination at the Sun Gate. Enjoy a packed lunch along the way and reach the Sun Gate in the late afternoon with a chance for a preliminary exploration of Machu Picchu before the guided tour on Day 5. Transfer by bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes to rejoin the group and spend the night in a hotel. If time permits, take an optional visit to the nearby hot springs to soak your sore muscles.
1-day Inca Trail option:
Approximate Distance: 11 km
Estimated hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Meals: B
Day 13: Aguas Calientes/Cusco
Enjoy a guided tour of the Machu Picchu ruins. Get free time to explore on your own or take an optional visit to the Inca Bridge before returning to Cusco by train.
Meals: B
Day 14: Cusco
Please remember that star gazing is completely weather dependent and sometimes there can be cloudy skies.
Explore historic Cusco with options to visit museums or go whitewater rafting, horseback riding, or mountain biking. This evening, take in a different view of the night sky at the Cusco Planetarium. Enjoy a presentation on the southern sky, contemporary astronomy, and the ancient Inca relationship with the cosmos. Check out the on-site museum and use their telescopes to admire the stars.
Please note that if you pre-book the Peru Culinary Bundle, on day 6 you will be picked up from your hotel at approx 12:30 and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. You will return back to your hotel around 16:00.
Meals: B
Day 15: Cusco/Lima
Fly back to Lima and spend an afternoon in Peru's bustling capital.
Meals: B
Day 16: Lima
Depart at any time.
Your CEO can help arrange an optional transfer to the airport.
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Sustainable Coffee Farm Experience, Amazilia Ecological Reserve Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Traditional Andean Experience, Urubamba Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Cusco Planetarium, Cusco Your G for Good Moment: Parque de la Papa (Potato Park), Urubamba Your G for Good Moment: Parwa Community Restaurant the Sacred Valley, Lamay Your Discover Moment: Cusco
- Arrival transfer
- Kuelap fortress visit (Chachapoyas)
- Gocta waterfall hike
- Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum (Lambayeque)
- Lord of Sipán tomb visit
- Dama de Cao mummy visit
- Chan Chan adobe city visit
- Two-day Sacred Valley tour including Ollantaytambo, Moray, and Pisac ruins and pre-Inca salt pans
- Traditional pachamanca-style dinner
- Scenic train and guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Private van, Plane, Walking -
Accommodation
Hotels (15 nts)