ITINERARIES IN PERUPeru is a country of contrasts: Rainforest and desert, fertile valleys, white sandy beaches and snow-covered mountains - in Peru you will find a bit of everything. Our recommended roundtrips are suggestions how you can explore the diversity of Peru.
Peru Intensive - On
the trace of the Inca -
Mystic North
Experience Peru in all its diversity! This tour leads us to the lesser known North of Peru: To Trujillo - ·the City of Eternal Spring - to the green Highlands of Cajamarca and to the spectacular tombs of the Lord of Sipan in Chiclayo. Starting point is Lima, the "City of Kings". Firstly you will visit the green and fertile highland of Cajamarca. After a spectacular trip down the Andes, passing Leymebamba you will arrive in Chachapoyas. You will have the chance to visit the impressive fortress of Kuelap and the stone heads of Karajía. Later you will return to the coast in order to visit the magic archaeological sites close to Chiclayo and Trujillo. The last days of your journey you will spend in Huaraz and in the Cordillera Blanca, in the Huascarán National Park, at the centre for outdoor sports.
Day 1: Arrival in Lima Day 2: Lima Lima is the commercial centre of Peru. The historical centre of the city hosts a number of interesting sights such as the government palace, the Plaza de Armas, the cathedral, the church of San Francisco, as well as mansions with their colonial era ornate wooden balconies. You will also be able to enjoy a walk through the districts of Miraflores and San Isidro where you can see old houses in European style besides modern commercial buildings. San Isidro and Miraflores both have many shops and pedestrian shopping centres, where you can find handicrafts, arts, clothes and anything you might be looking for. The Archaeological and Anthropological Museum offers a very good overview of the diversity of the many Pre-Columbian Peruvian cultures and is the ideal introduction for your roundtrip.
Tag 3: Lima - Cajamarca The city of Cajamarca is part of the historical heritage of the continent as it was the site of one of the most transcendent episodes in South American history: The last Inca Atahualpa was taken prisoner, betrayed and executed by the Conquistador Pizarro, which was the beginning of the destruction of the huge Inca Empire. Today the city is a rich and attractive centre of the Northern Andes with well conserved colonial architecture and a lot of interesting trekking paths to the green and untouched countryside. To the East of the city is located the Ventanillas de Otuzco (ventanilla meaning 'small window'), a pre-Hispanic religious site, which contains many niches, where the Pre-Columbian people of this region used to entomb thier dead. During the trip to the agricultural cooperative 'Granja Porcón' travellers have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the agricultural activities of this region.
Day 4: Cajamarca The archeological and geographical site of Cumbe Mayo hosts an impressive pre-Inca aqueduc built around 1500 B.C. that stretches for about five miles. Another impressive attraction in the area are the huge rock formations which have been sculpted by erosion over thousands of years. The trekking on the Ancient Inca Path - the Qhapaq Ñan - leads you through a fascinating and abundant array of nature, being host to many animal species, especially birds. Day 5: Cajamarca - Leymebamba -
Chachapoyas
Day 6: Chachapoyas - Kuelap - Chachapoyas Kuelap is a fortress on the top of a 3000 metre high and nearly impenetrable mountain. It is one of the most important pre-Inca fortresses in Latin America being built by the Chachapoya culture , who were called the "The Warriors of the Clouds". This site is of special significance because of the ingenuitive constructions built in order to collect water, and it was because of these that the fortress was self-sustaining. The structure also has an impact on the visitor with it's impressive 20 metre high walls, which stretch for 600 metres. Day 7: Chachapoyas - Chiclayo During the 1980s, the Peruvian archeologist Federico Kauffmann-Doig discovered some mystic stone statues in a sheer limestone rock wall in Karajía. The statues have human features and are infact sarcophagi, which once contained mummified human remains. These sarcophagi are painted and look out accross the valley. They are a unique attraction and the site is highly recommended for a visit.
Day 8: Chiclayo
Day 9: Lambayeque - Trujillo In the Museum 'Tumbas Reales del Señor de Sipan' (one of the most modern and exciting museums in South America) one can gaze at the Tomb of the Lord of Sipan. The architects of this museum were inspired by the pyramids of the culture of Moche and is reflected in its design. The result is a monumental building which combines influences of both the modern and ancient cultures. The museum has been open since in 2002. Day 10: Trujillo Trujillo, also called the "City of everlasting spring" due to its mild and favorable climate, lies on the northern coast of Peru. The historic city centre has been preserved in its original state. The houses emanate all the charm of the beautiful colonial style, with the typical wooden balconies and the magnificent stucco facades. Trujillo is also capital of the Peruvian national dance, Marinera and the typical Peruvian “Paso” horses. The Sun and the Moon Pyramid are the impressive remaining monuments of the Moche culture and were built out of 140 million clay bricks on an area of 345 x 160 metres. The magnificent colorful reliefs of both buildings make them a splendid attraction. Day 11: Trujillo Chan Chan: the remains of the ancient capital of the once powerful Empire of the Chimu culture is situated 6 kilometres from the city. Chan chan once housed up to 100,000 inhabitants and therefore was the largest pre-Columbian Adobe built city. No other city has so many decorations and was so well planned. Day 12: Trujillo - Huaraz Huaraz is the starting point for trips in one of the most beautiful of Andean landscapes - the Cordillera Blanca. A great majority of these mountains are protected by the National Park Huascarán: 663 glaciers, 269 turquoise mountain lakes, 41 rivers and many mountains, with 26 peaks over 6000 metres. Another attraction in this area are the many interesting archaeological sites. Huascarán National Park is one of the most impressive in Latin America and also a renowned centre for outdoor sports. As Huaraz is located at an altitude of 3090m acclimatisation is recommended for at least the first day. The colourful market with many handicrafts and other typical souvenirs is a nice opportunity to stroll around and get in touch with the traditions of this region.
Day 13: Huaraz - Lagunas de Llanganuco
- Huaraz The trip to the two mountain lakes of Llanganuco goes through beautiful landscapes, passing the majestic Huascaran (6768m) and Huandoy (6428m), the highest mountains in Peru. The first mountain lake is called Chinacocha. Visitors are impressed by the beautiful turquoise water and the wonderful landscapes around the lagoon. Additionally the visitor can walk in 2 hours to the second lagoon Oroncocha. Day 14: Huaraz - Chavin de Huantar
or Pastoruri - Huaraz
Chavin de Huantar dates back to 800 B.C. and was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city was the most important religious centre for the culture of Chavín. Today the visitor can see many rock paintings and buildings. Day 15: Lima Are you interested in hiking the legendary Inca Trail? Click
here for further information! |
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