Forgotten Peru

Welcome to Peru! Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore this buzzing city. The Peruvian capital was founded in 1535 by the Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizzaro. Here, you will encounter colonial richness and the vibrating vitality of an oriental bazaar. The city has melancholic winters where the fog ‘garua & rules and also hot and humid summers. There are huge districts where poor people live but also rich quarters with comfortable, old houses and the smell of jasmine in the evening. Stay: Antigua Miraflores Hotel or similar

After having breakfast at the hotel, we will be transferred to the historical centre of Lima, the ‘City of the Kings', a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will visit San Francisco Church, built in 1674, this attractive yellow church is considered the best sample of the ‘Lima Baroque' style. It was built over a network of tunnels and catacombs. Visit Casa Aliaga, America's best preserved colonial mansion, occupied by the same family since 1535. The Huaca Pucllana archaeological centre will be our next stop; it was active between the 5th- 8th century AD. In this archaeological temple you will learn more about the life and rituals of its former inhabitants. The ‘flattened pyramids & are a unique characteristic of the pre-Hispanic sites in the coastal region of Peru.

From here, return to your hotel to collect your luggage and you will be met and transferred to the airport for your flight to Trujillo. (Depart 16.40hrs, arrive 17.55hrs). Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Stay: Costa de Sol Trujillo or similar (B/D)

Following breakfast this morning, you will head to Chan Chan Archaeological complex, the largest mud city of the Americas and the most important city of the Chimu culture, which has an area of approximately 20 square kilometres. Its central area is formed by a group of 10 walled premises called ‘citadels' and other independent pyramids. The rest of the complex is composed of several small structures, sidewalks, canals, walls and cemeteries.

You will then visit the Huaca Dragon (Dragon Temple), also known as the Rainbow Temple, located in the outskirts of northern Trujillo. This building was erected by the Chimu culture, a lordship contemporary of the Incas. It is an impressive religious monument and ceremonial centre which was also used for administrative purposes. Built of adobe, the walls of the premises are decorated with beautiful mural reliefs showing anthropomorphic figures and representing the rainbow.

You will then visit Huanchaco, an ancestral fisherman's cove, where it is possible to watch old reed boats known as ‘Caballitos de Totora', with which the local population maintains its thousand year old tradition of artisan fishing. Stay: Costa de Sol Trujillo or similar (B/L/D)

• Walking Distance: Approximately 8 km
• Walking Time: Approximately 3 hours
• Difficulty: Easy. Most of the route is flat and there are certain sections that must be walked on elevated ramps.

You then depart for the Valley of Chicama, located 50km north of Trujillo, to visit the archaeological complex of El Brujo which dates back to the Mochica culture. The capital National University of Trujillo and the National Institute of Culture began a joint dig here in 1990. They have discovered the ‘Huaca Cao highlights', pyramids reaching up to 50m in height with decorated walls decorated and coloured reliefs that depict complex scenes, characters and geometric designs. These are the only examples known to relate to the Mochican culture. Interestingly, the site is located very close to the seashore, and it is believed that ancient maritime rituals were carried out here, although excavation is ongoing and may reveal additional uses for the El Brujo area.

Discover the mystery of the ornately tattooed 1,600 year old mummy unearthed in the archaeological complex. Preserved for centuries thanks to a meticulous treatment and ancient ritual that included the application of cinnabar, a red mineral that inhibits decomposition of the skin and tissues.

From here, you continue on to Chiclayo where you will be transferred to your hotel. Stay: Casa Andina Select Chiclayo Hotel or similar

• Walking Distance: Approximately 4 km
• Walking Time: Approximately 1 hour
• Difficulty: Easy. Most of the route is flat and there are certain sections that must be walked on elevated ramps. (B/L/D)

Begin your day with a visit to Huaca Rajada Archaeological Complex and its museum; home to a set of huge mud pyramids. Partially destroyed by centuries of extreme weather conditions, the complex gained special notoriety in 1987 when Dr Walter Alva, then director of the Bruning Museum of Lambayeque, became aware of the illegal excavations that had been made. What had begun as a protection plan ended with the magnificent discovery of the tomb of the Lord of Sipan, one of the most impressive, pre Colombian burials in Peru.

Head towards Lambayeque where you will visit the Royal Tombs Museum. Due to the Lord of Sipan discovery, whose importance was shown in the complexity of its burial and apparent semi-divine status, the creation of a new museum was necessary to be in accordance with the discovery. Thus, after rescuing, investigating and restoring all registered pieces, the museum was built, a unique place in South America.

From here, visit some local craft villages where you can see magnificent handmade pieces before being transferred to lunch at El Cantaro or El Pacifico, representative northern cuisine restaurants. Following lunch you will return to your hotel. Dinner this evening has been included at a local restaurant in town.

• Walking Distance: Approximately 8 km
• Walking Time: Approximately 3 hours
• Difficulty: Easy. Most of the route is flat and there are certain sections that must be walked on elevated ramps. (B/L/D)

This morning following breakfast, depart for the city of Ferrenafe to visit the museum at Sican. This museum displays all the everyday aspects of Sican culture. You can also see the processes of making pottery and metal crafts besides a recreation of the tombs of the Sican nobles. Most of the objects are displayed in their context that is in the same way they were used and made. The famous Winged Eye Mask is displayed at the ‘Room of Funerary Offerings', along with crowns, necklaces, ceramics and other ornaments.

After this visit, you will head to the Bosque Pomac National Sanctuary. This is one of the most important archaeological sites throughout South America. This site consists of numerous pyramids that were once the administrative and religious centre of the powerful pre-Incan Sican culture. Depending on the archaeological work being undertaken, you can visit Huaca Las Ventanas or Huaca El Loro, where archaeologists are still uncovering the secrets of the Sican people.

Drive to Chiclayo and enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Tucume , a vast Lambayeque archaeological complex that is over 1000 years old flanking an imposing hill, from where the extensive pre Columbian urban site can be surveyed. With over 200 hectares, the complex has 26 buildings of monumental structures associated with lower rank buildings; squares, walls, patios and canals, reflecting a system of planned growth and the complicated social structure of Lambayeque. The remains of this site belong to successive cultures; the Mochica, Lambayeque, Chimu and Inca. Spend time exploring the museum here to better understand what life was like during that period and discover the viewpoint of Cerro Purgatorio. From here you will be transferred back to your hotel for dinner.

Following dinner, drive to the village of Tucume Viejo, where you will meet one of the most renowned Shamans of the north of the region. You will meet in one of the rooms of his home, which is near the archaeological complex, appropriate for the mystical atmosphere required. At midnight, you will start to live a mystical experience with a session of quackery, where you will go through a bath of flourishing and cleansing, to expel all the negative energy through the use of natural herbs and hallucinogens. This session will last all night until dawn. After the session, you will head back to the Chiclayo.

• Walking Distance: Approximately 12 km
• Walking Time: Approximately 4 hours
• Difficulty: Easy. Most of the route is flat and there are certain sections that must be walked on elevated ramps. (B/L/D)

Following breakfast, you will have the chance to explore Chiclayo at your leisure. Be ready for a big drive that night as we begin the 10 hour overnight journey to Chachapoyas traversing the magnificent Andes. Stay: On a tourist bus

• Distance and Journey Time: Approx 10hrs drive, on paved road and trail (B/L/D)

An early arrival this morning at 4.30am. After breakfast, you will be headed to the picturesque town of Cocachimba; from there, you will begin our journey towards Gocta waterfall (an hour and a half on horseback plus one hour walk). Along the way, enjoy the great diversity of flora and fauna, and a splendid view of the waterfall. Gocta Waterfall, locally known as “La Chorrera”, is 771 meters high and it is considered among the highest waterfalls in the world. It is the perfect habitat for toucans, monkeys, mountain lions and Andean cocks-of-the-rock. It is located in a large cloud- covered forest, around which there are about twenty waterfalls. It offers a beautiful combination of geography and history, making it a magical place. Return to San Pablo and have a traditional lunch. Stay 2 Nights: Casa Hacienda Achamaqui or similar

• Walking Distance: Approximately 12 km
• Walking Time: Approximately 5 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult. Trail route with slopes and uneven terrain. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, you will go to Kuelap, a majestic architectural site built by the Chachapoyas. On your way, you will make a brief stop to take in the panoramic view of the Macro Archaeological site, also known as “Macro Towers” known for its characteristic design. Macro is located on the side of a hill overlooking the Utcubamba river. Continue into Nuevo Tingo town, where you will board the bus that will take you to the cable car station. Once on-board the modern cable cars, a short and safe trip will take you to visit Kuelap. You may venture on foot or on horseback to the “Fortress”, which is built on top of the Cerro Barreta (3,000 m.a.s.l.). Kuelap is a place surrounded by beautiful landscapes; at first, it seems inaccessible since it is protected by colossal walls and cliffs on three of its four sides. It has three platforms, and inside they have circular buildings decorated with rhomboidal and zigzag friezes. Its complex interior architecture indicates it was a well-organized population group. The surrounding landscape and the natural scenes make it unforgettable. Return to Nuevo Tingo town for lunch. Then return to Chachapoyas city.

• Walking Distance: Approximately 11 km
• Walking Time: Approximately 4 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate. Route with slopes and steps. (B/L/D)

Following breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Lima where your tour ends on arrival.

• Distance and journey Time: Approx 4hrs drive, on paved road and trail (B)