Discover the archaeological treasures lying in the coastal desert of northern Peru including the pre Columbian mud brick city of Chan Chan, Huaca de la Luna, El Brujo and the Royal Tombs of Sipan. Experience a Peruvian Paso Horse presentation while enjoying the delicious Peruvian food, learn from a local fishermen how to build a “Caballito de totora”, a traditional water vessel made of reed and cross the entire Pomac Forest with its ancient pyramids on your way to Tucume. Then make a scenic drive to the relatively unexplored Amazon region going deep into the mountains and cloud forests. Go on a jungle trip to the Gocta Waterfall, hike to Revash to be amazed by this ancient burial site located in inaccessible cliffs and finally be ready to explore Kuelap fortress with its massive walls and stunning views. Last but not least enjoy Cajamarca city and explore the pre Inca aqueducts of Cumbemayo, Otuzco and Granja Porcon.
Upon arriving to Trujillo, by bus or plane, reception by a Peruvian Soul representative and transfer to your hotel, where we will take a few minutes to brief you on your upcoming program.
At 12.30 our private guide will pick us up to take us to a demonstration of the Peruvian Paso horse. This horse breed is distinguished by a natural, four-beat, lateral gait called the paso llano which adapts perfectly to Peru`s northern coastal desert. It`s gentle pass has inspired dancers to perform complex movements in the Marinera Dance, which will also be performed during this demonstration. A welcoming lunch menu is provided during the demonstation.
We`ll then continue to the “Huaca de la luna”, an adobe mud pyramid made by the Moche Civilication (100 - 750 AC) which is decorated with mural paintings that represent their main deities like Ai–Paec, known as the “Decapitator ”. This is a perfect introduction to this northern program as the whole way of life of the Moches is depicted in the walls of this pyramid. Before entering the monument we`ll visit the interesting site museum which shows pieces found during the excavations of the last 23 years.
Meals: Lunch
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Trujillo
Today`s tour is in private service.
After breakfast we have a short drive to meet our Paso Horse Guides to join them on a 1.5 hour ride along the outskirts of Chan Chan, the capital of the Chimu dynasty (1200 a 1470 AC). This excursion permits you to observe the extension of Chan Chan and its strategic position, close to the sea and aside of a fertile valley. When we arrive in the Nik-An or Tchudi Palace we leave the horses and start a guided walking tour in the only restored palace of Chan Chan: the reliefs in the walls, the huge plazas and the high walls all expres the importance of this old capital.
Afterwards we visit the beach town Huanchaco, where locals have used reed boats, know as“caballitos de totora”, to surf its waves and fish since before the Inca times. A local fisherman will shows us where fishermen find the reed and how they make their reed boats. Our local friends will be more than happy to help you try out these Caballitos de Totora if you wish too!
For lunch, and as a way of learning about the gastronomic aspect of the Moche and Chimu history, we will visit a garden with all the local vegetables and fruits cultivated on the outskirts of Chan Chan: all cultivation is organic and local food will be served in this green environment. We`ll be returning to Trujillo in the afternoon, which will give us some time to explore a little of Trujillos historic city centre at our own rhythm if we`re up for it.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Trujillo
Today`s tour is in private service.
This morning we set off towards Chiclayo. After driving for about an hour we`ll reach the “Huaca el Brujo”, a sacred site which was used by different civilizations. During the Moche period (100 - 750 AC) the site was ruled by the Lady of Cao, the first female emperor in Peru (100 AC). The mural paintings of the pyramid are very well preserved and, in the site museum, we can find the remains and the belongings of the Lady of Cao.
This site has historically been a place frequented by the famous Northern Chamans to come together and relieve energies. After the tour we will have an interactive demonstration of how these traditional doctors have endured for many centuries and are still very much active nowadays.
Our next stop will be at Pacasmayo, a small and beautiful beachside town between Trujillo and Chiclayo. Pacasmayo used to be an important port for exporting sugar cane and rice in the 19th an early 20th Century, nowadays it is famous for its amazing surf. Here we`ll enjoy lunch on a restaurant located in the waterfront promenade.
We`ll then continue our journey towards the centre of Chiclayo and its herbal market, place where the traditional doctors (Shamans) buy their herbs. This “witch market” is part of the central market of Chiclayo, a huge traditional market.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Chiclayo
Today`s tour is in private service.
Today`s first stop will be at the Museum of Sican which holds a great collection of golden objects found in Pomac Forest. Some of the golden artifacts in this museum are said to be amongst the most beautiful ever found in the province of Lambayeque, or maybe even in the whole of Peru.
We`ll then continue to the sacred dry tropical forest of Bosque de Pomac itself. The forest, which holds 34 ancient pyramids, was the old capital of the Lambayeque culture. We will cross the entire forest as we approach Tucume for lunch.
First we visit the arbol milenario, an ancient tree where many ceremonial and mystical rituals and legends have taken place. Closeby we visit the Huaca Las Ventanas, an adobe construction still in excavation. On the way we can observe local families who still live in traditional houses. Many of the families speak Muchik, the local dialect and live of farming. We`ll then visit the Salinas viewpoint for great views of Pomac and its pyramids. This forest gives us good idea of the natural habitat of Precolombian cultures in the North Coast.
Lunch will be served at the outskirts of the archeological site of Tucume, the last Capital of the Lambayeque culture with 26 truncated pyramids of up to 35 meters high.
Afterwards we visit the splendid museum Tumbas Reales with the remains of the tomb of the Lord of Sipán, the most important archeological discovery in Latin America of the last 30 years: he was a leader of the Mochica hierarchy. Today, we´ll spend the night at the peacefull hotel “Los Horcones de Tucume”.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Horcones de Tucume
Today`s tour is in private service.
In the freshness of the early morning we’ll visit the archeological site Tucume. These huge pyramids and ceremonial plateaus were built using the local “adobe” (mud bricks) by the Lambayeque and Chimu Civilizations (900 AD). Tucume consists of 26 pyramids stretched in a forest area covering over 540 acres.
After this tour prepare for a 10 hour journey on private transport through the northeastern Peruvian Andean range, over the Porcuya mountain pass (7,000ft), crossing the rice fields of Bagua, and driving along the gorgeous Utcubamba Canyon to Chachapoyas, gateway to the territory of the ancient “Sachapuyu” or “inhabitants of the Cloud forest”. Late evening arrival and transfer to the Gocta Lodge where you´ll spend the night with awesome views overlooking the famous Gocta Waterfall.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Gocta Lodge
Today`s tour is in private service.
Today, departing from Cocachimba we´ll start a 3 hour hike to the famous Gocta Waterfall, one of the tallest falls in the world (771m). To reach the fall we follow a smooth path which crosses; first through cultivated fields and then goes into the cloud forest, home of the yellow-tailed woolly monkey, mountain sloth and the magnificent cock-of-the-rock. Those brave enough may want a dip in the base pool. Later we head back to the village and drive to the charming lodge “El Chillo”where we´ll spend the night.
Meals: Breakfast & box Lunch
Accommodation: El Chillo Lodge
Today`s tour is in private service.
Departing from our lodge, located on a strategic location in the Utcubamba Canyon, a one and half hour drive takes us to the fortified citadel of Kuelap located above a mountain ridge at 9,850 feet. The towering walls and hundreds of roundhouses capped by the cloud forest always amaze first time visitors. We explore this pre Inca citadel which contains not only archaeological remains of singular value but also stunning views of the valley and the possibility to observe a wide variety of birds. After visiting Kuelap we return to our charming lodge.
Meals: Breakfast & box Lunch
Accommodation: El Chillo Lodge
Today`s tour is in private service.
Today’s tour will take us from our lodge, to Revash and then onto Leymebamba. The first stop is at the village of Santo Tomas. From where we take a short hike to the grave-towers of Revash. A succession of Chachapoyas “tombs” located over narrow and inaccessible cliffs in shape of miniature houses which host the mummified remains of the elite ancestors. After lunch our route takes us by car along the Utcubamba valley up to the pleasant town of Leymebamba where we visit its famous museum. The museum contains not only a remarkable archaeological collection, ceramic artifacts and textiles but also 225 mummies that were salvaged from the mausoleums of Lake of the Condors. Time permitting we will visit the Quenti Café to see the world's most famous hummingbird: the wonderful "tail spatula Colibri '.
Meals: Breakfast & box Lunch
Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Leymebamba
Today`s tour is in private service.
This scenic eight hours drive along a well maintained mountain gravel road crosses trough an incredible array of ecodiversity. Once in Cajamarca you will have time to relax at your comfortable hotel.
Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Cajamarca
Meals: Breakfast and box lunch
Today`s tour is in private service.
We start the day exploring the geological-archaeological site of Cumbemayo or “fine carved aqueduct” a pre Inca remarkable hydraulic system related to the water cult. Cumbemayo which is believed to be 3,500 years old is a stunning mix of giant rock formations, ancient water channels and petroglyphs. The most interesting aspect of Cumbemayo is the 800 meters of remaining canals and aqueducts that have a perfect shape and fine polished finish, and were used in ancient times to control the flow of the water. After visiting Cumbemayo, we return to Cajamarca stopping at a lookout called Apolonia hilltop to get an unbeatable view of Cajamarca and the entire valley. After lunch we visit the Belen Church complex and the Rescue Room, where Atahualpa, the last true Inca, was held captive.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Cajamarca
In the morning we will do a visit to Porcon Farm, an agricultural and cattle cooperative surrounded by a pine forest up in the hills above Cajamarca city. The local villager produces various kind of Andean food as well as textiles. Here travellers will be able to take part in farming shores and see how cows are still called by name at milking time. After the visit, we will take you to the airport at time for your flight to Lima. END OF OUR SERVICES.
Meals: Breakfast
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