Northern Peru and the Amazon Rainforest

Treasures of the North: The Awakening of the Sacred Amazon

This exclusive 11-day itinerary offers an immersive journey that connects the grandeur of the pre-Columbian civilizations on the northern coast with the vibrant purity of the Amazon rainforest. From a private exploration of the adobe city of Chan Chan and the ancient murals of the Huacas Mochicas, the journey evolves into a profound sensory experience at a luxury eco-lodge, where travelers discover the secrets of artisanal cacao and the ancestral pottery of Chasuta. This itinerary is designed for those seeking luxury rooted in authenticity, combining breathtaking natural landscapes—such as the Laguna Azul—with the sophistication of impeccable logistics and a culinary experience that pays homage to Peru’s biodiversity.

Hightlights of the Itenerary

Chan Chan and the Mochica Ruins: Explore the world’s largest adobe city and the stunning polychrome murals at the Huacas del Sol and de la Luna in Trujillo.
Boating in Huanchaco: Get an up-close look at the “caballitos de totora,” an ancient fishing technique that is still practiced on the northern coast.
Immersion at the Eco-Lodge: The experience of sleeping in the heart of the Amazon rainforest with the comforts of high-end accommodations, surrounded by the sounds of nature.
Chocolate Workshop at Chakra Pasikiwi: Learn the artisanal process of making chocolate, from seed to bar, in a pristine rainforest setting.
Ancient Pottery in Chasuta: Participate in a private workshop with local artisans whose technique is recognized as National Cultural Heritage; it’s a unique opportunity for cultural connection.
Dazzling Nature: A visit to the Ahuashiyacu Waterfall and a boat ride on Laguna Azul, natural gems of the San Martín region.
Contrasting Cuisines: From a luxurious seafood lunch overlooking the Pacific to traditional charcoal-grilled chicken in Lima’s historic center.

Day 1

Arrival in Peru / Trujillo

Arrival in Lima; meet-and-greet and assistance at the international airport. Connect to the domestic flight to Trujillo (approx. 1 hr 20 min). Upon arrival, personalized welcome and transfer to the hotel.

Check-in at the hotel and free time to get a first glimpse of this elegant colonial city in northern Peru.

Day 2

Trujillo: Chan Chan, Huacas del Sol y de la Luna, Huanchaco

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for a tour of Chan Chan, the largest adobe city in the Americas and the ancient capital of the Chimú Kingdom. Its decorated walls reveal the high level of political and social organization of this pre-Columbian civilization.

Continue on to the Huacas del Sol and de la Luna, important ceremonial centers of the Mochica culture, famous for their polychrome murals.

Seafood lunch in Huanchaco, a traditional fishing village known for its “caballitos de totora” (reed boats). In the afternoon, tour the historic center of Trujillo: Plaza de Armas, the cathedral, and colonial mansions.

Return to the hotel and dinner.

Day 3

Trujillo / Chiclayo via El Brujo

Early morning departure by road to the El Brujo Archaeological Complex, located on the Pacific coast. This important site is home to the tomb of the famous Lady of Cao, the only known female ruler of ancient Peru. Visit the museum and the ceremonial platforms.

Lunch en route. Continue on to Chiclayo. Upon arrival, visit the central market, particularly the area dedicated to shamans and traditional medicine.

Check in at the hotel and dinner.

Day 4

Chiclayo: Tucumé and the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipán

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to the Tucumé Archaeological Complex, an impressive group of adobe pyramids known as the Valley of the Pyramids. The visit includes the site museum, which provides insight into the religious and political organization of the Lambayeque and Mochica cultures.

Lunch in Lambayeque, featuring regional cuisine.

In the afternoon, visit one of Peru’s most impressive museums: the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum, which houses an extraordinary collection of gold artifacts, jewelry, and ceremonial objects belonging to ancient Mochica rulers.

Return to the hotel and dinner at a restaurant.

Day 5

Chiclayo / Chachapoyas

We’ll set out very early to explore one of the most spectacular routes in northern Peru. The road first crosses the coastal plains and then gradually ascends toward the Andes Mountains, offering views of mountains, deep canyons, and Andean villages.

Little by little, the vegetation becomes denser and more humid, signaling our entry into the cloud forest.

Boxed lunch en route.

Arrival in Chachapoyas, capital of the Amazonas region. Check-in at the hotel and dinner at a restaurant.

Day 6

Kuélap

Breakfast. Early departure for the cable car station, which offers a panoramic ride to the mountaintop.

A day dedicated to exploring Kuélap, one of the greatest archaeological treasures of ancient Peru. This imposing stone fortress, built by the Chachapoya culture, rises to an altitude of over 3,000 meters and overlooks the entire valley.

Lunch at a restaurant. Return to Chachapoyas in the afternoon and free time.

Dinner at a restaurant.

Day 7

Chachapoyas / Tarapoto

We set out by road for a simply spectacular leg of the journey. We gradually leave the Andes behind as we descend toward the Amazon rainforest, passing through cloud forests, deep valleys, and numerous rivers.

The change in landscape and climate is striking: the vegetation becomes lush and the atmosphere distinctly tropical.

Arrival in Tarapoto, transfer, and check-in at the Pumarinri Lodge.

Dinner at the lodge.

Day 8

Rivers, Jungle, and Birdwatching

A day dedicated to exploring the Huallaga and Mayo Rivers. Armed with binoculars and a list of the most common species, we become birdwatchers for a day.

Herons, toucans, kingfishers, and the colorful shansho accompany us during this experience. During the dry season (May through September), the tour begins at the beaches of Pumarinri.

Return to the lodge, dinner, and an evening surrounded by nature.

Day 9

Chasuta: The Jungle of Chocolate and Pottery

Departure for Chasuta, a town located at the transition point between the high jungle and the Amazon. This is where the roads end and river transportation begins.

Visit to Chakra Pasikiwi, where we’ll learn about the process of making artisanal chocolate—from the cacao bean to the final product—through a hands-on workshop. Discover stingless bees and the diversity of fruit and medicinal trees.

In the afternoon, immerse yourself in Chasuta’s cultural identity through the Wasichay museum and workshop, dedicated to ancestral pottery, which has been designated a national heritage site. We’ll learn about the process of shaping, firing, and painting pottery in a setting steeped in natural mysticism.

Return to the lodge and dinner.

Day 10

Tarapoto / Lima

Breakfast at the lodge and a free morning to enjoy the Amazonian surroundings one last time.

Lunch at the lodge. Afterward, transfer to the city of Tarapoto to catch the flight to Lima.

Upon arrival, meet-and-greet and transfer to the hotel located in the Miraflores district.

Day 11

Lima / International Departures

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to explore Lima’s historic center, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Plaza Mayor, Plaza San Martín, and a tour of the Convent of San Francisco.

A traditional lunch featuring the famous Peruvian grilled chicken.

Transfer to Lima International Airport for your international connecting flight.

Inclusiones

Todo lo que necesitas

Transportation

Private vehicles exclusively for transfers and tours, plus traditional boats in the jungle.

Tickets

Full access is included to all archaeological sites (Chan Chan, Huacas), museums, and nature reserves mentioned in the itinerary.

Domestic Flights

Domestic airfare is included for the Lima–Trujillo and Tarapoto–Lima segments.

Meals

Daily breakfasts, themed lunches (seafood in Huanchaco and traditional grilled chicken in Lima), and all dinners included during your stay in the jungle.

Professional Guide

Guided tours led by professional guides who are experts in northern archaeology and specialists in Amazonian biodiversity.

Hotel

Hotel in Trujillo, Tarapoto, Lima All-inclusive lodge in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon.