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Explore Northern Peru & Machu Picchu
16 days, Lima to Lima
Itinerary
Day 1Lima
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.
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.
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.
Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. Check for the meeting time on the welcome note at the hotel. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.
Day 2Lima/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.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Gocta 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.
Gocta Waterfall Excursion
Well-known to local people of the area for centuries, Gocta Falls was unknown to the outside world until 2005. The impressive falls, standing 771m (2156 ft) high are amongst the tallest in the world. Begin at the town of San Pablo de Valera and hike through sugar cane farms and cloud forest to reach the Gocta Falls lookout.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Kuelap 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.
Kuelap Fortified City Guided Tour
Often referred to as 'Machu Picchu of the North', Kuelap pre-dates it's well-known neighbour to the south by 400-600 years. Built by the Chachapoyan people in the sixth century AD, Kuelap was rediscovered in 1843. With over 400 circular buildings perched on top of a mountain, this fortified city is an architectural wonder. Ride up in a cable car for stunning views of the surrounding area.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Sustainable Coffee Farm Experience
Join a local host and expert to visit a family-run sustainable coffee farm. Using an agroforestry system, they produce Café Amazilia, a speciality coffee grown inside the Andean sub-tropical forest, 2,000m (6,562 ft) above sea level. You will discover how a previously deforested area was regrown by planting native tree species around the coffee crops, hearing about pre- and post-harvesting processes and enjoy a tasting of sustainable coffee. After, you'll sit down with your fellow travellers to a delicious lunch featuring locally-sourced ingredients.
Amazilia Ecological Reserve Birdwatching
Home to over 130 different types of hummingbirds and five endemic species the ecological reserve is perfect for birdwatching. Keep your eyes peeled for the spatula-tailed hummingbird.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 5Chachapoyas/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.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 6Chiclayo
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.
Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum (Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán)
Modelled after the pyramids where the 13 tombs were uncovered in the 1980s, the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum houses one of the most impressive collections of pre-Colombian burial artifacts in South America. With no written record of the civilization, the painted pots and artifacts give a glimpse into the height of Moche culture and the fascinating rituals that took place over 1500 years ago.
Lord of Sipán's Tomb
The excavation of the Huaca Rajada complex in 1987 uncovered a series of burial sites from Moche's elite including the Lord of Sipán a Moche warrior priest. His tomb is one of the most decorated tombs found untouched by looters in South America. Complete with gold, ceramics, jewelry, sacrificed animals, and six other people thought to be servants or members of his family.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 7Chiclayo/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.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Dama de Cao Mummy Exhibit
Visit the El Brujo Archaeological Complex where a female Moche mummy coined the Dama de Cao (Lady of Cao) is housed. Discovered in 2006 Dama de Cao was found wrapped in multiple layers of fabric with gold weapons and other fine objects concealed in the different layers. With distinct tattoos covering her arms, burial weaponry typically found with Moche men, and a larger mummy wrapping she is thought to be of high standing in the Moche culture, but her exact title and role remain a mystery.
Trujillo City Tour
Visit the Plaza de Armas and the yellow Trujillo Cathedral originally built in 1647. Continue to explore the city's highlights with a local guide to describe the architecture and history of this coastal city.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Chan 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.
Temple of the Sun and the Moon
Visit the Huacas del Moche made up of the Temple of the Sun (Huaca del Sol) and the Moon (Huaca de la Luna). These adobe brick temples each served a specific purpose for the Moche people that predated the Inca to the south. The larger Temple of the Sun was used for administrative and military purposes and is thought to be made of over 100 million adobe bricks. The Temple of the Moon was a ceremonial temple thought to have been used for religious ceremonies including human sacrifices.
Chan Chan Archaeological Site
Visit the ruins of Chan Chan, the capital of Peru's largest pre-Inca empire, located 5km (3.1 mi) away from the city of Trujillo. Abandoned in the 1470s after the Inca army overran the city, it is now approximately 5,000 acres of eroded adobe.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Lima
Enjoy a free day to explore Lima's capital city.
Optional Activities - Day 9 HideShow
Magic Circuit of Water and Tapas Night
68USD per personExperience nightlife in downtown Lima with the spectacular "Magic Water Circuit" (Circuito Mágico del Agua) show complete with lights, music and dozens of fountains. Enjoy some tapas and take in the sights with a pisco sour in hand. The perfect night out!
Pachacamac and Paso Horse Show
98USD per personDive into Peruvian history and explore a famous temple built in honor of Pachacamac or the "Earth Maker", a powerful figure considered amongst gods and worshiped during the Pre Incan era. After you've got your history fix, head out to enjoy a local lunch and Peruvian dancing. After lunch continue on to see the Peruvian Paso Horse and learn more about this majestic beauty.
Lima City Tour
40USD per personDiscover Lima’s cultural and culinary highlights on this half-day guided tour. Visit the Santo Domingo Monastery, walk around Plaza de Armas, marvel at the Bodega y Quadra Museum, and get to know some of Lima's lovely neighbourhoods. Stop to enjoy some authentic Peruvian tapas and be introduced to Pisco Sours during a demonstration and tasting.
Optional Welcome Meeting for Travellers on Combos
You may be a seasoned pro at group travel by now, but there will likely be some new travellers joining the group. Sit in on the welcome meeting to meet the newest members of your group and learn about the next leg of your tour.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Lima/Urubamba
Board an early flight to Cusco then head to the scenic 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.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Private transfer to the Lima airport to catch a flight to Cusco.
Private Vehicle
Times includes all stops and visits enroute through the Sacred Valley.
Moray Ruins Guided Tour
Explore the ancient site of Moray, which archeologists believe was used to conduct agricultural experiments. Walk down through the great circular terraces and notice how the temperature shifts with the depth – sometimes as much as 15°C (27°F)!
Las Salineras Pre-Incan Salt Pans Guided Tour
Visit the pre-Incan salt pans of Las Salineras – still in use today. Marvel at the terraced pools set amongst the beauty of the Sacred Valley.
Dinner at Huacatay Restaurant
The thousand year-old tradition of pachamanca involves baking an assortment of meat and vegetables in an oven of hot stones, earth, and grass. Meat is usually seasoned with local spices and wrapped in a banana leaf before it’s placed on the hot stones and can include lamb, pork, chicken or guinea pig. Savour this traditional meal prepared by an experienced chef.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 11Urubamba
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.
Private Vehicle
Times includes all stops and visits enroute through the Sacred Valley.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Traditional Andean Experience
In Peru’s Sacred Valley of the Inca, six communities of approximately 6000 indigenous people are working together to preserve over 700 species of potato – a cornerstone of life here. As part of an experience exclusive to National Geographic Journeys travellers – and part of our G Adventures for Good program – visit this area, named “Parque de la Papa” (“Potato Park”), to learn about life in an Andean agricultural community. Walk through the park here with a local guide, dropping by the seed bank (which has direct ties to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway) and then head out to the fields to watch the planting or harvesting process, depending on the season. After, enjoy some of the delicious varieties of potato and visit the small stone hut where traditional weaving takes place. Learn about the natural dyeing process and witness alpaca wool strands being transformed into beautiful textiles through a centuries-old backstrap weaving style. Your visit to this special community means this local enterprise can continue earning an income that supports their development and conservation goals.
Your G for Good Moment: Parque de la Papa (Potato Park)
Parque de la Papa (meaning "Potato Park") serves two important purposes for the community of Pampallacta: the preservation of agricultural biodiversity and economic opportunity. National Geographic Journeys travellers visit the park to learn about life in a rural agricultural Andean community and take a tour of the seed conservation program, which is preserving heritage potato species. They also learn about traditional planting, harvesting and indigenous weaving practices. With G Adventures' support, the community is able to create jobs in the area and invest in local businesses, which helps the community preserve their culture.
Pisac Ruins Guided Tour
Tour the fascinating hilltop citadel of Pisac, an Incan ruin with plunging gorges, a ceremonial centre, and winding agriculture terracing that's still in use today. Be captivated by this truly amazing site sitting amid sweeping green valleys and mountain peaks. Explore the back of the site to see a pocketed cliff across Kitamayo Gorge, which once contained hundreds of Inca tombs.
Your G for Good Moment: Parwa Community Restaurant the Sacred Valley
Contribute to sustainable tourism in Huchuy Qosqo, a small village of 65 families in the Sacred Valley, by eating at the Parwa Community Restaurant. Learn how the resident-run restaurant was kickstarted by G Adventures and the Multilateral Investment Fund, to become a successful farm-to-table program that boosts the local economy and several spin-off microenterprises.
Ollantaytambo Ruins Guided Tour
Tour the town and fortress of Ollantaytambo with a local guide. Take a step back in time at this Inca archaeological site; it still shows signs of its former glory, including agricultural terraces, a Temple Hill, and storehouses. Learn how the area, overlooking the Urubamba River Valley, was an important stronghold during warfare between the Spanish and Incas.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 12Urubamba/Aguas Calientes
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.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Optional Activities - Day 12 HideShow
Butterfly House Visit
Learn about the four stages of a butterfly’s life at this learning centre and breeding project. Observe varied species of butterflies, some unique to the area.
Mandor Gardens Visit
This botanical garden boasts a beautiful waterfall, varied wildlife and lush scenery. Walk along one of the trails and admire the many orchids.
Hot Springs Visit
6USD per personSoak your sore muscles in the local hot springs for which the town, Aguas Calientes, was originally named.
One-Day Inca Trail Hike
Traverse cloud forests while enjoying spectacular views on this 'one-day Inca Trail' trek. Start by disembarking the train at km 104. Follow the local guide as the trail rises steeply up into the mountains and winds past the archaeological sites of Wiñay Wayna and Inti Pata. Gain insight 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. Enjoy free time to explore a bit of Machu Picchu before the guided tour with the group the following day.
After, take one of the blue buses from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes to rejoin the group and spend the night in a hotel in town. Opt to visit nearby hot springs to soak sore muscles, if time permits.
Please note this must be pre-booked as it requires an Inca Trail permit, please speak to your GCO or travel agent for more information.
Machu Picchu Visit
75-120USD per personJust can’t wait to be awestruck? Opt for an independent visit to Machu Picchu before your group tour.
*The cost of this activity will depend on the group size*
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 13Aguas 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.
Local Bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Machu Picchu Guided Tour
Set off with the local guide to explore Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. Learn about the history and gain insights into this massive mountaintop citadel while wandering through ancient dwellings, stone temples and along sculpted terraces. Feel the energy of this 15th-century site, now both a UNESCO World Heritage site and voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide internet poll.
Train
Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 13 HideShow
Inca Bridge Visit
FreeUse any leftover energy from your Machu Picchu hike to visit the Inca Bridge site nearby (thought by some to be a secret back entrance to Machu Picchu). Trek up to the bridge that's cleaving to a 579m (1,900 ft) cliff, and soak in amazing views of cloud forest along the way.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 14Cusco
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 remember that star gazing is completely weather dependent and sometimes there can be cloudy skies.
Please note: if you pre-book the Cusco Cooking Class 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. Return back to your hotel around 16:00.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Cusco Planetarium
Look to the night sky for a different view of the city. Explore the Cusco Planetarium surrounded by the serene nature of the Llaullipata Ecological Reserve. Enjoy a presentation on the southern sky, contemporary astronomy, and the ancient Incas’ relationship with the cosmos. Check out the on-site museum and use the telescopes to admire the stars (weather-permitting).
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Cusco, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like visiting Museo Inka, Museo de Historia Regional, and whitewater rafting. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 14 HideShow
Cusco Cooking Class
Channel your inner chef and get a taste of Peruvian cuisine. Learn all about the essential ingredients, and try your hand at preparing unique Peruvian dishes with a local expert
Cusco City Tour
45PEN per personEnjoy a half-day tour of Cusco's main sights. Walk around the Plaza de Armas (main square) and explore this city steeped in one of the world's most alluring and ancient cultures. Visit Qenqo, Koricancha, the Cathedral, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, and the archaeological site of Sacsaywaman.
Inka Museum
10PEN per personGet ready to explore the artifacts from the Inca Empire, including mummies, jewelry, skulls, and ceramics at this museum of archaeology.
Horseback Riding
150PEN per personHop in the saddle and explore Cusco’s archaeological sites by horseback on a 3.5 hr tour – no previous experience needed. Dress for the weather, and bring sunblock and a hat, just in case.
Whitewater Rafting Urubamba
69USD per personRise for an early morning pick up and drive to Chuquicahuana for a safety briefing. Enjoy a full day of rafting on the Upper Vilcanota River (about 2.5 hrs on the water). Be thrilled by fast rapids that are a constant Class III and IV for around 11km (9 mi), and don’t forget to take in the gorgeous scenery. Rehash all the excitement afterward over a riverside picnic lunch.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 15Cusco/Lima
Fly back to Lima and spend an afternoon in Peru's bustling capital.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Private transfer to the Cusco airport to catch a flight to Lima. Private transfer to the Lima hotel.
Optional Activities - Day 15 HideShow
Lima City Tour
40USD per personDiscover Lima’s cultural and culinary highlights on this half-day guided tour. Visit the Santo Domingo Monastery, walk around Plaza de Armas, marvel at the Bodega y Quadra Museum, and get to know some of Lima's lovely neighbourhoods. Stop to enjoy some authentic Peruvian tapas and be introduced to Pisco Sours during a demonstration and tasting.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 16Lima
Depart at any time.
Your CEO can help arrange an optional transfer to the airport.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.