Northern Peru’s Pre Inca Civilisations

• Off the beaten track and little visited sites
• Leading archaeologists to accompany you
• Optional extension to Machu Pichu and Cuzco

Please note this tour has been cancelled for 2013.

From the massive Moche cities and pyramids of the desert coast to vast fortresses in the highlands, Northern Peru offers some of the greatest archaeological treasures in the Americas and fascinating insights into pre-Inca cultures. Explore many of these important new sites, gaining firsthand interpretations from the on-site archaeologists who will guide you.

Day 1  London/ Lima - Fly overnight to Lima.

Day 2  Lima - Tour colonial Lima and the National Museum of Archaeology.

Day 3  Lima - Visit the private Larco Herrera Museum, the largest private collection of Pre-Colombian art in the world, with the museum’s chief curator.

Day 4  Caral – Day trip north to Caral, the most ancient city in the Americas, dating from 2600 BC.

Day 5  Lima, Trujillo – Early flight to Trujillo with a tour of colonial Trujillo and the Moche Valley, including the huge Temples of the Sun and Moon. Afternoon  visit to the ancient adobe city of Chan Chan.

Day 6  Trujillo, Cajamarca - Depart for Cajamarca visiting the UNESCO Huaca Dragon and El Brujo Complex, including the Cao Museum en route.

Day 7  Cajamarca - Morning tour of Cajamarca, where the Inca Emperor Atahualpa was held hostage by Conquistador Francisco Pizarro, precipitating the end of the Inca civilisation.

Day 8  Cajamarca, Leymebamba - A stunning drive to Leymebamba with a chance to sample local ingredients and see hummingbirds at Kenticafe.

Day 9  Leymebamba, Revash - See over 200 mummies at Leymebamba museum before visiting the necropolis at Revash, a spectacular mountain funerary site.

Day 10  Kuelap - Explore the Chacahpoyan fortified ceremonial city set in the cloud forest, considered Northern Peru’s Machu Picchu. Explore the Macro towers en route to Chachapoyas.

Day 11  Karajia, Huancas - Visit the ancient cliff burials at Karajia, Sonche Canyon and the town of Huancas.

Day 12  Gocta - A day trip to Gocta falls, the world’s third highest waterfall at 2,531 feet.

Day 13  Jaen, Chiclayo – Drive to Chiclayo,explore the vast archaeological site of Tucume en route.

Day 14  Chiclayo – Morning to the National Sanctuary Bosque de Pomac for the most important pyramids of the Sipan culture. Afternoon visit to the Sipan National Museum housing countless exquisite relics from the Sipan civilisation.

Day 15  Chiclayo - See the oldest wall paintings in the Americas at the Ventarron temple and meet archaeologist Dr Walter Alva who discovered the Lord of Sipan. Visit the Royal Tombs Museum of Sipan containing the greatest intact discovery of gold artefacts in the Americas.

Day 16  Chiclayo, Lima/ London - Fly to Lima and explore Miraflores. Overnight flight to London.

Day 17  London – Arrive in London.

Roger Peter

Roger Peter was born in Germany and has spent some 23 years living and studying in South America. With a BA in International Tourism Management and his incredible knowledge of the north he runs a travel agency called Peruvian Treks and Treasures and is one of the pioneers operating in the Chachapoyas area. 

He is a hobby archaeologist specialising in Chachapoyas, Lambayeque, Chimu and Moche cultures. Roger has 15 years experience in archaeology travels and is a tourism consultant for community based tourism.