Northern Peru

Pre-Inca civilizations and snowcapped peaks side by side: the ancient city of Chan Chan near Trujillo, the Cordillera Blanca near Huaraz, the Kuélap fortress and the northern surf coast.

This region follows the Peruvian travel convention of the "North" and, taken by whole regions, comprises seven: Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Cajamarca, Amazonas and Áncash, covering the northern coast, the northern highlands and the Cordillera Blanca. It sees far fewer visitors than the south, yet its archaeological sites and natural scenery are outstanding. Highlights: near Trujillo are Chan Chan, the largest adobe city in the world (a World Heritage Site), the Huacas del Sol y de la Luna, and Huanchaco, known for its traditional reed boats and surfing. Around Chiclayo, the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipán and the Túcume pyramids showcase the Moche and Lambayeque cultures. In Áncash, Huaraz is South America's hub for high-altitude trekking; the Cordillera Blanca holds Huascarán, Peru's highest peak, and offers a day hike to Laguna 69 or the 4-day Santa Cruz Trek, with the Chavín de Huántar ruins nearby. In the Amazonas region, Chachapoyas has the cloud fortress of Kuélap (reachable by cable car) and Gocta Falls. Cajamarca is where Atahualpa, the last Inca emperor, was captured. Máncora, Chicama and other spots on the northern coast are surf and sunny-beach destinations. We suggest 3–5 days in Huaraz (allowing for acclimatization), 3–4 days in Trujillo and Chiclayo, and 3 days in Chachapoyas. You can fly from Lima to Trujillo, Chiclayo, Piura, Cajamarca and other cities, or take overnight buses; Huaraz is about 8 hours from Lima by bus. Watch for altitude sickness in high-elevation areas.

Destinations

Itineraries