1-week itinerary in Northern Peru along the ocean

You never do things like the others and love to go off-beaten tracks ? You want to explore buildings over 5000 years old ? Climb up the stairs of Mochica pyramids ? You also love the ocean and surfing ? You’d love to see crocodiles ? Youhave one week of action to plan ?
You will love this itinerary ! Discover the North coast of Peru by plane and bus. 😍

Do not take what Google Maps calculated in account : plane, bus and train trip length are not correct. To book and estimate your itinerary on : https://www.busbud.com for busses, https://www.skyscanner.fr for flights.

Itinerary of this one week in Nothern Peru

Lima > Trujilo > Chiclayo > Piura > Mancora > Tumbes

🚗 We recommend for this itinerary to rent a car from Hertz. , It’s possible to rent it in one city and return it in another without exorbitant prices and limiting hidden costs.

📗 You want to buy a paper travel guide ? We recommend this one ! In our opinion, it is the most complete, the most visual and the most up to date !

🗺 Need a road map to prepare your itinerary ? We recommend this one, the most detailed and the most pleasant to read !

The itinerary : step by step

What to do in Lima ?

Peruvian capital and « City of the Kings ».

• Head to Lima’s historic center, go to Plaza de Armas also called Plaza Mayor and observe the colonial fountain, the Palacio de Gobierno, and the guard changing (at noon) or the capital’s Cathedral.
• Tired of the busy atmosphere ? Step in San Francisco Monastery, a true oasis of calm with a baroque architecture beautifully preserved. For a Harry Potter-y atmosphere, be sure to go to the monastery’s library. Want a more unique tour ? Go to the catacombs, down under the monastery where lie over 75 000 skeletons !
• Plan the next steps of your trip by learning about the Peruvian history in one of Lima’s many museum : Museo de la Nación, Museo Nacional de Arqueología, Antropología e Historia del Perú, Museo Taurino…
• If you want to start exploring historic Peruvian sites, don’t leave Lima ! First go to Huaca Pacllana, a large brick pyramid built in year 300.
• Love panoramic vie ? Head to the top of Cerro San Cristóbal hill in the North-East of the city and get a stunning view over Lima and the ocean.

What to do in Trujillo ?

A lovely colonial city of « eternal spring ».

• Enjoy the perfect weather, walk through the city streets and enjoy the touristic sites of Trujillo : its cathedrall, its colonial houses and its Plaza Mayor.
• Do not miss Chan Chan in Trujillo’s surroundings. This archeological site used to be the largest city in America (North and South !) before Christopher Columbus ! With 12 00km2 / 12 9166 sqft, it has 9 fortresses, sacred temples, storage buildings and stores ! Imagine what life was like for the 100 000 people who used to live here !
• Not very far, head to El Brujo, a fortress with pyramids. One of which holds a mummified tattooed witch (she was supposed to be one of Peru’s leaders). Her name is « Dame de Cao ».

What to do in Chiclayo ?

City with archeological gems surrounded by sand dunes deserts and sandstone cliffs. 

• Stroll around Mercado Modelo, a famous market where you will find everything you can imagine : food, clothes, pans, beers and witches … Yes that’s right, witches.
• Fascinated by cemeteries ? Go to the impressive necropolis of Huaca Rajada, a funeral center from the mochica culture.
• Do not miss the Señores de Sipán Mausoleum, from the 3rd and 5th century.
• Because we know you love to learn more about the local funeral culture, go visit the Tumba Reales museum, which has an interesting collections of jewels found in coffins.
• Do not leave without going to the archeological site of Túcume, also called « The Pyramid Valley ».

What to do in Piura ?

A city with colonial architecture with lovely squares, green parks and beautiful beaches. 

• In Piura’s historic center, visit Plaza de las Tres Culturas and its monument to Francisco Pizarro González, founder of  Lima and conqueror of the Inca Empire. Be sure to also explore Plaza de Miguel Cortes, where the city’s celebrations are held. Enjoy the gardes and trials where you will get to unwind in the shadow.
• The beaches surrounding the city will surely please you ! If you like surfing, go to Nunura beach. If you prefer sun bathing on the sand, go to Colan beach. This beach is endless !
• If none of these are for you, go explore Bosque de Cuyas near Ayabaca. This huge « cloudy forest » of over 600 ha is on the West side of the Andes. Get you camera out and take pictures of the 150 different species of birds flying over your head.

What to do in  Máncora ?

A small seaside city, the sunniest in Peru. Between the ocean and the desert.

• This is THE place to relax and enjoy life. Discover the local cuisine : fish fresh out of the ocean, while enjoying the view of the ocean and green palm trees.
• Be sure to go to Pocitas beach, it is supposed to be Peru’s most beautiful beach.
• If this isn’t enough for you, go kite surfing or surfing ! Not tired yet ? 40min away from Mancora, go for a mud bath and let your skin get smoother in the hot springs.

What to do in Tumbes ?

A city of nature : white-sand beaches, estuaries and mangroves. 

• Beach lovers, you are in the right place ! Don’t hésitera getting away from the city to discover Zorritos beach, 27 km / 17 miles away from Tumbes. Enjoy a white-sand beach and a warm (26°C/80°F) water.
• Because we know lying on the beach is not the only important thing, go explore Tumbes city center : Plaza Mayor, Mother Church of San Nicolas de Tolentino, Jérusalem walk (a trail through beautiful wall paintings depicting Jesus Christ’s life, ending with a giant statue of him). Do not miss the Old Cabildo, an old house of 620 m2 / l6670 sqft, cultural heritage of the region.
• It is now time for you to meet mosquitos, cordiales and other exotic wildlife. It’s worth it, you’ll see ! Go discover Puerto Pizzaro, 13 km / 8 miles  North of Tumbes, a small fishermen’s village at the heart of the mangrove. Get on about and follow the guide through islands, forets and rivers. Taste local shellfish (they are supposed to have aphrodisiac verities …). Visit the interpretation center and meet a crocodile species that only lives in Peru !

To learning more…

• You want to know all the information about the country ? it’s here.
• Then, to rent a car at the best price, we advise you this website.
• Finally, to book a flight at the best price, we advise you this website.

If you have any information, good tips, or simply a comment about this itinerary, please don’t hesitate to leave us a comment at the bottom of the page! The whole team will be happy to hear from you !