2-week itinerary in Northern Peru between ocean and Amazon rainforest

You like taking your time ? You don’t want to feel rushed during your trip ? You like combining relaxing on white-sand beaches and going on adventures in the abundant jungle ? 🌞
This itinerary is then made for you ! Discover the Pacific North Coast of Peru, dive in vibrant blue water or tan under a warm sun. Get far from civilisation and go on adventures in the Amazon Rainforest, discovering a wonderful world. Go for an unforgettable trip by plane, bus and boat ! 😍

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.

To get to Iquitos, instead of a 2-day container ship cruise, you could also get on a plane. 

Itinerary of this two weeks in Nothern Peru

Piura > Chiclayo > Tarapoto > Yurimaguas > Iquitos

🚗 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 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 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 Tarapoto ?

A city named like a palm tree, front door to the beautiful Amazon. 

• Explore this small city’s center : its Plaza de Armas, its local market with 34 stands selling local crafsmen’s works, its showroom, the region’s environment and heritage.
• Want to feel like Mike Horn ? Head to Suchiche Park, the large lagoon where the Suchiche tribe used to live.

What to do in Yurimaguas ?

The front door to the Amazon Rainforest. 

• Get in true wild nature by going to Lake Cuipari. Go on a 2 hour boat ride to Yurimaguas where you can swim surrounded by piranhas (just kidding), walk through the jungle or simply soak the Amazonian atmosphere in.
• In the city’s port, get on a container/passenger ship for a 2 day trip to Iquitos, THE Amazonian city of Peru ! Book a cabin with beds (but beware of the heat !) or sleep on a hammock (enjoy the fresh breeze).

What to do in Iquitos ?

First destination of the Peruvian jungle.

• Have lunch in an iron house built at the end of the 19th century in Europe ! It was brought to Peru, through the jungle piece by piece !
• You love lepidopterology ? You’ll be glad to be in Iquitos where you will find one of the best butterfly farm in South America !
• I’m sure when you were a kid you asked your parents for a manatee … but they never said yes, did they ? Well now’s the time to get to meet one ! The Amazon rescue center is the home to those unique mammals where you can even bottle-feed the babies. A unique experience to tell your friends and family when you get back home !
• Big fan of Planet of the Apes ? Take the boat to Monkey Island, an island home to over 9 monkeys species !
• If you prefer humans to monkeys (to each their own !), go meet the Yaguas Indigenous, a couple minute boat ride away from Iquitos.
• You’ve always dreamed of living on water ? Perfect ! Have you ever heard of Belen ? It is a floating village !
• You thought you’d never try any drugs ? (Good, drugs are bad !) Well you might have to try Ayahuasca, a powerful potion that will take you on a deep psychedelic trip. So ? Are you up for this ?

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 !