2 weeks in surprising Northern Peru

You don’t to things like the others and prefer off-beaten tracks factions ? You love discovering new cultures ? As well as stunning sceneries ?
Then this itinerary is made for you ! Discover the underrated Northern Peru and its diversity, traveling by plane or bus.

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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.

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Itinerary details

 

 

The itinerary : step by step

 

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Lima

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.

 

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Chiclayo

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 ».

 

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Chachapoyas

What to do in Chachapoyas ?

Small and calm city, starting point of your hikes to two of the most spectacular places in Peru. 

• New York Times elected this site as one of the 52 places to go see in 2018, do no miss the Kuélap ruins . Surrounded by a 600m / 1970ft long and 20m / 65 ft tall wall, this site consists of several areas and used to be the home to 3500 people in the year 500. Explore this fortress and its tropical vegetation, overlooking the valley. You will get to feel its unique atmosphere. And getting up there is easy thanks to the lifts (relieved aren’t you ?). Appreciate a gorgeous view !
• You like wild nature more than old rocks ? You will love this ! About half a day of hiking away (3h round trip) from Chachapoyas, discover one the tallest waterfalls in the world : Gocta Cataracts. Until very recently, only the locals knew about this waterfall, so enjoy the calm before mass tourisms gets there.

 

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Leimebamba

What to do in Leimebamba ?

A small town with an extraordinary museum in the middle of the Peruvian jungle. 

• You used to dress as a mummy for Halloween when you were a kid (or still do ?) ? Then head to Leimebamba Museum, also called the « Mummy museum ». Live an intense and unforgettable experience, especially when discovering the room with over 200 mummies squatted down in their sarcophagus with their skin and hair in perfect condition. You will also get to see poteries, clothes and ancient objects.
• If you like hiking, this city is the perfect starting point ! Go for a 1 to 5 day hike in this stunning region. .

 

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Cajamarca

What to do in Cajamarca ?

A small city in the Andes with old colonial buildings and green grass, surrounded by mountains. 

• Explore Cajamarca’s historic center  : Santa Apolinia hill , the cathedral, San Francisco church and the city’s most important colonial building : Belén.
• Outside of the city, head to Cumbe Mayo or « Stone forest» and its pre-inca aqueduct. You will realize that these canals are over 3000 years old !

 

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Trujillo

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 ».

 

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