Northern Wander
cost
From EUR €1130
departure
Daily
duration
7 Days
locations
Chachapoyas, Chiclayo, Kuelap, Karajia, Revash
Peru is known as the "Egypt of the Americas" on account of the wealth of its archaeology and with this tour you will visit fascinating, little known ruins of powerful pre - Incan cultures in Northern Peru, including the mighty Kuelap fortress.
For the serious traveller, this is a tour not to be missed.
Day 01: Trujillo – Chiclayo
On arrival at Chiclayo airport or bus station, we welcome you and transfer you to your accommodation.
This afternoon, we drive to Lambayeque to visit the Tumbas Reales Museum, a modern building inspired by the architecture and designs of the Moche culture it celebrates, and arguably the best museum in Peru. It aims to recreate the atmosphere of a Moche temple, serving as a mausoleum for the Lord of Sipán and his companions, as well as a museum.
(NB. This visit can be done on Day 7, prior to your departure, depending on your schedule)
Overnight in Chiclayo.
Day 02: Chiclayo – Chachapoyas: Private: Lunch
In the morning, we transfer you by private transport from Chiclayo to Chachapoyas, a journey of some 9 hours, climbing from the coastal desert into the Andes, descending to the Marion River, via the Utcubamba Canyon, and finally arriving in the high jungle town of Chachapoyas where the hotel is located.
Overnight in Chachapoyas.
Day 03: Chachapoyas – Utcubamba: Karajia: Private: All meals
This morning, we drive NW from Chachapoyas to the village of Cruz Pata, where we will leave our vehicle and hike downhill to Karajia. These striking sarcophagi, sculptured as human effigies, once held the corpses of the elite members of Chachapoya society and have become an icon of the area: for 750 years, they have looked towards the rising sun.
Returning to our transport we drive to our accommodation in the Utcubamba Valley, with stops along the way to observe other tomb sites.
Day 04: Utcubamba: Revash & Leymebamba Museum: Private: All meals
In the morning, we drive to Yerbabuena from where we walk for two hours for a close-up view of the spectacularly colourful funerary complex of Revash. This extremely photogenic site is perched on a yellow cliff and the tombs are like mini houses with red pictographs dating back to 1200 AD.
After lunch, we continue to Leymebamba to visit the new museum housing the 219 mummies found at a nearby lake in 1997.
Later in the afternoon, we return to our accommodation in the Utucbamba Valley.
Day 5: Kuelap: Private: Lunch
To get the best opportunity for photography we leave the lodge early to drive to the Chachapoya fortress of Kuelap. The towering walls and hundreds of roundhouses, encircled by cloud forest, at 3,000m (9,900 ft) above sea level always amaze first-time visitors.
We'll explore the many ceremonial constructions and aqueducts as a group, but with plenty of opportunities to wander on you own.
We then return by private transport to Chachapoyas, soaking up the scenery ... made all the more atmospheric by the setting sun.
Overnight in Chachapoyas.
Day 6: Chachapoyas – Chiclayo: Private: Lunch
This morning, we depart Chachapoyas in a private vehicle, to return to Chiclayo.
Late afternoon arrival and transfer to selected hotel.
Day 7: Chiclayo: Departure
After breakfast, we transfer to Chiclayo Airport or bus station for your onward journey.
END OF OUR SERVICES
For more of Peru's rich, coastal culture, why not combine this tour with our Chan Chan & Trujillo tour. Or spend some beach time in Mancora, in the far north, with our Peru Beach Break.

For the serious traveller, this is a tour not to be missed.
Day 01: Trujillo – Chiclayo
On arrival at Chiclayo airport or bus station, we welcome you and transfer you to your accommodation.
This afternoon, we drive to Lambayeque to visit the Tumbas Reales Museum, a modern building inspired by the architecture and designs of the Moche culture it celebrates, and arguably the best museum in Peru. It aims to recreate the atmosphere of a Moche temple, serving as a mausoleum for the Lord of Sipán and his companions, as well as a museum.
(NB. This visit can be done on Day 7, prior to your departure, depending on your schedule)
Overnight in Chiclayo.
Day 02: Chiclayo – Chachapoyas: Private: Lunch
In the morning, we transfer you by private transport from Chiclayo to Chachapoyas, a journey of some 9 hours, climbing from the coastal desert into the Andes, descending to the Marion River, via the Utcubamba Canyon, and finally arriving in the high jungle town of Chachapoyas where the hotel is located.
Overnight in Chachapoyas.
Day 03: Chachapoyas – Utcubamba: Karajia: Private: All meals
This morning, we drive NW from Chachapoyas to the village of Cruz Pata, where we will leave our vehicle and hike downhill to Karajia. These striking sarcophagi, sculptured as human effigies, once held the corpses of the elite members of Chachapoya society and have become an icon of the area: for 750 years, they have looked towards the rising sun.
Returning to our transport we drive to our accommodation in the Utcubamba Valley, with stops along the way to observe other tomb sites.
Day 04: Utcubamba: Revash & Leymebamba Museum: Private: All meals
In the morning, we drive to Yerbabuena from where we walk for two hours for a close-up view of the spectacularly colourful funerary complex of Revash. This extremely photogenic site is perched on a yellow cliff and the tombs are like mini houses with red pictographs dating back to 1200 AD.
After lunch, we continue to Leymebamba to visit the new museum housing the 219 mummies found at a nearby lake in 1997.
Later in the afternoon, we return to our accommodation in the Utucbamba Valley.
Day 5: Kuelap: Private: Lunch
To get the best opportunity for photography we leave the lodge early to drive to the Chachapoya fortress of Kuelap. The towering walls and hundreds of roundhouses, encircled by cloud forest, at 3,000m (9,900 ft) above sea level always amaze first-time visitors.
We'll explore the many ceremonial constructions and aqueducts as a group, but with plenty of opportunities to wander on you own.
We then return by private transport to Chachapoyas, soaking up the scenery ... made all the more atmospheric by the setting sun.
Overnight in Chachapoyas.
Day 6: Chachapoyas – Chiclayo: Private: Lunch
This morning, we depart Chachapoyas in a private vehicle, to return to Chiclayo.
Late afternoon arrival and transfer to selected hotel.
Day 7: Chiclayo: Departure
After breakfast, we transfer to Chiclayo Airport or bus station for your onward journey.
END OF OUR SERVICES
For more of Peru's rich, coastal culture, why not combine this tour with our Chan Chan & Trujillo tour. Or spend some beach time in Mancora, in the far north, with our Peru Beach Break.
| Northern Wander: Fast Facts | |
| Accommodation | Tourist Class Hotels |
| Inclusions | Accommodation All sightseeing Airport transfers Breakfast in hotels Other meals where stated Entrances Permits Transportation Tour Guides |
| Difficulty Rating | 2 (Low Level Fitness required). |
| Sustainability | Renewable energy used at hotels Local foods used on tour Local, English-speaking guides used (most University educated). Carbon offsets not available for this tour. |
| Single Surcharge | US $250 (or other currency equivalent) |
| Notes | This tour is only available with private services. |
| Price Dependent on: | Availability Flight schedule |












