Trujillo, Chiclayo & Chachapoyas

Trujillo, 325 miles north of Lima, is a colonial city founded in 1534 by Spanish conquistadors. It is the heart of the pre-Inca Mochica and Chimu cultures. Sometimes called the "City of Eternal Spring" because of its year around sunny climate, Trujillo is the home of Chan Chan, an adobe city built by the Chimus. Trujillo houses an excellent collection of Mochica and Chimu ceramics. The Museum is one of Peru's finest. Also worth visiting is the Temple of the Sun and Moon, important religious centers. The city is a colonial jewel and appears much as it did 300 years ago. Also recommended is a visit to the nearby fishing village of Huanchaco, with picturesque old churches. Visit the recently discovered complex of "El Brujo" (the Shaman). There, colorful friezes depict warriors, dancers, and other mystical scenes. Built by the Moche, they are still in restoration. Chiclayo, to the north of Trujillo, is known for its fabulous weaving and ceramics, but more recently associated with the discovery of Simu, the fabulous tomb of the pre-Inca lord. Near Huaca Rajada and Tucume, the 495-acre adobe city is an important archaeological center. The Bruning Museum is home to one of Peru's most important collections of pre-Columbian artifacts. The colorful and bustling "witches market", features a collection of natural medicine herbs and curios, as well as fine artisan handicrafts.

Trujillo Panorama - 2 Days

Day 1 - Lima / Trujillo - Fly to Trujillo and transfer to the hotel. An afternoon city tour features the old colonial mansions and nearby museum.

Day 2 - Trujillo / Lima - Early morning departure from Trujillo to the famous Chan-Chan ruins, site of the greatest adobe city in the world. Visit the old fishing village of Huanchaco, where the ancient "Totora" boats are still in use as they are on Lake Titicaca. Also visit the ruins of Dragon Huaca. Upon your return to Trujillo, transfer to the airport for your departure to Lima.

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Chiclayo & Trujillo Combo - 3 Days

Day 1 - Lima / Chiclayo - Fly to Chiclayo, home of the latest archaeological fine - "Lord of Sipan" - restored and on exhibition at the tomb site. After visiting the museum, return to the Hotel Chiclayo.

Day 2 - Chiclayo / Trujillo - Drive to Trujillo and visit the old colonial mansions, the nearby museum and the Chan-Chan ruins.

Day 3 - Trujillo / Lima - After breakfast, drive to the airport for the return flight to Lima. (This program can also be operated in reverse order).

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In Search Of The Chachapoyas Cloud People - 7 Days

The Chachapoyas in the northern central highlands of Peru are a new doorway to adventure, an entrance to a spectacular world of lost civilizations and ancient ruins. Snow-capped volcanoes and glacier mountain peaks barricade the Chachapoyas to the south. River gorges cut the Andes Mountains parallel to the Chachapoyas on the west. The Amazon jungle lands push to the east and north boundaries of the Chachapoyas region. Even our modern-day geographical boundaries isolate the Chachapoyas region. Within these highland forests lie an extensive system of archaeological ruins dating back to one of the least known, yet one of the most advanced pre-Columbian cultures of South America. Recent archaeological discoveries, notably the pre-Inca mummies discovered in the Laguna de Los Condores, have set the pace for adventurous travelers to visit the Chachapoyas.

Day 1 - Trujillo / Cajamarca - Depart from Trujillo by car for Cajamarca, a beautiful colonial city. Enjoy a tour of the city and its most important sites. Overnight at the remarkable Hotel Laguna Seca where the rooms have antique furnishings, and huge bathtubs.

Day 2 - Cajamarca / Celendin - Visit the Ventamillas de Otuzco, a pre-Inca cemetery that features a gallery of secondary burial niches. After lunch, drive to Celendin, three hours from Cajamarca. Overnight at a simple local hotel.

Day 3 - Celendin / Leimebamba - Drive to Leimebamba crossing two cordilleras, several different habitats and the Maranon Canyon. The Maranon River forms one of the world's deepest canyons, and you will descend through different ecosystems from over 10,000 feet in altitude to the town of Balsas at 4,000 ft. After crossing the river, ascend back up to nearly 10,000 ft. Visit the museum of Leimebamba, with its pre-Inca mummies. Overnight at the Leimebamba Hotel.

Day 4 - Leimebamba / Kuelap / Chachapoyas - Morning visit to Kuelap, a spectacular pre-Inca walled city hidden atop a precipitous mountain. Although Kuelap was discovered 60 years before Machu Picchu, it is not as well known to the outside world. Nevertheless, recent discoveries have captured the attention of archaeologists from the world over. Continue to Chachapoyas and the Hotel Gran Vilaya.

Day 5 - Chachapoyas - Drive to Cruz Pata, where a two hour walk brings you to Karajia and the sarcophagi built into a cliff on the side of a mountain. Return to Chachapoyas.

Day 6 - Chachapoyas / Trujillo - After breakfast, take a charter flight to Trujillo. Drive to Trujillo and visit the old colonial mansions, the nearby museum and the Chan-Chan ruins.

Day 7 - Trujillo / Lima - Drive to the airport for the flight to Lima.

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