Peru: Lost Treasures Of The Cloud Warriors

Peru: Lost Treasures Of The Cloud Warriors

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13 Days From

$4111

$3916

Peru: Lost Treasures Of The Cloud Warriors

13 Days

Visiting: Lima, Trujillo, Chaparri Lodge, Chiclayo, Chachapoyas, Sarcofagos de Karajia, Gocta Waterfall, Chillo, Fortaleza de Kuelap, Mausoleos de Revash, Leimebamba, Cajamarca

Tour operator:

Wild Frontiers

Tour code:

PER

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 12

Physical rating:

Low, Low / Moderate

Age range:

1-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Please contact Wild Frontiers with any specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural

Private Available:

Request A Private Tour

From: $4111 $3916 Travel Club discount: -$195

NB: Prices correct on 22-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

In the north of Peru, far away from the country’s most famous attraction - Machu Picchu - can be found an amazing collection of pre-Columbian sites which are amongst some of the most fascinating and little-known in the entire Americas. For not only were these the lands of the Inca, they were also home to the Moche, the Chimu and the cloud warriors of Chachapoyas.

This astonishing odyssey into Peru’s ancient past takes us high up into the Northern Highlands, where the awesome mountain fortress of Kuelap lies shrouded in myth. Travelling through an incredible variety of landscapes from coastal deserts to cloud forests and high Andean mountains, there’ll be ample opportunities for mixing with the locals. In addition we’ll explore the recently discovered cascades of the Gocta Falls - the third highest in the world! - adding to this unique and unforgettable adventure to the very heart of Peru’s ancient legacy.

Highlights

  • Explore the northern Peru’s lesser-known ruins including Chan Chan, the largest pre-Columbian city

  • Look out for spectacled bears and Andean condors at the private Chaparrí reserve

  • Delve into the northern highlands, once home to the legendary ‘cloud people’ and explore Gocta Falls

  • Visit pre-Incan Kuelap, the once formidable city of the pre-Columbian Chachapoyans

  • Reflect in colonial Cajamarca where the Spanish finally overthrew the Inca Empire

  • Uncover remote ruins around Chachapoyas such as Revash, neatly tucked away in a mountain ridge

Places You'll See

Lima

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Tour Starts In Trujillo

Location: Lima

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Casa Andina Standard – Trujillo Plaza or similar

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Home to the cultural remains of the Chimu and Moche civilisations and the largest adobe pyramids in Peru, our tour begins in the archaeological gem that is Trujillo. We will hit the ground running today with a visit to the Sun and the Moon pyramids, towering testaments to one of the most remarkable pre-Inca cultures in the Americas. The Huaca del Sol was once the largest man-made structure in the western hemisphere, reaching a height of over 45 metres. Its neighbour, the smaller Huaca de la Luna was considered to be a ‘religious pyramid’ and the recent discovery of over 6,000 square metres of murals and reliefs provide an incredible legacy to a culture that died out over 1200 years ago. Later we visit the impressive Chimu ruins of Chan Chan. The remains of Chan Chan are far and away the most extensive of Trujillo’s archaeological ruins. This once great imperial city covers an area of some 28 square kilometres and, at its hiatus, was the largest adobe city on the planet. Today the nine-metre-high perimeter walls encircle the crumbling remains of palaces and temples, workshops and gardens that once lay at the heart of an empire that stretched along the coast for over 1,000 kilometres.

Day 2: In & Around Trujillo

Location: Trujillo, Lima

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Casa Andina Standard – Trujillo Plaza or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Just to the north of Trujillo lies El Brujo, an impressive Moche site where a tattooed priestess was found several years ago. The Moche people were master craftsmen, whose pottery is still considered amongst the finest ever created by the ancient Peruvian civilisations. After exploring the grounds and visiting the excellent onsite museum, we will return to Trujillo for lunch. This afternoon you will have the option to take a city tour before spending the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 3: Drive To Chaparrí

Location: Trujillo

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Chaparri Ecolodge or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we head north along the Panamerican Highway to the city of Chiclayo. After lunch we head west to the entrance of the Chaparri Reserve: a private conservation area of 34,412 hectares that is a haven for Andean bears and condors. On arrival if time allows we will take a short walk to soak up the local atmosphere. Driving distance 290km, 6 hours approx.

Day 4: Chaparrí - Chiclayo

Location: Chaparri Lodge

Accommodation: Lodge

Accommodation Name: Sunec Hotel or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Largely dominated by sparse dry forest and semi-desert, this remote setting is the first privately owned reserve in the country. Run by the local community, this natural paradise is home to a wide variety of animal and birdlife including many species that are endemic to the Tumbesian dry forests. These include the Andean or spectacled bear (think Paddington Bear!), the guanaco and the Andean condor. Indeed, Chaparrí can boast the only dedicated Andean Bear Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Peru, which comprises a specially designed facility that is currently home to several bears. Later we drive on to the city of Chiclayo, our base for the next two nights.

Day 5: In & Around Chiclayo

Location: Chiclayo, Chaparri Lodge

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Sunec Hotel or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Chiclayo began life as a rural community, founded by Spanish priests in the 1560s. Since then it has grown to be a major northern hub, lying at the centre of the country’s rice and sugar cane production. Today the town enjoys the benefits of a wonderfully ornate colonial heritage and a quite spectacular archaeological pedigree. In the morning we shall visit Ventarron – an astonishing small temple complex where construction started in 4000BC. One can see the oldest murals in the Americas that were painted around 2500BC. Then we carry on to Sipan (Huaca Rajada is the preferred name now) which lies some 35 kilometres to the south-east of the town to see the twin pyramid complex and Moche tombs. After lunch there is time to see the Royal Tombs Museum in Lambayeque which houses what is considered by many to be amongst the best examples of pre-Columbian art ever found. We return to Chiclayo later in the afternoon.

Day 6: Chiclayo - Gocta Falls

Location: Chiclayo

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Gocta Lodge or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we have a long, but diverse, drive from Chiclayo to the Chachapoyas area - crossing both the coastal desert plain and the Pacific/ Atlantic watershed at the lowest point of the Peruvian Andes. We then descend a dry hot valley which flows into the Marañon valley - a major tributary of the Amazon. After crossing the Marañon, we ascend the Utcubamba Valley - initially passing rice paddies, before entering a steep-sided forested canyon. Taking a side valley at Cocahuayco, we drive up to our hotel at Cocachimba, with views of Gocta Falls from each room. Driving distance 415km, 10-11 hours approx.

Day 7: Gocta Falls

Location: Chiclayo, Chachapoyas

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Gocta Lodge or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast we start our trek to the waterfall of Gocta, tracing the valley through sugar cane fields and into a forest that is home to the yellow-tailed woolly monkey, sloth and the magnificent cock-of-the-rock. Though known for many years, it was only recently measured in 2006 and found to be one of the highest in the world. It has a total drop of 771 metres over two falls. With glimpses of the waterfall along the way, we arrive at the base of the tallest fall in around two and a half hours. Those brave enough may want a dip in the pool at the base! We'll then have plenty of time to enjoy the gardens, pool and terraces at our idyllic lodge.

*Approx. hiking time time: 4-5 hours

Day 8: Gocta Falls - Chachapoyas

Location: Sarcofagos de Karajia, Chachapoyas

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: La Xalca Hotel or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we drive down to the Utcubamba Valley and cross over to the neighbouring Province of Luya. From the town of Luya we drive on to the village of Cruz Pata, where a short walk takes us down to the Sarcophagi of Karajia. These striking figures, sculptured like humans have become the icon of the area. For 750 years they have looked towards the rising sun and undoubtedly are the resting place for some elite members of Chachapoya or 'Warriors of the Clouds'.  The Chachapoyan Empire can be dated back to around 500AD, spreading across the Eastern Andes and developing major urban centres like Kuelap and Gran Pajaten, before finally being incorporated into the Incan Empire during the late 15th century. To date, there have been hundreds of sites discovered throughout the region and it is believed there are still ‘lost’ cities to be discovered. One leading author describes the area as ‘...overwhelming Machu Picchu in grandeur and mystery’.  Next we venture on to the village of Huancas – a village locally famous for its rustic ceramics made by the women. Close to the village is the impressive 1000m deep Sonche Canyon.  Our final destination for today is Chachapoyas, an important trading city that once lay at the crossroads between the coast and the jungle.

Day 9: Chachapoyas - Kuelap - Chillo

Location: Chachapoyas, Gocta Waterfall, Chachapoyas

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel El Chillo or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rediscovered in 1843, the spectacular pre-Incan fortress of Kuelap sits on a ridge overlooking the Utcubamba Valley. Begun during the 7th century, it is thought to have been under continuous construction spanning several hundred years until it's abandonment shortly after the Spanish conquest. Sprawled across the mountain summit and measuring over a kilometre in length, the site is considered one of the finest examples of Chachapoyan architecture left in the country, its formidable walls rising up to some 17 metres to protect the some 400 stone, cylindrical buildings within. By the time the Incas arrived in the 1470s, Kuelap had become little more than an isolated mountain fortress, but in its day it had been one of the most formidable pre-Columbian cities in the Americas. After visiting the site we continue on to Chillo and our overnight accommodation in the heart of the Utcubamba Canyon.

*Please note sections of the interior of Kuelap are closed off for
restoration, so it may not be possible to see all of the interior.  Should time allow, we will head down the valley to another Chachapoyas settlement called Macro. Although smaller than Kuelap, arguably the walls are better made and we’ll have the opportunity to see the decorative stonework up close. To get to the site, we will walk for 30 minutes along a good trail with views of the river and surrounding cacti.

Day 10: Chillo - Revash - Leymebamba

Location: Chillo, Fortaleza de Kuelap, Chachapoyas

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: La Casona de Leymebamba or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we pay a visit to the ruins of Revash and the pleasant town of Leymebamba, home to the Museo Leymebamba and the mummies of the Laguna de los Cóndores. The mausoleums at Revash date back to the middle years of the 13th century and lie amongst the calcareous rock formations of the Cerro Carbón, to the south of Chachapoyas. The walk up to the ruins takes us up along a trailing mountain path that climbs up to these impressive painted adobe houses and cave paintings. After our visit we then drive on to the town of Leymebamba, where we visit its stunning collection of over 200 mummies that were excavated from the late Inca burial grounds that once lay to the south.

Day 11: Leymebamba - Cajamarca

Location: Mausoleos de Revash, Chillo, Leimebamba

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Portal de Marques or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

The beautiful colonial town of Cajamarca lies to the south-west of us, across a landscape of wide canyons and mountain valleys. Set on the edge of a lush valley, in the heart of Peru’s dairy country, the town once lay at the centre of the Cajamarca culture (500-1000 AD), before being turned into an important Inca religious settlement. Its charming colonial centre belies the fact that this town is steeped in the blood of the Incas, being the spot where that once great empire came to a final, bloody end at the Battle of Cajamarca. It was here, in November 1532, that Francisco Pizarro launched a surprise attack on the entourage of the Inca Emperor, Atahualpa, capturing him and slaughtering thousands of his followers in the process, an event that the Incas failed to recover from. In 1986 the town was declared a ‘Historical and Cultural Heritage of the Americas’ by the Organisation of American States. Today’s full day drive is one of the most scenic in the entire country and is not for the fainthearted! Driving distance 250km, 8-9 hours approx.

Day 12: In & Around Cajamarca

Location: Leimebamba, Cajamarca

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Portal de Marques or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The town is home to a number of Catholic churches including the beautiful Complejo Belén and the baroque setting of its 18th century cathedral. We’ll have an opportunity this afternoon to spend some time exploring the town, after first paying a visit to the pre-Inca ruins at Cumbe Mayo, just to the south-west of the town. Set amongst the mountain landscapes and volcanic rock formations of Los Frailones (The Stone Monks), the aqueducts of Cumbe Mayo are said to be amongst the oldest man-made structures in South America and once collected water from the Atlantic watershed and carried it for some nine kilometres across the mountains to the Pacific watershed. On returning to Cajamarca we then have some time to enjoy the city at leisure, taking in the Plaza de Armas (where Atahualpa was executed) and perhaps visiting the old colonial maternity hospital, which is now the Archaeological and Ethnographical Museum.

Day 13: Tour Ends In Cajamarca

Location: Cajamarca

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

The tour ends today.

What's Included

  • MEALS

    12 x Breakfasts12 x Lunches8 x Dinners

  • TRANSPORT

    Minibus, two domestic flights and lots of opportunities to get out on your own two feet

  • GROUP SIZE

    Maximum: 12

  • CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS

    Contributions to climate and community projects for all bookings

  • EXPERT TEAM

    The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate

  • ACCOMMODATION

    All accommodation as outlined in the itinerary

  • ENTRANCE FEES

    All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary

  • FITNESS RATING

    Low / Moderate

What's Not Included

  • We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tourationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatoryTips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documentsInternational .Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UKAirport .Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights.Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs

  • ExcludedItem

    We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras.

    As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.



    Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour
    ationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
    Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
    International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
    Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
    Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs

Visas

Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact our recommended visa agency, Travcour www.travcour.com 

For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Peru.

Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements. 

NB. Please note that as of January 2016 US policy (subject to change) has stated that anyone wishing to travel to or via the USA must have a biometric passport. In addition, anyone  who has travelled to several countries including Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen or Somalia since March 2011, is required to apply for a US visa (rather than just an ESTA). If you are affected by this, the process is fairly straightforward and you can read more about it here:-
www.wildfrontierstravel.com/us-visa. 

Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
 

Key Aspects to Consider

Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as many of the activities are optional. However, please note that access to many of the mountain sites involve walks along trails varying in duration from a few minutes to a few hours. Whilst all walks can be opted out of, you should ensure you are in as good a state of health as possible in order to get the most out of the trip.

Please note, the tour will reach an altitude of 3750m by car and there will be activities at 3400m.

Responsible Travel

With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.

When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats. 

Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.

Travelling Solo

As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!




Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.



On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour except perhaps at Chaparri Lodge, where the number of rooms is limited and so single rooms may not be able to be guaranteed.




Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.

Insurance

Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.

Check out our Q&As

  • Do you require a visa for this holiday?

    For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Peru.

    Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.

  • What is the maximum group size?

    12

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 2002

  • Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?

    In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Stephen Iliffe  

Stephen Iliffe

It was the holiday of a lifetime

Jenny Alderson  

Jenny Alderson

Forget Machu Picchu, go to northern Peru instead!

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May 31, 2025 - Jun 12, 2025
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Travel Club discount: -$195

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