This adventure takes you through the less-visited corners of Peru. Along the way, you will connect with the history of pre-Columbian civilizations in remote archeological sites, pass through wild jungle in the Amazon Basin, and unite with the authentic spirit of the Andes in small villages.
Highlights
- Connect with history in the seldom-visited ruins outside Trujillo
- Take a 2-hour hike through an ancient acropolis in Cajamarca
- Revel in the views from the top of the fortress ruins at Kuélap
- Take a side trip to the Catarata de Gocta waterfall, one of South America’s highest
- Travel through rainforests in the wilds of Pacaya Samiria National Reserve
Overview
This trip takes you to Northern Peru – one of the least visited areas of the country. Starting in the coastal city of Trujillo, you have the chance to see nearly a dozen pre-Columbian ruins along this route. Many of these predate the Inca and are a lasting testament to the ancient civilizations that called Peru’s northern coast and highlands home. From Trujillo, you make your way into highland cloud forest and rolling hills, where you can explore still more ruins, before descending to the edge of the Amazon in Tarapoto. The trip ends with a river journey from Yurimaguas to the remote jungle Amazonian outpost of Iquitos.
This trip is best done by public transportation or taxis. Local guides and taxis can get you out to the more remote ruins.
The trip takes you from warm coasts to highland cloud forests and back down the other side of the Andes to the Amazon Basin. You’ll need warm clothes for the highlands, and light tropical-friendly gear for the lowlands. For jungle travel, consider a light long sleeve shirt and pants, plus good sun protection. You should bring bug spray containing DEET, a rain jacket, headlamp, binoculars and a camera with decent zoom. Generally speaking, it’s best to avoid road travel by night. Check travel clinics before you depart for required and suggested vaccinations.
- 17 Days/ 16 Night
- January to December
- Moderate
Difficulty
Condition
Travel Program
Day 1: Lima
Start with a walking tour of the colonial center of this cosmopolitan capital, checking out perhaps some of the top-shelf museums and colonial architecture in Lima Centro. Next, visit the rougher port city of Callao just west of the city center to see one of South America’s best ceramics collections at the Museo Larco. You’ll want to stay for lunch in the museum’s café. Continue to tony Miraflores or slightly more party-hardy Barranco for amazing dinner, dancing and nightlife.
Days 2-4: Trujillo
It’s around 9 hours from Lima to Trujillo. If you have your own vehicle, consider stopping along the way for a quick look at the Caral archaeological site outside of Barranca. The Caral culture dates back some 5000 years. Here you will find pyramids and large amphitheaters. You can spend an hour or so exploring the area, then continue to the little village of Casma for lunch and another side trip to the Sechín archaeological site – one of the better-preserved ruins on this coast. Get an early start (before 7am) from Lima as this is a long ride with several stop en route.
Take a morning stroll around the Plaza de Armas in the glorious colonial center of Trujillo. Then go for a tour of the Chan Chan archaeological site (just outside of town). It’s best to go with a tour from town, with a guide who can curate this massive site with its towering walls and fascinating carvings. That afternoon, head to Haunchaco for a seaside ceviche, perhaps a little surf session and a chance to watch local fisherman ride traditional caballitos de totora (curved reed rafts that look like ancient surfboards).
During the remaining days in Trujillo, you can visit lesser-known archaeological sites such as Huaca Arco Iris and Huacas del Sol y de la Luna. About 60 kilometers north of here Huaca del Brujo is pretty far out there, but worth the trip if you have the time. There’s some good surfing in nearby Puerto Chicama.
Days 5-6: Cajamarca
It will take at least 5 hours to drive from Trujillo to get to Cajamarca. You can consider stopping along the way at the truly wonderful ruins at Marcahuamachuco. If not, make a beeline to Cajamarca’s town center for lunch somewhere near the Plaza de Armas in the colonial center, with a side trip to El Cuarto Del Rescate, where the Inca ruler Atahaulpa was held ransom. In the afternoon, head just outside of town to Los Baños del Inca. These ancient baths were the site of the fateful meeting between the Spanish Conquistador Pizarro and the soon-to-be-kidnapped Inca King. More evocative, however, is the wild pre-Inca necropolis just outside of town in the Ventanillas de Otuzco and Cambayo.
With an extra day in Cajamarca, take a side trip to the historically significant ruins at Kuntur Wasi, which offer up amazing views from a mountaintop and well-run museum.
Days 7-9: Chachapoyas and Kuélap
Up in the Andean cloud forests, the laid-back village of Chachapoyas is the starting point for adventures large and small. With a few extra days here, consider going through Marañon Canyon on the 5-day Gran Vilaya Trek. With just a few days, you will want to check out some of the breathtaking miradores (viewpoints) just outside the city.
The true highlight of your trip here, and probably the thing you will remember most, is an excursion out of town to the remote and forgotten fortress Kuélap. This monumental citadel is breathtaking. Not just for the views down to the rolling hills below, but also for the sheer size and grandeur of the site that was built between 500 and 1493 AD. It’s also one of the most visited of Peru’s major archaeological sites, so try to get here at dawn to have some quiet and solitude. A new cable car takes you easily to the ruins, but you can still hike up if you want the exercise.
Day 10: Tarapoto
It’s another long drive to the foot of the Andes and the edge of the Amazon in the bustling city of Tarapoto. On the way it’s possible to take a 6-hour hike to the towering 771-meter-high Catarata de Gocta waterfall. Otherwise, it’s possible to just to visit Cocachimba and get a glimpse of the waterfall.
From Tarapoto, you can take an afternoon journey to the Laguna Azul for some waterfall viewing and some undeveloped hot springs. If you want to add a day here, tack on a rafting trip on the Río Mayo for Class II and III rapids.
Note that a direct drive from Chachapoyas to Tarapoto with any stops is 6 hours minimum by private car, 8 hours by bus.
Day 11: Yurimaguas
This forgettable city is the starting point for wild Amazon adventures. You just need to be in town long enough to arrange your onward travel (in nearby Lagunas), stock up on food and supplies and hit the ATM.
Days 12-16: Reserva Nacional Pacaya-Samiria
At the end of the road, the river begins. With a guide from Lagunas, you can arrange for journeys both short or long into Reserva Nacional Pacaya-Samiria (Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve). This 20,000-sq km reserve is Peru’s largest. Just outside Lagunas, don’t expect to see much. But travel a few days into the park by dugout canoe, and you’ll start seeing the bird life, animal life and the pulsing beat of biodiversity that makes this park unique. Short journeys by speedboat from here into the park are also possible.
Departing from Lagunas, you have an option of taking a cargo boat down the Amazon to Iquitos. The journey takes 4 or 5 days but private cabins are available. The only other option is to fly to Iquitos from Tarapoto (skipping Yurimaguas) and make your jungle treks from Iquitos.
Day 17: Back to Lima
Getting back to Lima can be a challenge. If you take a boat all the way to Iquitos, you can get a flight out. If not, head back to Tarapoto for a flight back to the capital.
Included meals: B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner
What's Included
Included
- English- and Spanish-speaking guide
- Entrance tickets as per itinerary
- Accommodation
- Trekking staff (if applicable)
- Camping equipment (if applicable)
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Transportation as per itinerary
- Airport transfers (if specified)
Not included
- International or domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Tips
- Personal expenses
- Optional tours or additional entrance tickets
- Personal equipment
What to Bring
What to Bring or take fo Day Hiking and Technical Equipment for Climbing Expedition
This equipment list is compiled to provide you with adequate help when choosing your equipment for a climb. Most items are required. Please consider each of them and make sure you understand the function and exclusive use for mountaineering, before substituting or removing items from this list. Please note that this list has been carefully annotated by the organizer. Remember that mountaineering, climbing or mountain expeditions tours is an extreme, risky sport, therefore everything related to it is of great attention.
Equipment Trekking
Hiking backpack for hiking 50 to 60 liters
Light gloves for hiking or (Optional Mittens waterproof)
Medium weight socks
Sleeping bag (-15º to 20ºC)
Small daypack for one day hiking 30 liters
Weather-appropriate clothing (think moisture-wicking and layers)
Hiking boots or shoes
Medium weight parka with fibber fill or down
Rain poncho (or rain gear)
Long-sleeved shirts
Fleece or Wool sweater and/or trousers
Lightweight pants
Cotton short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts
Water bottle for hiking or trekking
Strong waterproof duffel bag
Flashlight with spare batteries and bulb
Towel for personal hygiene each participantFirst-aid kit
Regular and long underwear
Knife or multi-tool
Light cap and wool hat
Sunglasses with UV certification, Sun block, lips
The rest of the list Essentials as appropriate for your hike
Grooming and personal hygiene kit
One Hiking Buff per person
Equipment Mountain
3 Locking carabiners, we recommended per person
We recommend 2 ice screws for each client
1 Daisy Chain (Life Line) per each person
2 Ice axes (per person) technical, we recommended GRIVEL company
1 ATC descender (Rappel), this is very necessary for technical mountains
2 Cords for prusik, very important (Size Cord 6 mm x 10 m. long)
Gloves(Good gloves) for expeditions over 6000meters
Harness for climbing
Sleeping pad / Mattress, we recommend with air or inflatable mattress
Crampons, we recommended GRIVEL company
Walking sticks – Trekking Poles (optional), a pair per person, we recommended GRIVEL company
Down Jacket for expedition
Very important to have personal clothing such as pants and jacket with GOROTEX certification
First aid kit, for high mountains, because we as guides cannot medicate clients
Backpack Capacity 60 liters, it is better to have a bigger backpack to go comfortably to the high camps, because here you have to carry all your personal things
Gaiters or Leggings, now modern boots already have built-in (Incorporated), but better to have an extra pair
Dressing appropriately for the mountains can make the difference between a pleasant trip and a really uncomfortable one. Clothing must provide the right degree of temperature, perspiration and be well ventilated. Preferably cotton clothing should be avoided, as in humid conditions they absorb body heat.
In general, the weather conditions in in the Andes of South America can vary from day to day and even throughout the day. Therefore, clothing must be versatile.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have regarding the necessary equipment.
Prices & Dates
FROM/TO
PRICE (USD)
TRAVEL STATUS
- Single Supplement (I want my own room and tent) – $000 on request.
Please note: Insurance for emergency evacuation is required for this trip. Call for more details.
» Additional dates available upon request
» Rates may vary from July 26th to 31th for the national holidays
Prices (per person):
| 1 PAX | 2 PAX | 4 PAX | 6 PAX | 8 PAX | 10 PAX | 12 PAX | 14 PAX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD | — USD |
Deposit for reservations
— USD (– EUR) ✓ Full payment 40 days before. No refund if you cancel less than 30 days!
Places: 
*Available
Trip-code: Number ►BOL-000
Duration: 1 day
Participants: Minimal: 2 Maximal: 15
Members: We don’t have an open group to join – We can open a new group – Contact us!
Country / Location: Bolivia
Mountain Guide: Eric Raul Albino Lliuya
Other dates / additional info: Contact us!
3% early bird discount when booking 6 months prior to departure 2024
Legend Booking-information:
EZZ Single room supplement
🟢 On this trip, places are still available.
🟡 On this trip, only a few places left.
🔴 This trip is sold out / closed.
Eric Raul Albino Lliuya
Expert guide certified by AGOMP
General Sales Manager of Peru Expeditions
- WhatsApp: +51 943 081 066
- E-Mail: office@peru-expeditions.org
Hans Honold | Certified Mountain and Ski Guide
For a trip with a Professional Certified Mountain Guide from abroad with your own language that you speak, please request us to get in touch. We have guides working for our company from all over the world who are members of IVBV/UIAGM/IFMGA Certified Guides.
- Tel: +49(0)7344 929144-0
It is very important to have accident coverage for trekking and climbing mountains, more if you go a technical mountains over 6 thousand meters, we oblige and recommend buying travel insurance with our partner Global Rescue, you get the peace of mind that the finest medical, security evacuation, field rescue, intelligence and telehealth.
- Tel: +1 (617) 459-4200
Only $1000 deposit to book
Pay over time, interest free
No booking fee, no change fee
24/7 support
Accommodations
Scroll through our exclusive accommodations for this trip below. Although very unlikely, we will be able to make substitutions when necessary. The comfortable accommodations that guests stay in every night offer comfort, the level that these options are are 3 stars and some hostels in some towns of first class quality to make your stay very pleasant.
*These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some cases, alternative accommodation of similar quality and location can be used.
Albergue Ecológico Tomarapi
Hoteles Taykas
Videos
Frequently Asked Questions
What our travelers or clients always ask questions before joining our trips, tours & expeditions, read all the information provided here.
Suggested FAQs
What experience and how fit do I need to be to climb this mountain? Is this program suitable for children or older people?
For our mountain climbing trips: If they are easily accessible mountains: For easy-climb mountains, well, you don’t need much experience, but if you already want to climb mountains above 6,000 meters and the conditions become more difficult, we recommend if you already want to go through mountains above 6,000 meters, have a basic or intermediate course for a good preparation. It is very important to be physically, technically and psychologically prepared.
Regarding the preparation of children: Everything will depend on which mountain you want to climb with your children, once you are clear on which of our tours or mountains you want to go with your children, we can give you some advice or see how to prepare them before going with they.
Regarding older people: It all depends on the condition of experience and how well the person is in health, on many occasions older people are the best to walk in the mountains because they have more experience, so it is always good to ask and find out about their experience of older participant. If you have any other questions, please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
Will I need to bring any technical equipment of my own? Is it possible to rent equipment, and if so, what would be the approximate cost of that?
In all our trekking or mountaineering trips we do not include personal equipment in our prices, so you have to have your own equipment: Personal equipment (such as boots, ice ax, crampons, harness, sleeping bag, mat, Goretex, etc. ) and also within each page of the trips that we sell is a small list so you can see it on our website.
Our company can also rent the materials that you would need for your trip, see the list here on our website: https://peru-expeditions.org/equipment-rental/ . For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
Are there any other special requirements such as permits/insurance/vaccines that I need to consider before the tour?
Safe and effective vaccines are available that provide strong protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Billions of people have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Getting vaccinated is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself against COVID-19, help end the pandemic and stop new variants emerging.
We also recommend having accident insurance, we always recommend. We are Partners –Global Rescue. If you have any other questions about the trip we can schedule a date for a calling via WhatsApp. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What experience do I need to have? How fit do I need to be? Is this program suitable for children or older people?
To do long-distance hiking you need to at least train or do some tours such as visiting lagoons to get the experience and feel comfortable with what you do, it is always good before doing a long-distance hiking tour to test yourself so as not to be with the problems of altitude sickness during the trekking, and if you travel with children it is good to first train them before taking them, if they are accompanied by an adult of legal age, they must do a good acclimatization before going on the long-distance tour or with high altitude camps If you want to know or learn more advice, we can schedule a call via WhatsApp to clarify your doubts. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
How far in advance should I start training and what kind of training do you suggest?
The preparation is according to what type and what technical level you want to go and climb a trek or mountain, the preparation will always gain experience little by little.
For this type of demanding or technical climbing sports, it is recommended to do some summits above 5 thousand meters beforehand and have good knowledge of high mountain technical equipment such as the use of technical ice axes, ice screws, correct use of crampons, and of course all the technical material. For more information, we can schedule an appointment to be able to explain in more detail everything about the mountain equipment and the preparations prior to joining our outings. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What is the average distance and altitude gain that we will hike each day?
Every day we have active walks around approximately 4, to 5 sometimes 6 hours of walking, everything is according to your pace and physical condition of each person, in each of our travel programs you will find more detailed information, and if If you need more information about each day of the travel program, we can schedule a call via WhatsApp to clarify your doubts or questions, for this please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
Will there be porters to help to carry group and personal equipment?
In our trips, either hiking or mountaineering: Depending on the type or destination of the trip that you are going to book, in some parts of the treks you go with mules or donkeys or sometimes with horses, and within the mountain trips, the approach camps are also They go with mules or donkeys, but there are some stretches where pack animals can no longer reach. In this part, our logistics is fully supported by the porters.
Who are the porters? They are people from the area who were born and live in the heights of the towns, they are very strong and are very acclimatized, the reason is that after the tourist season ends they dedicate themselves to agriculture and livestock for that reason they are people They are used to the altitude and have lived in nature all their lives and they are happy to be in the mountains together with our expeditions. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
How will accommodation and meals be handled during the trek?
About accommodation or meals during the tour: Well, depending on the type of tour, when the tour is a classic cultural tour or a city tour, we eat during the route in tourist restaurants and sleep in category hotels that the client has requested.
If the tour is with camps and trekking: During the activity, logistics we include the service of Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner with traditional and typical meals of the region where you are going to travel with us, during the night we stay in tents, and we have a special tent for the kitchen and another for the dining room.
If the trip is at altitude or in the mountains: We bring special high mountain food, It are quicker meals to cook and we provide complete logistics such as Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, and we sleep in special 4-season high mountain tents, with the best tents. If you have any questions or concerns, we can schedule an appointment via Whatsapp to clarify all your doubts and give you better information so that your trip is an unforgettable tour.
What is the guide-to-client ratio to climb this mountain?
In mountains above 5000 meters: A local guide takes a maximum of 3 clients = Ratio 3pax = 1 local guide
In technical mountains: In large-big mountains we manage the travel policy, a guide and a maximum of 2 clients = Ratio 3pax = 1 local guide. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What is the best time of the year to climb this mountain?
For all the trips that we offer within our main tourist destinations such as South America and Central America, also including the ascent of the 7 continents and the 7 highest peaks of each continent, on each page of our website for each trip we indicate that month or what season to travel, then please read the information you find in our travel offers for each tour. If you have any other questions you can contact us by WhatsApp with one of our travel experts. Thank you so much. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
Do I have what it takes to succeed on this expedition?
In the interest of the team’s enjoyment and success, we work with every single guest to ensure they are properly prepared and ready for this expedition. We pride ourselves on vetting every member to make sure that the team can bond and succeed together. It really sucks to be grouped with members that are much faster, or much slower, than you are. No one wants to the weakest link on a trip like this. By setting expectations and a solid training plan, we work to insure maximum cohesive success. Use this trip as an exercise motivator, and we will succeed together with style.
How can I get to the trailhead/meeting point?
For the pick-ups of each trip, depending on the place or the trip that you are going to make with us, the meeting point is always at our office, in one of our trips we pick you up where you are staying or staying, or in some cases a A representative of our company will pick you up and then ship you to your transport to continue with your destination of the tour or trip you have booked with us. If you wish to request more information, do not hesitate to contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What is the best time of the year for this hike?
For all the trips that we offer within our main tourist destinations such as South America and Central America, also including the ascent of the 7 continents and the 7 highest peaks of each continent, on each page of our website for each trip we indicate that month or what season to travel, then please read the information you find in our travel offers for each tour. If you have any other questions you can contact us by WhatsApp with one of our travel experts. Thank you so much. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
What happens in the event of bad weather?
About the meteorological conditions of the climate, we try to organize the trips of each tour in the best season to have the best views and enjoy the selected trip but sometimes even is good season we can have bad weather, in this case on hiking or treks trips The complications are minimal, but when this happens during high-altitude climbing expeditions, the complications can become very difficult, that is why the bosses or leaders of the local guides must always make the most correct decision for the safety of our passengers, so we always recommend listening to the best advice from the local guide assigned for each tour. If you have any other questions please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
Can I join a group?
We as a local company and connoisseurs of tours have departures on different dates. The best thing to do is to join a travel group to take care of your budget, and of course you can join our groups, but on trips like mountaineering we recommend going in small groups. To join a group, ask us for the dates and we will send you the necessary information to be able to join any of our trips.
Why go in a private trip: For trips whether trekking or high mountains, going privately is the most recommended option, but the costs are more expensive. So, if one joins a group, the prices will be more reasonable. In the mountains, the only disadvantage is if you are in a wall with another partner and if one of the participants gets tired or gets sick. In this case, you have to abort or cancel the summit and return together. For more information, contact us. We can schedule a call via WhatsApp to clarify all your questions.
In a mountain, for example, if 3 people go and one of the participants falls ill on the route, for security reasons they have to cancel or abort the summit or return all together. The same in a technical mountain if the climbing partner gets sick they all have to return, for these reasons sometimes it is better to go private only because for a single person the costs are more expensive for the same reason that the trip would already be private .
For more information please contact us. For calls or inquiries to this number: +51 943 081 066
The company Peru Expeditions Tours has the most experience in organizing commercial ascents and complex high-altitude expeditions. 
We have the most experienced and qualified guides for cultural trip, climbing tours, MTB tours, Ski tours, including famous climbers.
We always give away team jerseys-T-shits, buffs, or a cap as a gift
Good own personal tents to live in height and special big tents to dine inside the trekking or mountain.
The highest percentage of successful ascents.
We provide the best living and eating conditions. We take into account the peculiarities of nutrition (you can order a vegetarian menu).
Free conferences in the office with own videos material and photographs
