Empires of Northern Peru

Lima - Chiclayo - Lambayeque - Chiclayo. Flight from Lima to Chiclayo (not included). On arrival, we travel to the Valley of the Pyramids in Túcume, around 33 km from the city. This remarkable archaeological site was once one of the most important urban centres of its time. Local legend tells of the arrival of the god Naylamp and Queen Ceterni from the sea, a story that still forms part of the region’s cultural identity.

We then continue to the city of Lambayeque to visit the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipán. Designed to resemble the original burial site, the museum houses extraordinary treasures discovered in the tomb of the Lord of Sipán, including intricate gold, silver and precious stone artefacts. It is considered one of the most significant archaeological museums in South America.

Lunch is served in a local restaurant specialising in traditional northern Peruvian cuisine. Afterwards, we return to Chiclayo.

Please note: - the flight to Chiclayo is not included in this itinerary. If your flight arrives in Chiclayo later than 08:30, you will miss the morning excursion.

Chiclayo - Magdalena de Cao - Trujillo. This morning we depart by private vehicle for Trujillo. On the way, we pass through the sugar-cane plantations of northern Peru before reaching the small town of Magdalena de Cao.

From here we travel into the surrounding sandy landscape to explore the Huaca El Brujo archaeological complex. This site gained international attention with the discovery of the Lady of Cao - a tattooed mummy buried with clothing, jewellery and ceremonial offerings. The find transformed understanding of Moche society, revealing that women could hold positions of great power.

At the site museum we see the remarkably preserved mummy of the Lady of Cao, whose tattoos symbolise her authority. Archaeological work at Huaca El Brujo continues today, with ongoing discoveries revealing different phases of construction and occupation.

After lunch, we continue our journey by road to Trujillo. On arrival, transfer to the hotel.

Trujillo - Huanchaco - Lima. In the morning we visit the impressive Huaca de la Luna - the ceremonial and political centre of the Moche culture in the Trujillo Valley. At the site museum we view artefacts discovered during excavations before exploring the temple itself, where striking high-relief images of Moche deities decorate the ancient walls.

We continue to the Huaca del Arco Iris, also known as the Huaca del Dragón, associated with the later Chimú culture.

Our journey then takes us to the coastal village of Huanchaco, a historic fishing cove where traditional reed boats known as Caballitos de Totora are still used by local fishermen. These vessels have been part of coastal life here for centuries. Lunch is served in Huanchaco.

In the afternoon we visit the vast Chan Chan citadel, once the capital of the Chimú Kingdom and the largest adobe city in the Americas. We explore the Nik-An Palace in the south-west sector of the complex, walking through ceremonial courtyards, storage areas, reservoirs and burial zones that reveal the scale and organisation of this ancient city.

Later we transfer to the airport for your onward flight.