A nine-day circuit through Peru's archaeological north, ending in the Andes.
After the Museo Larco and Barranco in Lima, the Moche Route leads to Trujillo, with Chan Chan, Huaca El Dragon and Huanchaco, and the El Brujo complex with the Museo de la Senora de Cao; in Chiclayo, the Museo Tumbas Reales del Senor de Sipan and Huaca Rajada. The journey continues in Cusco, with a chocolate workshop at the Chocomuseo, the guided visit to Machu Picchu by train, a city tour and a Pucara bull workshop. Accommodation is offered across categories from economy to deluxe.
Highlights
Museo Larco and Barranco in Lima
Chan Chan and Huaca El Dragon (Chimu), and Huanchaco with its Caballitos de Totora
El Brujo complex and the Museo Cao (the Senora de Cao)
Museo Tumbas Reales del Senor de Sipan and Huaca Rajada
Machu Picchu by train via Aguas Calientes
Cusco city tour and Pucara bull workshop
Day-by-day itinerary
Day1
Day 1: Arrival in Lima
Arrival in Lima. Meeting and assistance, and transfer to the hotel.
Day2
Day 2: Museo Larco and Barranco (half day)
Half-day visit to the Museo Larco, set in a colonial mansion surrounded by gardens, home to an outstanding collection of pre-Columbian gold and silver from Peru and its well-known collection of erotic ceramics. Afterwards, a walk through Barranco, Lima's artistic and bohemian district, with the Puente de los Suspiros, built in 1876.
Day3
Day 3: Lima - Trujillo: Huaca El Dragon, Chan Chan and Huanchaco
Transfer to the airport and flight to Trujillo. Meeting and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, a tour of the main archaeological sites: Huaca El Dragon, or Temple of the Rainbow, of the Chimu culture; the site museum and the Chan Chan complex, of about 18 km2, with the Tschudi Palace, one of the best preserved; and the Huanchaco resort, a former fishing cove with its Caballitos de Totora reed boats.
Day4
Day 4: Trujillo - El Brujo complex and Museo Cao - Chiclayo
A drive through sugar-cane fields to the El Brujo Archaeological Complex, a Moche site made up of the Cao, Partida and Prieta huacas, with polychrome paintings on its walls. Visit to the Museo de la Senora de Cao, devoted to the mummy of a Moche female ruler. At the appointed time, a tourist-bus transfer to Chiclayo, meeting and transfer to the hotel.
Day5
Day 5: Chiclayo - Royal Tombs of the Lord of Sipan and Huaca Rajada - Lima
Visit to the Museo Tumbas Reales del Senor de Sipan, a pyramid-shaped building housing gold, silver and copper ornaments of Moche art and the remains of the Lord of Sipan, with a reconstruction of the main tomb. Then the Huaca Rajada complex, with pyramidal structures where the tombs of the Lord of Sipan and the Old Lord of Sipan were found. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport and return flight to Lima, and transfer to the hotel.
Day6
Day 6: Lima - Cusco and the Chocomuseo
Transfer to the airport and flight to Cusco, the imperial city. A flight arriving around 11:00 is recommended to allow time before the afternoon activities. Meeting and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, a visit to the Chocomuseo, following the chocolate-making process from cacao grown in the Peruvian jungle to the finished product, with the chance to make your own chocolates (120 g) using dark or milk chocolate.
Day7
Day 7: Cusco - Machu Picchu - Cusco
Transfer to the station for the train to Aguas Calientes, through Andean landscapes. From there, an ascent by bus to the Machu Picchu citadel, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Time to explore its precincts and lanes. Descent to Aguas Calientes for lunch and, at the appointed time, return by train to Cusco.
Day8
Day 8: 'Encounter of Two Worlds' city tour and Pucara bull workshop
The tour begins at the San Pedro Market, with Andean and European produce, and continues along the main streets, where Inca foundations combine with colonial architecture. It ends at the Qorikancha, the former Temple of the Sun on which the Santo Domingo convent was built. In the afternoon, a Pucara bull painting workshop, decorating a clay ceramic piece with all materials and guidance, learning about Cusco craft.
Day9
Day 9: Departure from Cusco
At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport for the return flight to Lima.
Suggested hotels
Arawi Miraflores Express
Standard
Lima
Economy category in Lima (3 nights).
Britania Miraflores
Standard
Lima
Economy category in Lima (3 nights).
Korianka
Standard
Trujillo
Economy category in Trujillo (1 night).
Gran Bolivar
Standard
Trujillo
Tourist category in Trujillo (1 night).
Central Chiclayo
Standard
Chiclayo
Economy category in Chiclayo (1 night).
Mochiks
Standard
Chiclayo
Tourist category in Chiclayo (1 night).
Mabey Cusco
Standard
Cusco
Economy category in Cusco (3 nights).
Prisma Hotel
Standard
Cusco
Economy category in Cusco (3 nights).
Dazzler Miraflores
Superior
Lima
First class category in Lima (3 nights).
Jose Antonio Lima Miraflores
Superior
Lima
First class category in Lima (3 nights).
Costa del Sol Wyndham Trujillo
Superior
Trujillo
First class category in Trujillo (1 night).
Costa del Sol Trujillo Centro
Superior
Trujillo
Superior First class category in Trujillo (1 night).
Winmeier Chiclayo
Superior
Chiclayo
First class category in Chiclayo (1 night).
Costa del Sol Chiclayo
Superior
Chiclayo
Superior First class category in Chiclayo (1 night).
La Hacienda Cusco
Superior
Cusco
First class category in Cusco (3 nights).
Jose Antonio Cusco
Superior
Cusco
First class category in Cusco (3 nights).
El Pardo DoubleTree By Hilton
Luxury
Lima
Deluxe category in Lima (3 nights).
Pullman Miraflores
Luxury
Lima
Deluxe category in Lima (3 nights).
DoubleTree by Hilton Trujillo
Luxury
Trujillo
Deluxe category in Trujillo (1 night).
Casa Andina Select Chiclayo
Luxury
Chiclayo
Deluxe category in Chiclayo (1 night).
Costa del Sol Chiclayo (Jr. Suite)
Luxury
Chiclayo
Superior Deluxe category in Chiclayo (1 night).
Aranwa Cusco
Luxury
Cusco
Deluxe category in Cusco (3 nights).
Casa Andina Premium Cusco (Suite)
Luxury
Cusco
Deluxe category in Cusco (3 nights).
Essential, Premium and Luxury categories available. Final accommodation is confirmed by date and availability.
What's included
Included: Accommodation for 8 nights in the listed hotels or similar (3 nights in Lima, 1 night in Trujillo, 1 night in Chiclayo, 3 nights in Cusco), with daily breakfast
Included: Private airport, inter-city and departure transfers as per the programme
Included: Private half-day visit to the Museo Larco and Barranco in Lima
Included: Half-day tour of Huaca El Dragon, Chan Chan and Huanchaco in Trujillo
Included: Half-day tour of the El Brujo complex and the Museo Cao
Included: Tourist-bus transfer Trujillo - Chiclayo
Included: Half-day tour of the Royal Tombs of the Lord of Sipan and Huaca Rajada
Included: Chocolate-making workshop at the Cusco Chocomuseo
Included: Full-day guided visit to Machu Picchu by Expedition or Voyager train, with lunch, including hotel - station - hotel transfers
Included: Half-day 'Encounter of Two Worlds' Cusco city tour
Included: Pucara bull painting workshop in Cusco
What's not included
Not included: International and domestic airfare
Not included: National and international airport taxes
Not included: Early check-in and late check-out
Not included: Meals not mentioned in the programme
Not included: Drinks not included with the lunches
Not included: Tips and gratuities
Not included: Travel insurance
Not included: Personal expenses and anything not expressly mentioned as included