Woman weaving a traditional Peruvian blanket

Hidden Side of Peru: An Itinerary for the Returning Visitor

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

Peru

Places Visited

Lima, Trujillo, Cajamarca, Chachapoyas...

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Suggested Duration

10 Days

Enjoy the hidden and experience the overlooked on your 10-day Peru tour perfect for the returning visitor. Your customizable tour will uncover the ruins of Cloud Warriors and immerse you in the pristine wilds of the Amazon Basin. You can sample coffee at a secluded plantation and witness preserved colonial charm in Andean cities as you experience the culture, wildlife, and landscapes of Peru.

Customizable Itinerary

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Trip Highlights

  • Discover the ancient fortress of Kuelap, erected more than 800 years before the emergence of the Inca Empire
  • Wander along the trails of a protected wildlife reserve at the edges of the Amazon Basin accompanied by local biologists who are eager to help you find the local wildlife
  • Sample the flavors and learn about the variety of aromas deriving from organic Peruvian coffee while visiting a coffee plantation in Mendoza, Peru
  • Explore the largest pre-Columbian city in the Americas while visiting Chan Chan, which predated the Inca and was constructed around the 9th century AD
  • Meet with woodcarvers and weavers continuing in the work of ancient traditions and offering insight into the customs of shaping captivating artwork and textiles
  • Visit the most ancient constructions in the Americas at Cumbe Mayo, home to a 3,000-year-old aqueduct traversing more than five miles of the high-altitude plain
  • View the sensational mummies of the Chachapoyas peoples inside the regional museum in Leymebamba, which also houses a collection of ceramic bird-whistles 

Detailed Description

Outside of Machu Picchu, Cusco and Lima are cultures, histories, and scenery that are virtually unexplored. Your 10-day Peru tour delves deep into the wonders around the Amazon Basin and Andes Mountains, ancient archeological sites and captivating contemporary customs often overlooked by travelers upon their first visit. Your return tour to Peru offers the chance for a more enriching experience away from the crowds and beaten path leading to the heart of the Inca Empire, and instead, follows the civilizations that came before.

You arrive in Lima and continue on a brief flight to the city of Trujillo. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the marvelous colonial architecture and Temples of the Moon and Sun. The contemporary culture contrasts the marvels of history at Chan Chan, the largest pre-Columbian adobe city in the world and the El Brujo archaeological complex. In the city of Cajamarca, you can wander along the colonial streets and visit the Inca Seat located at the top of Santa Apolonia Hill.

The town offers a remarkable ambiance preserving the traditions of making yogurt and cheese. En route to the town of Leymebamba, you stop at Cumbe Mayo to view the oldest human-made structures in Latin America. The aqueducts date back more than 3,000 years and provide insight into the mysterious culture that predates the Inca. Spend time visiting the local museum at Leymebamba to view the mummies and collected artifacts. Visit local artists eager to teach you the traditions they preserve and the grace of their technique. Historic splendor reaches its zenith at the fortress of Kuelap, which belonged to the Chachapoyas people, often referred to as “Cloud Warriors.”

Wander among the 400 round homes and gigantic limestone walls en route to the city of Chachapoyas. While visiting a coffee plantation, you learn about the cultivation and processing of one of Peru’s most popular exports and will savor the chance to learn how to properly taste coffee under the instruction of a trained guide. The city of Tarapoto touches the edge of the Amazon Basin and celebrates the wilds of the tropical rain and cloud forests. Explore the waterfalls and museums at your preferred paced before traversing the trails around a private nature reserve in search of fauna, flora, and avifauna. 

Consider browsing our Peru and Machu Picchu tours page for more inspiration on planning your own tour of Peru.

Starting Price

$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

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