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
Day 1
Trujillo – Arrive in Trujillo with a Tour of the Historic and Riverside Districts
The buildings shaping the skyline and cobbled streets of Trujillo have not changed for hundreds of years. The Spanish Colonial architecture continues to decorate the Plaza de Armas and surrounding neighborhoods with elegant facades of polychrome set beside the spires of colonial churches. The Freedom Monument adorns the heart of Plaza de Armas, crowned with a bronze statue holding a torch, and the Basilica Menor Catedral shimmers with a bright canary-yellow facade along the edges of the plaza. The typical cuisine of the region consists of shellfish, seaweed, birds, and livestock in a continuation of ancient traditions.
The scent of Shambar soup, which blends Spanish, Criollo, and Andean gastronomical customs, drifts out of the restaurants as you find your way to the Cassinelli Museum which offers a private archeological collection located in the basement of a gas station. The unique display showcases more than 2,000 ceramic pieces, including a stunning whistling pot shaped like a bird. When air blows through the pot, the sound becomes a clear, crisp musical note and, when asked, the curator offers examples of the whistle, allowing visitors to listen to the same sounds heard by the pre-Columbian peoples of Chan Chan. The calls correspond to those of male and female birds, allowing you to hear the simple pleasures captured through sound centuries ago. The preserved structures, unique culture, and stunning connection to the local archeology welcomes you back to Peru in a different and pleasantly unexpected light, leading you to the Sun and Moon Temples in the late afternoon.
Consider reading some of our travelers' reviews of luxury Peru travel agents to learn more about this exciting tour.
What's Included:
Day 2
Trujillo – Spend the Day Discovering the Ancient City of Chan Chan
Day 3
Cajamarca – Venture to Cajamarca for an Exploration of the Colonial City
Day 4
Leymebamba – Visit Cumbe Mayo Aqueduct and a Mysterious Necropolis
Day 5
Leymebamba – Meet with the Artists and Conservationists of Leymebamba
Day 6
Chachapoyas – Explore Pre-Columbian Kuelap en route to Chachapoyas
Day 7
Chachapoyas – Relish in a Coffee Plantation Visit and Private Tour in Mendoza
Day 8
Tarapoto – Travel to Tarapoto with the Remaining Day at your Leisure
Day 9
Tarapoto – Enjoy the Enriching Amazon Basin with a Full-Day Excursion
Day 10
Tarapoto – Depart for Home
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.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.87 stars based on 905 reviews.
Fantastic!!!! I can't say enough good things about this trip. Zicasso's travel partner did an excellent job at everything! Communication was excellent, our tours were perfect, and our guides and drivers were so helpful.
The guides were beyond our expectations with their knowledge, flexibility, and always going above and beyond. I ended up in the hospital and our guide came to the hospital and helped with all the details, getting me a refund on parts of my bill and getting us to our flight home in less than three hours from being released from the hospital!!
Reviewed By marla H.
From the first communication, Zicasso's travel partner listened to our hopes for the trip (multiple locations, epic adventures, keeping teenagers engaged) and crafted a perfect itinerary. Every aspect of the trip was seamless, with the best tours and the best guides, and perfectly appointed hotels.
Our trip coordinator was super-accessible and helpful before and during the trip for any questions that came up. She had great recommendations and insights that we appreciated as first-timers to Peru. She even came by mid-week to say hello, which was an incredible surprise and so wonderful to get to meet her in person!
When one of our return flights home was cancelled, she quickly pivoted and took care of everything to ensure we could still enjoy our last day without stress. The whole family is still talking about the trip and I am so grateful to our trip coordinator for helping us to create a lifetime of incredible memories!
Reviewed By Amanda T.
Overall, the trip was outstanding. It was on our bucket list for a long time and it lived up to all expectations. Zicasso's tour company and travel agent were very knowledgeable and helped plan all the details. As with all travel, there were a few small things that came up, but they resolved the issues quickly and effectively. I would highly recommend this travel agency.
Reviewed By Jesse D.
Zicasso’s travel agent managed to ensure we were able to see and do all the things on our list, plus more! It was an amazing family adventure. We only had one issue with an airline delay, but she went above and beyond to help us. The guides and drivers were also spectacular.
Reviewed By Pamela N.
Zicasso's travel consultant planned the perfect itinerary for our family trip to Peru. She really listened to the types of experiences we wanted to have and absolutely delivered on everything she planned. All of our travel logistics went smoothly, with no issues, hiccups, or delays. She was also very responsive prior to our trip and the few times we reached out during our travels. And the app she used was extremely intuitive and helpful. I would highly recommend Zicasso's tour operator!
Reviewed By Jenifer Z.
Our trip from start to finish was absolutely fantastic. The Amazon jungle was a blast. I paid for an extra full-day excursion to fish for piranhas, which was definitely a great decision and one of the highlights of our trip (we had the piranhas for lunch, and they were delicious).
The Sacred Valley, Cusco, and Machu Picchu were fabulous. And then, the Galápagos were extraordinary, from the unexpected serenity of the place to the crew of the boat, and, of course, the proximity to wildlife, including snorkeling with sea lions. It was especially meaningful to be in these places with our entire family (10 of us). Everyone understood how special it was and we will all cherish the experience all of our lives.
The Zicasso travel company was fantastic from start to finish. Our travel specialist went far beyond the call of duty to help us, especially when one family members could not make the trip. He helped us with replacing that person with another. He was remarkably prompt, clear, and informative in all communications, both in planning the trip and during it. He has a very kind heart and is a great human being. I cannot say enough positive things about him.
Reviewed By bradley P.