Day 1: Chiclayo – Chachapoyas
In the morning you will depart from Chiclayo by private car/bus with air conditioning. You will arrive in the late afternoon in Chachapoyas. Box lunch and dinner included. Overnight at Hostal El Chillo. (L/D)
Day 2: Chachapoyas
After breakfast you will visit Kuelap, a spectacular pre-Inca walled city hidden atop a precipitous mountain. Although Kuelap was discovered 60 years before Machu Picchu, it is not as well-known to the outside world. Nevertheless recent amazing discoveries in nearby areas that relate to Kuelap and to its history have captured the attention of archaeologists, international magazines and film companies. Box Lunch. Following your visit to Kuelap, you will return to Chillo for the night. On the way you will have the opportunity to stopover to observe the burial towers of Macro, an outpost of the Chachapoyas culture built into cliffs overlooking the Utcubamba River. It’s unique location allowed for contact via signal fires with the fortress, high above in the mountains and visible through a cleft in the valley hills. Dinner and overnight at Hostal El Chillo. (B/L/D)
Day 3: Chachapoyas
After breakfast you will enjoy an excursion to visit the colorful funeral buildings of Revash perched on a ledge up high on a cliff. You will return to Chillo for one last night. Dinner and overnight at Hostal El Chillo. (B/L/D)
Day 4: Chachapoyas – Leymebamba
This morning you will drive towards Leymebamba. On the way you will stop at Las Palamas where a light trek will start to La Congona, a spectacular settlement pattern of the Chachapoyas. In this area you will be able to discover outstanding friezes and defensive towers still virgin in the jungle. After picnic lunch continue to Leymebamba for dinner and overnight at local hostel. (B/L/D)
Day 5: Leymebamba – Celendín
Morning visit the museum of Leymebamba with the pre-Inca mummies recently discovered in the Laguna de Los Cóndores. Then continue to you will drive to Celendín, crossing two cordilleras and several different habitats, such as cloud forest, agricultural land, desert-like areas and the Marañon Canyon. Box lunch on way. Overnight at Celendín Hotel. (B/L/D)
Comments: The journey from Leymebamba to Celendín, by way of the Marañón Canyon, is one of Peru’s most spectacular drives. The Marañón River forms one of the world’s deepest canyons, and you will descend through different ecosystems from over 10,000 feet in altitude to the town of Balsas at 4,000 ft. After crossing the river you then ascend back through the various habitats to nearly 10,000 ft above sea level.
Day 6: Celendín – Cajamarca
After breakfast you begin the journey to Cajamarca. You will stop for lunch in this lovely colonial town. In the afternoon will be an excursion to the Ventanillas de Otuzco, a pre-Inca cemetery that features a gallery of secondary burial niches (located 5 miles from the city). Upon your return, you will enjoy a tour of Cajamarca. Farewell dinner and overnight at Hotel Laguna Seca. (B/L/D)
Day 7: Cajamarca – Lima
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Lima.