Peru 2.0: Treasures of the North!
For those who want to see more of what Peru has to offer, beyond Machu Picchu
Our newest offering, Peru 2.0, begins in Lima, then takes you to the northern Peruvian coast and highlands, to experience ancient cultures, marvels of nature, and exotic landscapes. We'll see ruins that pre-date the Inca and exhibit rare methods of construction and artistic decoration.
We'll also see some spectacular natural sights, including the 5th-highest waterfall in the world*; a spectacular and little-visited mountaintop fortress that was among the last to fall to the Inca; and the largest city in the Americas before the time of Columbus, built entirely of adobe. We'll see the golden trove that was buried with unknown nobleman, in a spectacular museum specially built to show them off. We'll visit an organic coffee plantation, view hummingbirds (possibly including the rare Marvelous Spatuletail hummingbird), and watch artisans create ceramics using centuries-old techniques. All of this among landscapes that range from the arid Pacific coast, to steep, verdant mountainsides cultivated in a mind-boggling patchwork, ending in cloud forest. Do we have your attention, yet?
Tentative itinerary: Twelve days, eleven nights.
Day 1: Arrive Lima, overnight in Miraflores
Day 2: Lima -- visit Huaca Pucllana archeological site, and the Larco Museum
Day 3: Fly to Trujillo, tour Huaca de la Luna, overnight in Huanchaco
Day 4: Tour Chan Chan; private van to Tucume.
Day 5: Tour Tucume pyramids; visit Tumbas Reales museum in Lambayeque. Overnight in Tucume.
Day 6: Private transportation to Gocta Lodge in the cloud forest of Amazonas province.
Day 7: Hike in cloud forest to Gocta Falls, possible to see monkeys, rare birds. Overnight Gocta Lodge.
Day 8: Tour Karajia archeological site, visit Huancas (overlook & pottery co-op). Overnight in Chachapoyas.
Day 9: Visit organic coffee plantation in Mendoza; overnight in Chachapoyas
Day 10: Take an aerial tram to tour Kuelap archeological site; visit private conservation area; overnight in Leymebamba.
Day 11: Visit Leymebamba museum; travel in private van to Cajamarca for overnight lodging.
Day 12: Cajamarca, visit Banos del Inka hot springs; return flights to Lima & US.
Possible add-on: Machu Picchu, or other sites in Peru.
Archeological sites include Chan Chan, Huaca de la Luna, and Sipan, varied and fascinating remnants of the Chimu and Moche cultures; Karajia, where oversize sarcophagi perch on a nearly-inaccessible cliff, keeping eternal watch; and Kuelap, the spectacular mountaintop fortress of the Chachapoyas culture that could be Peru's top attraction, were it not eclipsed by Machu Picchu.
The trip is rated "moderately active." We'll be walking through archeological sites, hiking through cloud forest to a waterfall (4 hours r/t), and strolling cobbled streets, at altitudes up to almost 10,000', but we'll always have a good path to follow, and (very) comfortable accommodations when we finish the day!
Dates for the trip are negotiable. Group size: 6 to 10. For additional details, inquire at russworks@outlook.com or call (406) 363-1279. Tentative cost depends on group size; international roundtrip airfare to Lima not included.
We'll also see some spectacular natural sights, including the 5th-highest waterfall in the world*; a spectacular and little-visited mountaintop fortress that was among the last to fall to the Inca; and the largest city in the Americas before the time of Columbus, built entirely of adobe. We'll see the golden trove that was buried with unknown nobleman, in a spectacular museum specially built to show them off. We'll visit an organic coffee plantation, view hummingbirds (possibly including the rare Marvelous Spatuletail hummingbird), and watch artisans create ceramics using centuries-old techniques. All of this among landscapes that range from the arid Pacific coast, to steep, verdant mountainsides cultivated in a mind-boggling patchwork, ending in cloud forest. Do we have your attention, yet?
Tentative itinerary: Twelve days, eleven nights.
Day 1: Arrive Lima, overnight in Miraflores
Day 2: Lima -- visit Huaca Pucllana archeological site, and the Larco Museum
Day 3: Fly to Trujillo, tour Huaca de la Luna, overnight in Huanchaco
Day 4: Tour Chan Chan; private van to Tucume.
Day 5: Tour Tucume pyramids; visit Tumbas Reales museum in Lambayeque. Overnight in Tucume.
Day 6: Private transportation to Gocta Lodge in the cloud forest of Amazonas province.
Day 7: Hike in cloud forest to Gocta Falls, possible to see monkeys, rare birds. Overnight Gocta Lodge.
Day 8: Tour Karajia archeological site, visit Huancas (overlook & pottery co-op). Overnight in Chachapoyas.
Day 9: Visit organic coffee plantation in Mendoza; overnight in Chachapoyas
Day 10: Take an aerial tram to tour Kuelap archeological site; visit private conservation area; overnight in Leymebamba.
Day 11: Visit Leymebamba museum; travel in private van to Cajamarca for overnight lodging.
Day 12: Cajamarca, visit Banos del Inka hot springs; return flights to Lima & US.
Possible add-on: Machu Picchu, or other sites in Peru.
Archeological sites include Chan Chan, Huaca de la Luna, and Sipan, varied and fascinating remnants of the Chimu and Moche cultures; Karajia, where oversize sarcophagi perch on a nearly-inaccessible cliff, keeping eternal watch; and Kuelap, the spectacular mountaintop fortress of the Chachapoyas culture that could be Peru's top attraction, were it not eclipsed by Machu Picchu.
The trip is rated "moderately active." We'll be walking through archeological sites, hiking through cloud forest to a waterfall (4 hours r/t), and strolling cobbled streets, at altitudes up to almost 10,000', but we'll always have a good path to follow, and (very) comfortable accommodations when we finish the day!
Dates for the trip are negotiable. Group size: 6 to 10. For additional details, inquire at russworks@outlook.com or call (406) 363-1279. Tentative cost depends on group size; international roundtrip airfare to Lima not included.
Chan Chan, largest pre-Columbian city in the Americas, on the Pacific coast.
The fortress of Kuelap, with parts remaining unexcavated, still offers the thrill of discovery.
Gocta Falls is the third, fifth, or thirteenth-highest waterfall in the world (depending on how you measure) and will put you in mind of the movie, "UP." The falls are Impressive in their own right, and the surrounding cloud forest offers a chance to see monkeys, hummingbirds, and the rare Cock of the Rock.
At Huaca de la Luna, the coastal Moche civilization created unique art based on crabs, octopi, rays, and other sea life.
Some of the molds used to create the friezes at Chan Chan have been found, enabling archeologists to restore some areas of the adobe city with its original adornments.