Hidden Wonders of Peru: Gocta & Kuelap

Transfer Lima Airport / Lima Hotel

Upon arrival in Lima, you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Settle in and get ready to begin your journey through some of Peru’s most fascinating cultural and natural landscapes.

Half-Day City Tour Lima & Larco Museum

Today, discover the fascinating contrasts of Lima, where modern city life meets centuries of history. Begin in the contemporary districts of Miraflores and San Isidro, before continuing to the historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the way, admire landmarks such as the Museum of Italian Art, Palace of Justice, Museum of Lima, and Plaza San Martín.

Continue on foot through Lima’s historic heart, with the Main Square as the centrepiece. Admire the Government Palace, Cathedral, and Archbishop’s Palace before visiting the Convent of Santo Domingo, one of the city’s most important religious landmarks. The convent is also home to the relics of three Peruvian saints: Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martín de Porres, and San Juan Macías.

The experience continues at the Rafael Larco Herrera Museum, one of Peru’s most important museums of pre-Hispanic art. Explore its remarkable collection of nearly 45,000 pieces, with a particular focus on the Mochica culture. Discover beautifully crafted jewellery, textiles, ceramics, and the museum’s famous erotic collection, while also exploring its unique open-access storerooms that offer a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of its archaeological collection.

After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Transfer Lima Hotel / Lima Airport

At the specified time, you will be transferred from your hotel to Lima Airport for your flight to Chachapoyas and the next chapter of your adventure in northern Peru.

Transfer Chachapoyas Airport / Chachapoyas Hotel

Upon arrival, you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Chachapoyas, a charming mountain town surrounded by the lush landscapes of the Amazonian Andes. Settle in and get ready to discover one of Peru’s most fascinating and lesser-known regions, home to spectacular waterfalls, cloud forests, and remarkable pre-Inca archaeological sites.

Half-Day Classic Route to Gocta Waterfalls

Today, set out on a scenic half-day hike to Gocta Waterfalls, one of the highest waterfalls in the world and one of the natural highlights of northern Peru.

Your adventure begins in Cocachimba, following the classic trail through local farms where sugar cane, corn, pineapple, and other crops are cultivated. As you leave the farmland behind, the landscape becomes increasingly lush and wooded, creating opportunities to spot some of the region’s colourful birdlife.

Continue towards El Trapiche, where you will take a short break and enjoy refreshing sugar cane juice before tackling the final stretch of the trail. The path then leads into a beautiful cloud forest, covered in mosses, lichens, orchids, and bromeliads, with spectacular viewpoints along the way.

Finally, reach the base of Gocta Falls and take in the impressive sight of the water cascading down the mountainside. Feel the cool mist on your face and listen to the powerful sound of the waterfall as you enjoy this peaceful and magical corner of the Amazonian Andes.

After spending time appreciating the scenery, begin the return hike, stopping once again at El Trapiche for a well-deserved snack before continuing back to Cocachimba.

Full-Day Kuelap Fortress Experience

Today, discover the impressive Kuelap Fortress, an ancient pre-Inca citadel built high in the mountains of Peru’s Amazonian region and one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in northern Peru.

Travel along the Utcubamba River towards Tingo, enjoying the spectacular landscapes along the way. Make a brief stop to admire the distant Macro ruins before continuing to the cable car station. From here, enjoy a scenic ride towards the Kuelap tourist station, followed by a approximately 30-minute walk to the southern entrance of the fortress.

Once inside, join your guide for an exploration of this extraordinary archaeological complex. Learn about the Chachapoya civilization as you discover its impressive stone walls, intricate passages, towers, ceremonial structures, and different levels of construction. The fortress is surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery, offering spectacular panoramic views throughout the visit.

After exploring this fascinating piece of Peru’s ancient heritage, walk back to the cable car station and enjoy the scenic ride down to the base, bringing an unforgettable day at Kuelap to an end.

Farewell to Chachapoyas

At the specified time, you will be transferred from your hotel to Chachapoyas Airport for your departure.

As your journey through northern Peru comes to an end, take with you unforgettable memories of the region’s lush cloud forests, spectacular Gocta Waterfalls, and the fascinating legacy of the Chachapoya civilization at Kuelap. From Lima’s rich cultural heritage to the remote landscapes of the Amazonian Andes, this adventure offers a glimpse into a lesser-known and truly remarkable side of Peru.