Peru · Archaeology

9-Day Northern Peru and Sacred Andes Tour with Machu Picchu

9 Days Round trip from Lima Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Discover the tomb of a powerful female leader and her preserved mummy
  • 02 Walk through the largest adobe city in the Americas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • 03 Experience one of Peru's best traditional markets, known for high-quality local crafts
  • 04 Marvel at the massive Inca stonework overlooking the city
  • 05 Explore the majestic citadel nestled high in the Andes, a Wonder of the World

Explore ancient Moche temples in Trujillo, visit the stunning Chan Chan ruins, and enjoy the charm of Lima. Then travel to Cusco and the Sacred Valley, where you'll experience colorful markets, Inca fortresses, and the world-famous Machu Picchu. This trip combines archaeology, tradition, and breathtaking landscapes for an unforgettable adventure.

Explore ancient Moche temples in Trujillo, visit the stunning Chan Chan ruins, and enjoy the charm of Lima.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Cusco, Trujillo, Huanchaco, Lima, Machu Picchu, Urubamba, Písac, Ollantaytambo
Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival in Lima and Private Transfer to Your Hotel

  • Welcome to Peru! Our private driver will pick you up at Lima airport and take you to your beautiful hotel.
  • The evening is all yours to enjoy on your own.

Meals included: -/-/-

Accommodation: Lima

2
Day 02

Flight to Trujillo and Huaca de la Luna Tour

  • You will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the airport for your flight to Trujillo (flight not included).
  • When you arrive, someone will meet you and take you to your hotel.
  • Then, your tour will begin with a visit to Huaca de la Luna in the Moche countryside. Nearby are the Temples of the Sun, made with over 100 million adobe bricks and reaching 45 meters high. Huaca de la Luna is a large temple with six layers built on top of each other. Between these two temples was the old Moche city, which was likely buried by a strong El Niño storm. Archaeologists have uncovered some houses and streets, giving new ideas about how this city was built. You will also visit the modern Huacas de Moche Museum.

Meals included: B/-/-

Accommodation: Trujillo

3
Day 03

El Brujo Archaeological Complex and Cao Museum

  • You will travel along the North Pan-American Highway to the Chicama Valley, where you will see large sugarcane fields. This valley is the biggest sugar producer in Peru, with two main factories: Cartavio and Casa Grande.
  • Before reaching the town of Chocope, you will turn west to visit El Brujo, an archaeological site with three ancient temples: Cao, Partida, and Prieta. In Huaca Prieta, a researcher found signs of people living there as early as 5000 BC.
  • At Huaca Cao, colorful wall paintings show prisoners, dancers, fishing, war, and Moche myths.
  • You will also visit a museum about the Lady of Cao, a powerful Moche woman leader whose mummy was found by archaeologists. This was a very important discovery, as people once thought only men held leadership roles in ancient Peru.

Meals included: B/-/-

Accommodation: Trujillo

4
Day 04

Chan Chan Ruins and Huanchaco

  • You will start the day by visiting the Temple of the Rainbow, also called Huaca El Dragón, from the Chimú culture (11th to 15th century AD). This square-shaped temple is surrounded by a tall wall about 6 meters high.
  • Next, you will explore the large Chan Chan archaeological site, which covers around 18 square kilometers.
  • You will visit the Tschudi Palace, now called Nik-An, one of the best-preserved parts of the site. Its walls are decorated with carvings of animals and patterns.
  • Inside, you will see plazas, shrines, grain storage areas, a meeting hall, cemeteries, and more. The day will also include a stop in Huanchaco, a traditional fishing town, where you can see the old-style reed boats still used by local fishermen.

Meals included: B/-/-

Accommodation: Trujillo

5
Day 05

Flight to Lima and Hotel Transfer

  • You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to Trujillo's airport to catch your flight to Lima (flight not included).

Meals included: B/-/-

Accommodation: Lima

6
Day 06

Fly to Cusco and Afternoon City Tour

  • Early in the morning, you will be picked up at your hotel and taken to Lima Airport for your flight to Cusco (flight not included).
  • Upon arrival in Cusco, you will be driven to your hotel. You will receive a welcome coca tea to help you acclimate.
  • In the afternoon, you will enjoy a city tour by visiting the Cathedral in the main square.
  • Then, you will see the Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha) and the Sacsayhuaman fortress, a large stone structure built by the Incas.
  • After that, you will visit Qenqo with its tunnels and canals, Puca Pucará, which was used for storage, and Tambomachay, a place for water rituals.
  • Finally, you will return to Cusco.

Meals included: B/-/-

Accommodation: Cusco

7
Day 07

Sacred Valley Tour with Pisac and Ollantaytambo

  • Early in the morning, you will begin your journey through the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
  • You will visit the popular Pisac Market, recognized for its quality crafts.
  • Lunch in Urubamba, and you will enjoy a walk through the Ollantaytambo fortress.
  • After your visit, you will head to your accommodation to rest.

Meals included: B/L/-

Accommodation: Sacred Valley

8
Day 08

The Iconic Machu Picchu and Return to Cusco

  • In the morning, you will take a train to Aguas Calientes, where you will board the bus to Machu Picchu and begin a tour of one of the 7 Wonders of the World, considered a patrimony of humanity. It is a beautiful sanctuary that served as a rest residence for the Inca Pachacutec.
  • You will have 2 hours to enjoy this spectacular site filled with history and beauty.
  • Afterward, at the scheduled time, we will return by train to Cusco.

Meals included: B/-/-

Accommodation: Cusco

9
Day 09

Transfer to Cusco Airport and Departure

  • At the designated time, your private transportation will pick you up from your hotel to take you to Cusco airport, where you will take your flight back home.

Meals included: B/-/-

Accommodation: -

Machu Picchu, The Sacred Valley of the Incas, Chan Chan, Huaca de la Luna

Where this trip takes you

Machu Picchu, The Sacred Valley of the Incas, Chan Chan, Huaca de la Luna

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Lima 8 cities · 9 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Standard category hotels (2.5 - 3 stars)
  • All guided tours (English-speaking guide)
  • According to the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
  • Private transportation (Airport - Hotel - Airport)
  • Peru Rail train ticket in Expeditions class: Ollanta / Aguas Calientes / Poroy
  • Group tour activities with shared transportation

What's Not Included

  • International flights
  • Domestic flights: from Lima to Trujillo, from Trujillo to Lima, from Lima to Cusco
  • Travel insurance
  • Optional excursions and activities not mentioned in the program
  • Meals not mentioned in the program
  • Personal expenses & tips
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • International airport fees, if applicable

What to bring

  • Passport (with photocopies)
  • Travel insurance documents
  • Credit/debit cards + some cash (Peruvian Soles)
  • Flight tickets / confirmations
  • Small daypack for excursions
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Travel adaptor (Peru uses type A/B & C plugs, 220V)
  • Lightweight t-shirts & long-sleeve shirts (for sun & bugs)
  • Fleece or warm sweater (cool nights in Cusco & Sacred Valley)
  • Waterproof jacket or rain poncho (especially for Machu Picchu)
  • Comfortable walking/hiking shoes
  • Sandals or casual shoes for the hotel
  • Lightweight trousers & shorts
  • Hat or cap (sun protection)
  • Swimwear (hotel pools or hot springs)
  • Sleepwear and underwear
  • Scarf or buff (for sun or dust)
  • Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
  • Lip balm with SPF
  • Insect repellent (with DEET or natural alternative)
  • Personal medications (with prescriptions)
  • Basic first aid kit (plasters, painkillers, Imodium)
  • Hand sanitizer & wet wipes
  • Motion sickness pills (for winding roads or flights)
  • Camera or smartphone with extra memory/charger
  • Binoculars (for archaeological sites and scenery)
  • Travel guidebook or downloaded maps
  • Notebook/journal
  • Snacks or energy bars (for day trips)
  • Trekking poles (optional for Machu Picchu)

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM), Avenida Elmer Faucett, Callao, Peru
Tour start
Lima, Peru
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 9 days finish where they began, in Lima.

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Starting from

USD 1,435 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room $1,435.00 — $1,910.00
Double Sharing $1,435.00

When

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