Arrival in Lima, reception and transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the morning flight to Trujillo. Reception and transfer to your hotel. Free day to explore Trujillo, the third largest city in Peru, at your own leisure.

After breakfast, a guided visit to the metropolis of Chan-Chan, the ancient capital city of the Chimu Empire. It is the largest pre-Columbian city in South America, built entirely of mud and adobe brick. A stop is made at Huaca Dragon to visit this restored, pyramidal shaped adobe temple consecrated to the rainbow, and with beautiful bas-reliefs. A visit to the small nearby archaeological museum concludes the tour. Return to your hotel.

Short journey by bus to Chiclayo. Reception and transfer to your hotel. Trip to the wonderful Brunning museum, housing artefacts from several cultures. Lunch followed by a visit to both the Sipan and Sican museums. The day concludes with a visit to the Tucume complex, where over 26 pyramids are located. Return to your hotel.

Long journey by bus to Cajamarca. Reception and transfer to your hotel. Free evening.

Full day excursion to Cumbemayo, some 20 km outside of the town and the site of ancient, pre-inca channels engraved into the mountainside. The ducts were built by the old Cajamarca culture. Return to Cajamarca.

Day of leisure to enjoy the town, famous for in 1532, Pizarro imprisoned and subsequently executed Inca Atahualpa, bringing to an end the Inca Nation. A chance to visit the thermal baths at Banos del Inca. Optional visit to the pre-inca graveyards of Otuzco, carved into the hillside and dating back to over 1000BC.

After breakfast, bus journey to Chachapoyas, the capital of the Amazonas department. Arrival and transfer to your hotel.

A full day's tour starting in the valley of Utcubamba heading towards the village of Lamud. From here, at a distance, you can see the standing mud coffins of Lamud decorated with anthropomorphic reliefs and with feline paws and human heads. The Sachapuyans, after placing the coffins in these strategic locations on the cliffs, destroyed the paths which led to them thus avoiding any disturbance of their dead. After lunch, return to Chachapoyas.

Early departure from Chachapoyas to Tingo. Ascent to the ruins of Kuelap, the huge fortress dominating the skyline above the Amazonas landscape and hailed as the Machu Picchu of Northern Peru. To get a good view of the whole complex, a climb to the Kuelap watch-tower, where the gigantic outer walls and the whole extension of this former fortress can be fully appreciated. In the afternoon, return to Tingo and then to Chachapoyas. Accommodation.

After breakfast, return to Chiclayo by bus. Reception and transfer to the hotel.

Trip to Piura, the most northerly city in Peru. Reception and transfer to your hotel. City tour of Piura, the first Peruvian city established by the colonising Spanish.

Day trip to Catacaos, the artisan capital of Northern Peru. Splendid opportunity to observe gold and silver jewels being crafted by the local artisans.

A visit to Sechua, just south of Piura and home to one of the driest deserts in the world. Visit to nearby Lake Napique, home to many flamingos and other bird species. Transfer to the airport for the return flight back to Lima.

Leisurely day with plenty of opportunity for shopping before your transfer to the airport and your return flight home.