Today we head from our hotel in Lima to the airport for our flight north to Chiclayo. Upon arrival, we’ll move directly to our hotel to check in and settle into this coastal hub, which sits surrounded by a landscape defined by massive foundations and earthen works. This transition provides an immediate look at the advanced planning and construction required to manage these desert environments, setting the stage for our surveys of the region.

In the afternoon, we head out to Huaca Rajada to examine the platform mounds and the specific adobe work where the remains of the Lord of Sipán were located. We’ll visit the museum on-site to view the artifacts and craftsmanship found within these structures, which suggest a highly organized and very distant era of construction. We’ll then return to our hotel for the night, giving us a chance to settle in and prepare for a closer look at the other massive pyramids and ceremonial centers found throughout the valley.

Today we head to the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum, a facility specifically built to house the significant finds recovered from the excavations at Huaca Rajada. We will spend the morning examining the sophisticated craftsmanship and materials found within those structures, which provide an immediate look at the advanced planning and organization of a very distant era. The scale and complexity of the items belonging to the Lord of Sipan highlight a level of precision that defines this entire coastal region, offering a deeper perspective on the monumental foundations we are surveying.

In the afternoon, we move toward the vast site of Túcume to observe dozens of massive pyramids that dominate the desert landscape. These structures, along with the adobe works found in the nearby Bosque de Pómac, suggest a highly organized and ancient effort to manage the environment on a grand scale. We’ll return to our hotel in Chiclayo for the night, giving us a chance to settle in and prepare for our journey further into the northern valleys to see more of these massive works.

Today we head south from Chiclayo toward the city of Trujillo. After leavint the city we will first visit a site known as El Tablazo. This is a largely unexcavated location without much documentation, offering a rare opportunity to observe remnants of construction that have not been touched on in traditional research. The presence of these works in the desert landscape provides an immediate look at the advanced planning and construction required to manage this environment during a very distant era of activity.

In the afternoon, we move toward the El Brujo complex to examine the monumental structures of Huaca Prieta and the site associated with the Lady of Cao. We’ll visit the museum to see the remarkably preserved remains of this powerful figure, whose elaborate tattoos and ceremonial regalia suggest a high level of status and influence. After exploring the relief work and the massive platform mounds that sit near the edge of the Pacific, we continue our drive to Trujillo to check into our hotel for the night, settling in to prepare for a closer look at the massive adobe works found in the Moche Valley.

Today we visit the massive adobe city of Chan Chan, a sprawling complex defined by high walls and intricate labyrinths that cover a vast area of the Moche Valley. We’ll walk through the ceremonial plazas and corridors to examine the detailed clay reliefs and the sophisticated urban planning required to maintain such an expansive center. The scale of these earthen foundations provides an immediate look at the advanced engineering used to manage this coastal environment during a highly organized and very distant era of construction.

In the afternoon, we move toward the massive platform structures known as the Huacas of the Sun and Moon. We’ll examine the towering heights of these works and the vibrant mural fragments that remain, which suggest a long and complex history of building and rebuilding on the same site. After a stop in the coastal town of Huanchaco to observe the traditional reed boats and the Pacific shoreline, we’ll return to our hotel in Trujillo for the night.

Today we depart Trujillo and head south toward Casma, traveling through the rugged desert corridors that link the northern valleys. Upon arrival, we’ll head to our hotel to drop our bags and settle into this coastal plain, which is home to some of the most specialized stone and adobe architecture in the region.

In the afternoon, we head out to visit the complex of Chankillo and the nearby site of Sechin. We’ll examine the thirteen stone towers at Chankillo, which are precisely positioned along a ridge to track the solar cycle, as well as the monolithic stone carvings that define the exterior walls at Sechin. The sheer age and technical execution of these sites suggest a highly organized society focused on astronomical precision and monumental masonry. We’ll return to our hotel in Casma for the evening, providing a chance to rest before we begin our ascent toward the high-altitude sites of the interior.

Today we depart from the coast and begin our climb into the towering peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. The drive follows a winding route that gains significant elevation, shifting from the arid desert plains into the high-altitude landscapes of the interior. This transition into the mountains provides a direct look at the rugged terrain and the logistical effort required to move between the Pacific and the high valleys of the Andes.

Upon reaching Huaraz, we’ll check into our hotel and focus entirely on resting to allow our bodies to acclimatize to the altitude. Spending the afternoon in this mountain hub is essential for adjusting to the thin air, as we are now positioned at the foot of some of the highest snow-capped peaks in the region. We’ll take the evening to settle in and prepare for the upcoming surveys of the fascinating complexes located further up in these high valleys.

Today we navigate the high mountain passes to reach Chavín de Huántar, a complex defined by its massive stone terraces and subterranean galleries. We’ll spend the morning exploring the internal labyrinth of tunnels and the granite masonry that makes up the core of this site, observing the precision of the drainage systems and the strategic placement of the monolithic elements. The sheer scale of the blocks moved to this high-altitude location reflects a sophisticated mastery of engineering and a highly organized effort to create a major center in the heart of the mountains.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit the site museum to examine the intricate stone carvings and the large-scale “cabezas clavas” that were once integrated into the temple walls. The artifacts and craftsmanship found here provide a closer look at the complex motifs and high-level stone-working techniques used during this very distant era of construction. After our survey of the galleries and the museum, we’ll make the return journey to Huaraz for the night, settling back into our hotel to rest after a full day in the high valleys.

Today we visit the Ancash Archaeological Museum in Huaraz to examine one of the largest collections of stone monoliths in the region. We’ll spend the morning observing the intricate carvings and the varied styles of stonework recovered from the surrounding valleys, which provide a closer look at the advanced craftsmanship found throughout the highlands. This collection offers a clear perspective on the diverse techniques used to shape granite and other hard stones before we head out to see these styles in situ.

In the afternoon, we move to the nearby sites of Wilcahuain and Huallac to explore their massive stone structures. Wilcahuain is particularly notable for its multi-story construction and heavy slab roofing, which demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of structural load and mountain engineering. We’ll examine the masonry and internal chambers of these sites, which sit in the shadow of the Cordillera Blanca, before returning to our hotel in Huaraz for our final night in the high mountains.

Today we leave the high peaks of the Cordillera Blanca and begin our descent back toward the Pacific coast. The drive takes us from the mountain heights down through the winding river valleys, eventually reaching the arid Supe Valley. This transition highlights the dramatic shift in geography between the high-altitude stone centers and the ancient earthen foundations of the coastal plains.

In the afternoon, we visit the Sacred City of Caral, one of the oldest known urban centers in the Americas. We’ll spend time examining the massive circular plazas and the pyramid-like structures that define this sprawling complex, observing how the layout integrates ceremonial life with the desert environment. Following our survey of Caral, we move to the nearby site of Peñico to explore its ceremonial platforms and the unique reliefs in the “Hall of the Pututos.” These structures provide a closer look at the local masonry and the early social organization of the valley. After exploring both sites, we’ll head to our lodge in the Supe Valley to settle in and rest, positioned right in the heart of this ancient landscape.

Today we focus on the maritime origins of the Supe and Huaura valleys, examining the coastal centers that supported the inland urban networks. We begin at Aspero, the port city linked to Caral, where we’ll observe the ceremonial mounds and sacrificial offerings that highlight the site’s deep connection to the Pacific. From there, we move to Vichama to see its remarkably preserved high-relief carvings, which depict a narrative of climate struggle and survival, offering a rare glimpse into the early history of the people who lived here.

In the afternoon, we conclude our survey at Bandurria to explore its massive shell middens and early circular plazas, which represent some of the oldest monumental architecture in the region. After visiting these final coastal sites, we begin the drive south along the Pan-American Highway. We’ll navigate the final leg of our journey through the desert landscape and return to Lima in the evening to check into our hotel, reflecting on the diverse range of masonry, engineering, and environments we’ve documented throughout the trip.

Today marks the conclusion of our main tour of the northern coastal and highland sites.For those heading home, you will be transferred to Jorge Chavez International Airport according to your scheduled flight. For those continuing the expedition, today serves as the transition to our tour extension. We will begin the next phase of the journey, heading north to explore the high-altitude architecture of Cajamarca and the fortified mountain citadels of Chachapoyas, where we will examine the unique cliffside constructions and limestone masonry of the cloud forest.

This morning we fly from Lima to Cajamarca, transitioning from the coast to the northern highlands. After checking into our hotel and allowing time to adjust to the elevation, we will spend the afternoon examining the specific masonry styles and hydraulic works found within the valley. We begin at the Cuarto de Rescate, a structure defined by its precise, interlocking stone blocks and characteristic trapezoidal features. We’ll observe the technical execution of this masonry and how it differs from other regional styles.

Next, we move to the Baños del Inca to examine the thermal springs and the stone-lined basins. The integration of these springs into the site’s layout highlights a sophisticated approach to water management and stone construction. We’ll conclude the afternoon at the Archaeological Museum, where we can review a collection of artifacts and stone carvings recovered from the area, providing a broader look at the craftsmanship and technical range found in this part of the highlands. Finally we will return to our hotel where we will have the rest of the evening free.

Today we head into the high-altitude landscape surrounding Cajamarca to examine some of the most impressive hydraulic and stone-cut features in the region. We begin at Cumbemayo, situated at approximately 3,500 meters. The site is defined by an intricate canal system carved directly into the living volcanic rock. These channels follow a precise path for several miles, incorporating sharp, zigzagging angles engineered to manage water flow with remarkable accuracy. We will also explore the “Stone Forest” of Los Frailones—massive natural rock formations that surround the area and appear to have been integrated into the site’s structural layout.

In the afternoon, we visit the rock shelters of Callacpuma, located along a massive limestone ridge. This site features a vast array of geometric motifs and carvings, showing how the natural rock surfaces were utilized and modified. We then continue to the Ventanillas de Otuzco, where we will observe a large-scale necropolis carved into the volcanic cliff face. These “windows” consist of hundreds of individual niches worked directly into the rock, demonstrating a highly organized and repetitive method of stone excavation. The combination of precision hydraulic engineering, rock art, and monolithic excavation provides a comprehensive look at the diverse technical capabilities found in this valley. We return to Cajamarca in the evening to relax and enjoy the city.

Today is a full day of travel as we move deep into the heart of the northern Andes. The drive from Cajamarca to Chachapoyas is one of the most geographically diverse routes in the country, taking us through a series of dramatic climate zones. We begin by descending into the depths of the Marañón Canyon, crossing the powerful river that serves as a primary tributary to the Amazon. The descent and subsequent climb out of the canyon offer a clear view of the sheer verticality of the landscape—a factor that defined how the ancient inhabitants of this region moved and built.

As we ascend into the cloud forest region, the dry mountain air gives way to lush, green peaks and steep ridges. This journey is essential for understanding the isolation and strategic positioning of the “cloud forest” complexes we will be exploring over the coming days. We’ll arrive in the town of Chachapoyas in the evening and check into our hotel. Situated at a lower altitude than Cajamarca but surrounded by steep, mist-covered mountains, Chachapoyas serves as our base for reaching the high-altitude citadels and cliff-side structures of the region.

Today we explore how the vertical landscape of the cloud forest was used for high-altitude placement and the preservation of those who lived here. We head first to Karajía, where a series of massive, human-shaped sarcophagi stand on a narrow ledge high up a sheer cliff face. These figures, some standing over two meters tall, were engineered from a composite of clay and stone and anchored into the rock in a location that seems almost impossible to access. Their positioning allows them to overlook the valley while remaining completely protected from the elements.

In the afternoon, we return to the city to visit the The Kingdom of the Clouds Museum. This collection focuses specifically on the material culture and burial traditions of the Chachapoyas people. We will examine the artifacts, textiles, and scale models that illustrate how these cliffside societies engineered their settlements and ceremonial spaces within the rugged topography of the Amazonian Andes. Exploring this collection provides the necessary context for the monolithic figures we observed earlier in the day. We conclude the afternoon with time to enjoy the local atmosphere of Chachapoyas before our evening rest.

Today we visit Kuelap, one of the most massive and imposing stone complexes in the Americas. Perched on a ridge at 3,000 meters, the site is encased in a colossal perimeter wall that reaches heights of up to 20 meters, constructed from hundreds of thousands of precisely cut limestone blocks. We’ll enter the citadel through one of the high, narrow tapered passages and explore the interior, which contains over 400 circular stone structures.

The sheer volume of stone moved to this mountain ridge is staggering, and the engineering required to stabilize such a massive weight on a steep incline is a central focus of our visit. We’ll examine the intricate friezes and the unique “inverted cone” architecture of the ceremonial buildings, which stand as a testament to a highly sophisticated building tradition that thrived in the vertical world of the cloud forest. After spending the day exploring the scale and detail of this high-altitude city, we return to Chachapoyas for our final evening.

After breakfast, you will be transfered to the airport to catch your connecting flight out of the region. Upon arrival in Lima, you will be able to connect with your international flight home or continue with any independent travel plans. Our team will assist with the logistics of the transfer to ensure a smooth connection. We hope you go home with lasting memories of our exploration of Northern Peru!