Duration:
8 days / 7 nights
Locations:
Cusco Machu Picchu
Rating:
★★★★★
Category:
Cultural
Difficulty:
Easy – Moderate
Minimun Required:
02 Passengers
Overview
This is a fantastic archeological tour full of culture and adventure visiting the ancient pre-Inca sites of the Chachapoyas civilization, lost in time. Jorney through Tarapoto visiting Moyobamba with its gorgeous orchids and Alta Mayo. We will visit Karajia with its incredible tombs and Gocta Falls believed to be one of the ten highest waterfalls in the world. Tour the extraordinary Kuelap compared to Machu Picchu in grandeur followed by Revash with its colorful funeral buildings located high up in a cliff. Finish off with the Laymembamba Museum housing numerous mummies and artifacts. We continue to Cajamarca where the Inca Atahualpa met with Spaniards. A great journey for people that want to venture off the beaten track.
Private Service Minimum 2 Persons
Day 1 Lima – Tarapoto – Moyobamba – Alto Mayo – Chachapoyas
Arrive in the Tarapoto airport and we will be waiting to start our tour. En route to Chachapoyas we visit Moyobamba where we will see the lovely colorful orchids and if we have time dip into the sulfur waters. Then continue to Alto Mayo and arrive in Abra Patricia, where we will observe from a natural view point the amazing typical high jungle forest. We will finally arrive in Chachapoyas to relax in our comfortable hotel.
Overnight in Chachapoyas
Lunch included
Note: Starting in October 2016 you will be able to fly from Lima to Jaen which is closer to Chachapoyas.
Day 2 Chachapoyas – Karajia – Gocta Lodge
This morning after breakfast, we will start our tour of Karajia located in the Utcubamba Valley. Once we arrive we will hike up to take a look at the Sarcophagi of Karajia which are perched up in the mountain in an inaccessible precipice. These tombs standing up to 2.5m were built by the Chachapoyas civilization to bury their important dead. The remaining six are the most intact from looters because of its location. After our visit we will continue to Gocta Lodge to spend the night.
Overnight in Gocta Lodge
Breakfast and lunch included
Day 3 Gocta Waterfalls – Chachapoyas
After a hearty breakfast, we will start a full day (5-6 hours) of moderate to semi difficult hiking. We will observe a variety of hummingbirds, birds, flowers, maybe toucans, monkeys and other species from the region. Our hike takes us to the base of the spectacular Gocta Falls known to the locals but only made known to the world after an expedition in 2005 by Stefan Ziemendorff from Germany. Delight being in the wonderful pristine Gocta Water Falls taking in vistas of the gushing running sparkling waters, feeling the cooling mist of the water falls. If you are daring, dip into the pool beneath the falls and be rejuvenated by its cooling flowing waters. We will return to the Gocta Lodge for lunch before going to Chachapoyas for the night.
Overnight in Chachapoyas
Breakfast and lunch included
Day 4 Kuelap
Today we begin our amazing hike of 6 to 7 hours to the Chachapoyas archaeological site of Kuelap (3000m/9842ft). Walk up the steep road, zigzagging up the mountain side catching lovely views of the surroundings. The fortress of Kuelap, associated with the Chachapoyas Culture is situated on a ridge overlooking the Utcubamba Valley. This site lost in time consists of enormous stone walls containing more than four hundred buildings with many of them with decorated walls and cornices or protruding friezes. Kuelap is compared in size and grandeur to Machu Picchu. We will stroll through this wondrous site exploring the past and listening to the theories of this culture. After a fascinating time, we will take a 10 minute walk to our transport for the 4 hour return trip to Chachapoyas. Spend a restful night in your hotel.
Overnight in Chachapoyas
Breakfast and lunch included
Note: Teleferico (airline cable cars) will be available in November 2016 and then it will take less time to and from Kuelap.
Day 5 Revash Funeral Complex – Leymeybamba Museum – Chachapoyas
After breakfast, we start off driving to the village of Santo Tomas crossing the river and ascending a side valley with magnificent views. There we meet our wranglers and ride on the horses up the trail to the Revash Funeral houses. The colorful funeral buildings are sitting up high on a cliff overlooking the valley. They have designs depicting people and animals. After this grand visit, we will enjoy lunch and relax. We continue to the Leymembamba Museum to see the collection of mummies, artifacts to include ceramics, textiles, wood carvings and more. Return to your hotel to relax for the night.
Overnight in Chachapoyas
Breakfast and lunch included
Day 6 Chachapoyas – Cajamarca – Inca Baths
This morning we will enjoy a scenic drive to Cajamarca enjoying the spectacular mountain views. We will visit the Inca baths thought to have been used by the Inca Atahualpa. Dip into the hot spring pools and relax. Return to your hotel for the night.
Overnight in Cajamarca
Breakfast included
Day 7 Randsom Room – Cumbemayo – Ventanillas de Otuzco
We will meet you in your hotel to start our tour full of excitement. Our first visit will be to the famous Randsom Room where Atahualpa was to fill with gold and silver for the Spaniards to negotiate his release. Afterwards, we drive to the archeological wonders of Cumbemayo. Tour the ancient aqueducts that will keep you wondering of how they were constructed because of its carefully carved stones. Afterwards, we will travel to the Ventanillas de Otuzco (little windows), the pre-Inca necropolis. It has square or retangular niches carved into the rock and were used as tombs. Return to your hotel.
Overnight in Cajamarca
Breakfast and lunch included
Day 8 Cajamarca – Lima
Transfer to the airport for your flight in the morning or late afternoon.
Breakfast included
End of Services
Extensions extra cost: Chiclayo, Trujillo and Huaraz
Services Included:
- Transfer IN/OUT
- Bilingual English speaking local guide
- trip briefing before departure
- Land transport costs.
- All meals indicated on the itinerary.
- Tours and entrances as per program
- Hotel in Chachapoyas: 4 nights
- Hotel in Gocta Lodge: 1 night
- Hotel in Cajamarca: 2 nights
Services NOT Included:
- Domestic flights: (we can book for you)
- Hotel in Lima (we can book for you)
- Any expenses incurred in preparing for the trip, such as, but not limited to, non-refundable airline tickets or trip insurance, nor additional expenses encountered as a result of flight schedule changes, delays, strikes, cancellations, missed connections, acts of God or war.
- Personal items like individual gear, personal medicines, laundry service, telephone calls, etc.
- Alcoholic drinks and anything not mentioned in the program
- Gratuities