Northern Peru holidays
Northern Peru holidays at a glance
While much of the attention goes to Machu Picchu and the Inca heartland, the north preserves an equally fascinating and often overlooked story. The region is scattered with the vestiges of civilisations whose achievements rival the Inca’s, yet remain largely unknown outside Peru.
Travelling through Northern Peru reveals a remarkably varied landscape: the Pacific coastline gives way to fertile valleys, Andean highlands and cloud forest mountains, creating a backdrop filled with archaeological surprises. Unlike Peru’s better-known tourist routes, many sites here remain quiet and well worth exploring.
Colonial cities such as Trujillo and Cajamarca, sitting at 2,750m, make comfortable bases for exploration, having preserved much of their historic character while offering access to Chan Chan Peru’s adobe pyramids, Inca baths and ceremonial aqueducts. Further inland, Kuelap Peru is reached via Chachapoyas at 2,335m, itself accessible from the port of Chiclayo – a proper journey, but one that rewards every mile.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Northern Peru
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Northern Peru contains some of the most impressive archaeological discoveries in South America, yet remains one of the continent’s least-visited cultural regions. That’s precisely what makes it so special.
When to visit Northern Peru
Northern Peru can be visited throughout the year, though conditions vary a fair amount depending on altitude and location.
These are the wettest months in the mountains; on the coast and in desert-like Trujillo temperatures are at their highest; Cajamarca celebrates Carnival enthusiastically in February.
These are transitional months in the mountains, as the rainy season comes to an end leaving lush and verdant landscapes; expect warm and sunny days in the cities close to the coast (Trujillo, Chiclayo).
The start of the dry season in the mountains, with clear, bright days and cool nights; the coast is warm and pleasant, sunny with the odd cloud.
As in southern Peru, these are the driest months; rain is unlikely and the Andean sun is strong; temperatures drop noticeably come sundown at higher altitudes. Coastal cities are temperate year round, with some cloud in the mid-winter.
These are pleasant months to visit the mountains, with plenty of daytime sunshine, more temperate nights and the odd shower; the coast is warm and pleasant, sunny with some cloud.
The rainy starts in the mountains, so showers are increasingly to be expected; on the coast temperatures rise and can be very hot by late December.
Top Things to do in Northern Peru
Northern Peru offers an extraordinary range of experiences, combining archaeology, history, nature and culture. This is a destination where ancient civilisations, dramatic landscapes and little-visited heritage sites come together to create one of Peru’s most rewarding journeys.
Climb through stunning scenery and spot wildlife on your way to Peru’s third tallest waterfall, hidden away in a remote location.
View the unique sarcophagi of ancient chieftains set into the cliff face at Karajía and the Village of the Dead.
Visit the royal tombs of Sipán and the museum housing the extraordinary artefacts that were found there.
See a collection of more than 200 mummies, discovered in a lost tomb in a remarkable state of preservation.
Take the road less travelled to visit an outstanding ancient ruin, the largest stone structure in South America.
Admire 2,500-year-old water channels in an otherworldly setting of jagged rock formations.
Accommodation in Northern Peru
Accommodation throughout northern Peru ranges from comfortable colonial hotels and characterful guesthouses to mountain lodges positioned close to the region’s most important attractions.
Current accommodation options include properties such as Gocta Andes Lodge, Casa Andina Standard Trujillo, Hotel Casa Vieja and Hostal La Casona Monsante, offering convenient access to archaeological sites and natural attractions throughout the region.
Traditional mid-range hotel in a convenient central location.
Gogta Andes Lodge is a small countryside hotel set in mountainous scenery with views of the Gocta Falls.
Modest but very spacious hotel in a carefully restored 19th century building peppered with antiques and colonial-style paintings.
Well-run hotel in a historic house dotted with antiques and knick-knacks in the centre of Chachapoyas.
Modern hacienda-style hotel with natural thermal springs in a serene setting, surrounded by pine forests on the outskirts of Cajamarca.
Hotel Xalca is a mid-range colonial-style hotel in the centre of Chachapoyas in the Peruvian Andes.
Likeable, good-value hotel with comfortable if dated rooms and very friendly and helpful staff.
Friendly, contemporary hotel offering convenient access both to the airport and to downtown Chiclayo.
The wonderful Chaparri Eco-Lodge is a 90 minute drive from Chiclayo on the coast of northern Peru. It is situated in an oasis on the Chaparri Conservation Area, a community-owned natural reserve alive with wildlife.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Holidays to Northern Peru
Group Northern Peru Tours
Our group tours follow expertly designed, well-planned routes with an experienced local guide throughout. Prefer to keep it to your own party? Book the same trips privately for four or more.
Tico Tico: Culture of the Northern Andes
Places visited: Lima · Northern Peru
15 days from £3,253
Tailor-Made Northern Peru Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Active Peru: The Santa Cruz Trek
Places visited: Lima · Northern Peru
10 days from £3,150
From Paddington to Peru
Places visited: Cusco · Lima · Machu Picchu · Sacred Valley of the Incas · Northern Peru
14 days from £4,050
Treasures of Peru: The archaeological riches of the north
Places visited: Lima · Northern Peru
15 days from £4,600
FAQs about visiting Northern Peru
Northern Peru is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When is the best time to visit Northern Peru?
Northern Peru can be visited at any time of year but unpaved roads inland can get very muddy in the rainy season Jan-Mar.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What language is spoken in Northern Peru?
The main language spoken in Northern Peru is Spanish.
- What currency do I need in Northern Peru?
The Peruvian Nuevo Sol is the main currency used in Northern Peru. Notes in local currency or US dollars can be withdrawn from ATMs in the larger towns using a UK credit or debit card. Numerous money exchange offices exchange US dollars cash (few accept euros or sterling and the rate may be poor).
- What is the time difference between Northern Peru and the UK?
The time difference between Northern Peru and the UK is GMT -5 hours.
- What does a visit to Northern Peru combine well with?
A beach wind down in Máncora, trendy but low-key sea and surf resort on the northwest coast; pre-Columbian ruins of a ceremonial centre at Pachacamac in the desert just 31 km from Lima; the Inca sites around Cusco, including Machu Picchu (1 hour flight from Lima); a trek in the Cordillera Blanca from Huaraz, mountaineering town halfway between Trujillo and Lima.
- How do I get to Northern Peru?
Frequent flights from Lima to Trujillo take 1 hour 12 mins and 1 hour 30 mins to Chiclayo or Cajamarca.
- What key events are there in Northern Peru?
National Marinera Contest; Trujillo, 2 weeks from the end of Jan. Dancing couples compete in 6 categories.
Festival de la Primavera: Trujillo, last week of Sept. Pageants, floats and parades, and a competition of riders of the famous Peruvian Caballos de Paso horses famed for their extra tripping gait.
Fiesta de la Purísima Concepción: Chiclayo, 8 days prior to Carnival and also in Sep. Celebrates the town’s patron saint, with dancing, fireworks, cock fights and sporting events.
Carnival Cajamarca in a full-on affair with processions, dances and paint-throwing.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.