Trujillo - Chiclayo - PIURA - MANCORA 13-Day Itinerary

• In-depth exploration of northern Peru's archaeologically-rich Pacific coastline.

• Pre-Columbian sites such as Sipan, Tucume, Huaca de la Luna & Chan Chan. 

• Beaches at Huanchaco, Santa Rosa, Pimentel & Vichayito.

• Traditional artisanship at Monsefu & Catacaos.

• Staying at 3 and 4* hotels in vibrant cities, renowned for culture & cuisine. 

• Private tours and transport. Daily departures.

With the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Andes mountains to the east, Peru’s coastal region is a narrow strip 2,500 km (1,554 miles) long, but only 19 to 42 km (12 to 62 miles) wide.

It is mainly arid, but there are 52 river valleys that are arable at least some of the year, and it is here that many of Peru’s pre-Columbian cultures arose, such as the Nazca-Paracas, Chimu, Moche and Sican.

We visit many of the most notable monuments of these civilisations during the course of the 13-day itinerary, such as Chan Chan and Tucume.

But it is not just about archaeology. We visit beaches in Huancayo, Pimentel and Vichayito … where there is the chance to swim with sea turtles.

We enjoy a number of modern Peruvian cities, with their Colonial vestiges; and we visit villages renowned for their craftsmanship.

The food in this part of Peru is renowned, and not surprisingly focuses on the rich ingredients to be found in the Pacific ocean: ceviches, parihuelas, causas, tiraditos and other classic seafood dishes . 

Peru’s Northern Coast Itinerary Outline

Day 1: Arrive Trujillo. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Trujillo.
Day 2: Tour to Huaca de la Luna & del Sol. Overnight in Trujillo.
Day 3: Tour to Huaca El Dragon, Chan Chan & Huanchaco. Overnight in Trujillo.
Day 4: Trujillo City Tour; Peruvian Pasos Horses Display. Overnight in Trujillo.
Day 5: Drive to Chiclayo, via El Brujo. Overnight in Chiclayo.
Day 6: Tucume & Huaca Las Balsas. Overnight in Chiclayo.
Day 7: Santa Rosa & Pimentel Beach; Monsefu. Overnight in Chiclayo.
Day 8: Huaca Rajada & Tumbas Reales Museum. Overnight in Chiclayo.
Day 9: Transfer to Piura. Overnight in Piura.
Day 10: Piura City Tour; Catacaos. Overnight in Piura.
Day 11: Transfer to Mancora. Overnight in Vichayito.
Day 12: Free Day in Vichayito. Overnight in Vichayito.
Day 13: Swim with Turtles; Transfer to airport.

Prices below are per person, based on double occupancy.

Includes all land transport, private guided excursions, entrance fees, breakfasts & some lunches.

Single occupancy rooms are available. Ask us for pricing.

13-Day Trujillo - Chiclayo - Piura - Mancora Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Trujillo (-)

You will be welcomed at the airport on arrival in Trujillo and taken, by private transport, to your centrally-located hotel.

The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the beauty of Trujillo.

Overnight at Tierra Viva Trujillo Hotel, or similar.

Day 2: Trujillo: Huacas del Sol & de la Luna (Breakfast)

Today, after breakfast, you are driven to the Moche Valley, where you will be received by a local family who are direct descendants of the ancient people who built the remarkable Sun and Moon pyramids. This was the political centre of the Moche people.

Huaca de la Luna is known for the impressive friezes on the mud-brick walls, which you will be able to see close-up.

Afterward, you will be taken to the on-site museum, which has a number of well-preserved artifacts, tools and ceramics that were found during excavation at the huacas.

Overnight at Tierra Viva Trujillo Hotel, or similar.

Day 3: Huaca El Dragon – Chan Chan – Huanchaco (Breakfast & Lunch)

Today, after breakfast, we focus on the Chimu culture. We begin by visiting Huaca El Dragon (also known as Huaca Arco Iris).

We then visit the vast archeological complex of Chan Chan, which was home to some 100,000 habitants at its apogee. Despite being built of adobe (mud brick), the lack of rainfall in the area means that it is still well-preserved.

We continue to Huanchaco, a traditional fishing village that has become a relaxed seaside resort. Here you can watch the local fishermen on their traditional caballitos de totora (reed boats).

After lunch, we return you to your Trujillo accommodation.

Overnight at Tierra Viva Trujillo Hotel, or similar.

Day 4: Trujillo City Tour; Peruvian Paso Horse & Marinera Dance Exhibition (Breakfast & Lunch)

Today, after breakfast, we take you on a tour of Trujillo city. It is renowned for its churches and beautiful Colonial mansions, with imposing portals and balconies. 

The tour includes a visit to Trujillo National University (UNT) Archaeological Museum, which gives a great overview of the region’s pre-Columbian cultures.

We then enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we take in a display of the Peruvian Paso horse, a local breed which is renowned for its comfort and grace. Such is the obedience and manoeuvrability of the breed, that they can even combine with marinera dancers for an impressive routine, celebrating two of Trujillo’s most famous products.

In the afternoon, we transfer you back to your hotel.

Overnight at Tierra Viva Trujillo Hotel, or similar.

Day 5: Trujillo – Chiclayo, via El Brujo (Breakfast)

Today, after breakfast, we transfer you in a private vehicle to the city of Chiclayo.

On the way, we will visit El Brujo, an archeological complex built overlooking the Pacific Ocean by the Moche civilisation. The centrepiece is an adobe pyramid rising 30 m (98 ft). Its walls are covered with polychrome reliefs showing many aspects of Moche life: warfare, agriculture, fishing and animals.

The excellent on-site museum contains the well-preserved mummy known as The Lady of Cao, owing to her high social status.

We then continue to Chiclayo, and the rest of the afternoon is free for personal exploration and relaxation.

Overnight at Costa del Sol Wyndham Chiclayo Hotel, or similar.

Day 6: Tucume Pyramids & Huaca las Balsas (Breakfast & Lunch)

After breakfast, we set off to Tucume, an impressive archaeological site consisting of 26 pyramids constructed by the Sican culture.

One of the most interesting pyramids is Huaca Las Balsas, at the southwest end of the site, which was built in several distinct phases, and thought to have been a residential sector as evidence of a kitchen, bedrooms and a farmyard have been discovered.

Its walls are decorated with well-preserved murals and bas-reliefs which give an insight into Sican life and beliefs.

Tucume’s Site Museum gives greater explanation of Sican civilisation, including the founding legend of Naylamp, a half-man / half-bird demigod.

We return to Chiclayo after lunch.

Overnight at Costa del Sol Wyndham Chiclayo Hotel, or similar.

Day 7: Beaches & Monsefu (Breakfast & Lunch)

Chiclayo is near the coast, but not on the coast, so today, after breakfast, we visit the nearby beaches of Santa Rosa and Pimentel.

We then go to the town of Monsefu which is known for its traditional handicrafts: weaving with cotton and straw; embroidery with gold and silver thread.

We return to Chiclayo at the end of the visit.

Overnight at Costa del Sol Wyndham Chiclayo Hotel, or similar.

Day 8: Huaca Rajada & Tumbas Reales Museum (Breakfast & Lunch)

This morning we visit Huaca Rajada, an adobe Moche pyramid where the tomb of the world-famous Lord of Sipan was discovered.

After lunch, we visit the award-winning Royal Tombs Museum in Lambayeque, which houses many of the ornaments and treasures found buried with the Lord of Sipan.

We return to Chiclayo at the end of the visit.

Overnight at Costa del Sol Wyndham Chiclayo Hotel, or similar.

Day 9: Chiclayo - Piura (Breakfast)

Today, after breakfast, we make the road journey in a private vehicle from Chiclayo to Piura. This will take approximately three hours.

After checking in to your Piura hotel, the rest of the day is free for personal exploration and relaxation.

Overnight at Casa Andina Standard Piura Hotel, or similar.

Day 10: Piura City Tour & Catacaos (Breakfast)

Today, after breakfast, we visit the main attractions of Piura, which was the first city founded by the Spanish Conquistadors when they arrived in 1532.

We drive around the Main Square to admire the Cathedral, then visit the Vicus Museum, and the well-known Casa Museo del Almirante Miguel Grau, the former home of Peru’s celebrated naval hero from the War of the Pacific (1879 - 83).

We continue 12 km (7.5 miles) to the south of Piura, to Catacaos, a picturesque, traditional town renowned for its artisanship. Here locals work with gold and silver, as well as straw, wood, leather, clay and cloth, to produce high-quality goods.

Furthermore, we visit St. John the Baptist Church, known as the ‘Sistine Chapel of Piura’ on account of its paintings and murals.

We return to our Piura accommodation at the end of the visit.

Overnight at Casa Andina Standard Piura Hotel, or similar.

Day 11: Piura - Mancora (Breakfast)

Today, after breakfast, we make the road journey in a private vehicle from Piura to Vichayito, a tiny beach resort just south of Mancora. This will take approximately three hours.

After checking in to your Vichayito hotel, the rest of the day is free for personal exploration and relaxation.

Overnight at Vichayito Bungalows & Tents, or similar, in a Superior Bungalow.

Day 12: Vichayito: Free Day  (Breakfast)

Today, the day is free to enjoy the magnificent beaches of the area, arguably the best in the whole of Peru. 

Overnight at Vichayito Bungalows & Tents, or similar, in a Superior Bungalow.

Day 13: Swimming with the Giant Turtles; Transfer to airport (Breakfast & Lunch)

Today, after breakfast, we make the short drive to the pier at Los Organos, where we board a motorboat to take us to El Ñuro. Here we can interact with sea turtles in their natural habitat.

Snorkelling equipment (mask, wetsuit & fins) and lifejacket are provided, along with a safety briefing. There is a buoy to hang on to, if you are not a confident swimmer.

After lunch, we transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima and beyond. The nearest airport is at Talara, but there are also regular flights to Lima from Piura and Tumbes.

NB. If you would like more days at Vichayito, to enjoy the beach, this can certainly be arranged.