Northern Peru Sample Itinerary: How To Plan Your Adventure

stone circular buildings

Northern Peru is the most difficult part of the country for crafting an itinerary. This region is huge (Peru is at its widest in its northern part), and you can’t easily access major cities. So it took some creativity to create this 10-day Northern Peru sample itinerary.

This itinerary can be used to mix-and-match with others. It’s a great way to see the jungle, mountains, and coast of Northern Peru. And you won’t feel you’re inside a bus the whole time. Finally, it’s perfect if you want to visit nearby Ecuador afterwards.

If you have more than 10 days, then check out additional options for Mancora, Iquitos, and Chachapoyas, too!

Don’t Miss The Top Experiences

Days 1-3: The Waters & Jungle of Tarapoto

Hop on the 1 hour, 20 minute flight from Lima to the jungle town of Tarapoto. Northern Peru is gigantic. So it’s hard to fit in a jungle trip if you just have 10 days. Because of this Tarapoto is an excellent option. It offers great adventure experiences and is relatively close to your next stop.

top experiences in tarapoto

  • Partying hard during happy hour at the Street of Stones (Calle de las Piedras)
  • Rafting the Mayo River
  • Having your choice of hikes to waterfalls: Huacamaillo (12 km/7.5 miles from town); Ahuashiyacu (15 km/9.3 miles out); Pucayaquillo (22 km/13.7 miles); or Carpishuyacu (34 km/21 miles).
  • Hiking the Alto Shilcayo route in the Cordillera Escalera Regional Conservation Area. This starts only 600 meters (1,969 feet) from the town’s main plaza
  • Checking out the medieval style castle of Lamas.

where to stay in tarapoto

To get a better appreciation of the jungle, check out Cordillera Escalera Ecolodge.

Days 4-7: Chacha Chillin’

Northern Peru sample itinerary: restored building at Kuelap
Restored building at Kuelap

Catch a van or bus (they start leaving at 6:30AM) to arrive to Chachapoyas early afternoon. “Chacha” is a charming, walkable, cobblestoned town. It’s surrounded by excellent history and adventure opportunities.

Close to Chacha are Peru’s tallest waterfalls and pre-Incan cities located above the clouds (Chachapoyas translates to “warriors of the clouds”). Also there are famous, mysterious mummies. And that’s all just the start.

The city is 2,335 meters above sea level (7,661). So I recommend taking it easy on your first day.

top experiences in chachapoyas

  • Day hike to some of the highest falls in Peru, Gocta or Yumbilla
  • Take the cable car to the Chachapoyas’ culture’s main citadel, Kuelap
  • Hike to the mysterious sarcophagi of Karajia
  • Visit the museum and mummies of Leymebamba
  • Walk around the canyon of Huanca next door to Chachapoyas
  • Eat a classic local snack from the market- popcorn with ants!
  • Take the Coffee Route (Ruta de Café) and explore specialty coffee shops in town
Sarcophagi of Karajia
entrance to cafe in Chachapoyas, peru
A delicious stop along Chachapoyas’ Coffee Route!
Northern Peru sample itinerary: pretty girl holding fruit at a market.
There are a TON of exotic fruits to try in Chacha and Tarapoto

where to chill in chacha

When we visited Chachapoyas we loved Casa Hospedaje Teresita. That’s because the location was great, the rooms were comfy, and the people were warm.

Days 8-9: Sipán & Surf in Chiclayo

4 palm trees with 2 bicycles and a boat and ocean in background. Pimentel beach, peru

Finish your trip enjoying delicious seafood, popular beaches, and archaeological wonders! If you can, take the night bus from Chachapoyas to save a day of travel.

top experiences in chiclayo

  • Surfing at the beaches of Pimentel and Puerto Eten
  • Exploring the Valley of Pyramids at Túcume
  • Visiting one of the top-ranked museums in the world to see the Señor de Sipan
  • Eating, souvenir shopping, and seeing a cultural show at nearby Monsefú
Puerto Eten
Tomb at the Señor de Sipan musem

where to stay in chiclayo

Most of the options in Chiclayo are standard hotels. I found well-run ecolodges hard to find. So we stayed at Casa Andina. It has a pool and an UNBEATABLE Peruvian breakfast buffet.

Day 10: Back to Lima

Fly or bus to Lima. Alternatively, take a bus or plane to the hotspot of Máncora or Cuenca, Ecuador. (See “add ons: if you have more time” below)

Northern Peru Sample Itinerary Add-ons: If You Have More Time

Reed boats next to the ocean at sunset with pier in background. Huanchaco, Peru.
Local have used these reed boats at Huanchaco for centuries! They fish and surf with these “caballitos de totora”. And you’ll spot these at the beaches near Chiclayo, too.

There are some great adventure options near each of these locations if you have a few extra days. For this reason, add one of these to your trip if you have more time:

Iquitos: Boat it Up

Instead of flying to Tarapoto, boat to Iquitos from Pucallpa. Spend some days in the world’s largest non-road accessible city. Also check out the pink dolphins and Amazonian rivers at Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.

To arrive to Tarapoto from Iquitos take a 12 hr ferry from Nauta to Yurimaguas. From Yurimaguas, Tarapoto is a 2-3 hour car ride.

Condor Lake: Combine Cool & Creepy Near Chachapoyas

Take a multiday hike from Chachapoyas. The Laguna de los Condores trek takes you to tombs abandoned over 500 years ago. This hike is based around a beautiful lake. And you’ll explore 18 ancient gravesites.

Máncora Option

Take the 5hr bus ride from Chiclayo to Mancora or nearby beaches. Máncora is a party and surf capital in the Northern coast. Check out quieter spots just north or south of the town if party towns aren’t your vibe.

Beach It Up!

If you return to Lima from Chiclayo, break up the 14.5 hour bus ride with multiple stops along the coast. Consider Huanchaco (get off at Trujillo, a 15 minute taxi ride away) or Casma. Just outside of Lima are the amazing beaches and hot springs of Norte Chico, too.

Best Time to Visit Northern Peru

Try to avoid the rainy season from November through April. Especially avoid the rainiest months, January and February. Transportation can be dangerous, and towns in general shut down in these months.

Since the coast is a desert, this only applies to the Andes and jungle.

Conclusion

I hope this Northern Peru sample itinerary helps you in trip planning!

Message me at GringoInca@gmail.com if you have questions.

Surfing in Mancora

woman surfing in Mancora.

Surfing Party Waves in Mancora

Years ago, the parties were fewer and the surfing in Mancora drew in most visitors. Today it’s a mini-mecca for backpackers in addition to beach lovers. There are cafes, international restaurants (few places in Peru have Thai food), and also tried-and-true surf spots. Some might say the current Mancora is kitsch; others say it just has more flavor now

If you take the tediously long busride from Lima to Peru’s northern coast, you’ll see the desert stubbornly but surely give way to palms and other tropical trees. Step off the bus at any of the stops and you’ll feel the warmth of the nearly equatorial sun brighten your senses. The grey of Lima dissipates from memory. You’ll wonder why you were crazy enough to be on a bus for 20+ hours. And you’ll second-guess if the relatively few dollars saved was worth it. 

But all that melts away when you FINALLY get to the beaches such as Mancora. Here you can surf and dance away the stress from being inside that closed box on wheels. The excellent surfing opportunities, endless parties, and perfect sunsets make this part of Peru unique. 

Hang 10! (or even 11)- What to Do in Mancora

Obviously, surfing is the name of the game in Mancora. Some of the best spots in the country are in & around town. You don’t need a wetsuit, unlike the beaches near Lima. Rentals are easy to find as well.

For nearby surf spots, check out Cabo Blanco, Lobitos, Los Organos and Zorritos. Cabo Blanco is said to have the best left-breaking curve in the world. Los Organos is unique in that it has white sand and is a popular fishing spot, too. Lobitos is also famous for its tubes, and is popular for windsurfing too. And the surfer’s paradise of Zorritos is the northernmost, so its waters are the warmest. All of these are within an hour’s drive of Mancora. 

Check out the town of Fernandez if you’re itching for a hike. The town’s dry forest and waterfall are popular attractions. 

There are other water activities in Mancora such as kitesurfing and banana boats, too. At sunset it’s popular to take a horse ride along the shore. Last but not  least, the body surfing is ideal.

horses and straw roofs on Peruvian beach.By Theodore Scott from Houston, USA - P1020365, CC BY 2.0, //commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4788011

How to Get There

The best way to get to Mancora is to steadily make your way up the coast, stopping at beaches like Huancacho in La Libertad to break up the journey. Otherwise it’s a 21-hour bus ride from Lima, and it costs S/ 150-200 for a good seat that reclines all the way. Trust me, you do not want to skimp on the seat.

Mancora is also 8 hours from Guayaquil, Ecuador and 4 from the department capital, Piura. Oltursa and Cruz del Sur provide these bus routes. But If you’re low on time, the most efficient route is to fly to Piura from Lima. The flight takes less than 2 hours.

DestinationTrip Length (Hours)Cost (Soles)
Guayaquil7-8S/ 70-80
Lima21-22S/ 200
Piura4S/ 30-80
sunset over a pier with boats and palm trees in Mancora

Where Should You Stay?

There are lots of party hostels and bungalows in Mancora, at various price ranges. The classic backpacker stop, Loki del Mar, is beach-adjacent with its own pool and bar. The bar is great, the party doesn’t stop, and the crowd is active and lively.

If you want a more relaxed vibe, there’s Psygon surf camp, which has a good reputation.

You should reserve in advance, since Mancora is the most popular beach destination in Peru.

The Final Say If You Go Surfing In Mancora

Surfers approaching the waters on a sunny beach day in Northern Peru

Mancora is warm, dry, and sunny year-round. The exception is during El Nino years, when torrential rains can drench the northern Peruvian coast from April to October.

Mancora attracts a lot of tourists, and unfortunately, this can mean pickpockets too. For this reason I recommend being mindful of one’s belongings, especially in large crowds or when alcohol is involved. 

Mancora is located in the department of Piura, which claims to have the best ceviche in all of Peru. I can verify that they deserve this claim. So definitely have a great ceviche mixto with a beer to pass an early afternoon! 

Of course, bring what you normally would for a wet, sunny adventure. At least have a swimsuit and sunblock.

Ready to Make An Itinerary?

You can make Máncora part of your trip to Northern Peru. If that interests you, here’s a link to our sample itinerary for Northern Peru.

Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the sun!!

Itinerary for Peru- Your Awesome Online Guide

Why should you start your itinerary for Peru right now?

Well, if you want it, Peru probably has it. World class hikes, of all types of length and adventure? Check. Indigenous traditions and ancient cultures? Yup. Awe-inspiring nature and outdoor activities? You bet.

And to keep you energized throughout all that, it’s even a globally-recognized food destination.

So Peru is an excellent destination for adventure. It’s also perfect for appreciating nature and different cultures. Many visitors describe parts of their trips as spiritual for these reasons.

Plus, I’d say it’s the best country to cure anxiety and self-doubt that arise from boring office jobs.

If you’re interested in ever visiting Peru, this website will help plan your trip. First, this article will go over background and basic need-to-know travel information.

Afterwards, I recommend selecting a region to start with. That’s because Peru is so large, you might only have time to visit one area. For this reason I’ve written adventure guides for each: The North, Central, and Southern Peru.

Here is all you need to break the boring routine of daily life and start your itinerary for Peru:

sign with clouds and cliff

Why You Need An Itinerary for Peru

Peru has been climbing in status for adventure travel (and for checking off bucket lists) since relative stability entered the country in the early 2000’s. The great majority of tourism is funneled to the southern region of the country.

Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Manu, Lake Titicaca, the Nazca Lines, and Arequipa are all in the southern region. So is the more-recently “discovered” backpacker haven of Huacachina and the Instagram-famous Rainbow Mountain.

The country has been earning accolades and superlatives at an astonishing pace. National Geographic considers several of the treks there among the very best in the world. The jungle of Manu has the highest level of biodiversity ever recorded. There are more tropical galciers in Peru than any other country.

The country is also recognized as the South American food capital, and Lima now competes with New York City and Paris for the most number of restaurants in the top 10 world rankings. And this isn’t even a complete list!

When I first arrived to Peru, it was my first time out of the United States. Peace Corps sent me to a small village on the top of the mountain in the Andes of Lima, and my life was never the same. Now I can’t imagine my life without knowing Peru; it opened my eyes to new perspectives and adventures that other parts of the world can’t offer.

It can do the same for you.

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Courtney Prather (channel)

How to Start Your Itinerary for Peru

Popular Destinations to Visit in Peru

To decide which destinations to visit, focus on one region of Peru at a time; the south, central, or north. Start out by knowing how limited you are timewise. Time will likely be the most limiting factor for any itinerary for Peru.

For example, don’t visit more than two regions if you only have a week (and even that is tight). Otherwise you’ll find yourself spending a lot more money on plane tickets or much more time in buses than you may like (Peru is the size of 3 Californias!). So I recommend figuring out what you absolutely have to see, and work from there.

If you definitely want to start with the big-ticket destinations like Cuzco, Machu Picchu, and Sacred Valley in the South, here’s an overview on Southern Peru.

Other Excellent Destinations

For a long-overlooked region that deserves consideration for any Peru itinerary, check out Central Peru. This is home to old German colonies in the jungle, rural communities holding on to traditional ways of life in the Andes, and beaches and hikes just a day’s trip from Lima.

The Andes and jungle of this region have been recognized for holding onto their ancient customs a bit longer. Here you’ll be off the beaten path where only a few intrepid backpackers, Peruvian and international, venture. It’s a great place to reset your perspective and take in unbelievable landscapes and cultural experiences.

And last, but definitely not least, Northern Peru, including its beaches, has been gaining in popularity over the past few years, yet is far from being overrun by tourists. The cultures of Northern Peru left behind pyramids on the coast and fortresses in the clouds, and all are worthy of consideration.

The North also has the country’s tallest waterfalls and large lakes for hiking opportunities. Peruvians from other regions often admit the North has the best food, too (a hard thing to admit!).

Top Experiences by Region

Here are the top activities in each region of Peru to help you figure out what to consider for your itinerary:

Southern Peru

  • Machu Picchu, Cuzco and the Inca Trail
    • If you’re looking for something less populated with Gringos, there are several great Inca trail alternatives that get you to Machu Picchu with similar sights and experiences, such as the Lares, Salkantay, and Extreme Inca hikes
  • The mountain made famous by Instagram, Rainbow Mountain in Cuzco 
  • Hiking in Arequipa, such as the El Misti volcano or Colca Canyon to see the condors in action
  • Sandboarding Cerro Blanco (near Nazca) or dune buggying in Huacachina
  • Staying in an ecolodge in the Amazon jungle
  • Getting mesmerized by the world’s highest freshwater lake and the fascinating night sky at Lake Titicaca
  • Flying over the Nazca Lines
itinerary for peru
Photo by Ashim D’Silva on Unsplash

Central Peru

  • Visiting the museums of Lima
  • Eating food in Lima
  • Day tripping to surf spots north and south of Lima
  • Taking a side trip from Lima to the waterfalls of Matucana and the mysterious rock formations of Marcahuasi
  • Going deep into the Andes to the culture- and artesian-rich bastions of Huancavelica and Huancayo
  • Eating German food, drinking Peruvian coffee, ziplining, and birdwatching in the Central Jungle
  • Dipping in the frigid waters of the cascades in Nor-Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve 
  • Doing an ancient Incan hike to the sacred mountain Pariacaca from Tanta in the Nor-Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve
Jungle scene from Central Peru
Photo by Hans Luiggi on Unsplash

Northern Peru

  • Exploring world-class treks and glaciers in Huaraz
  • Enjoying the ever-more popular sites of Chachapoyas: the ancient fortress of Kuelap, the waterfalls of Gocta and Yumbilla (2 of the highest in the world!), mysterious sarcophagi overlooking hikers, and various multi day hikes to archaeological sites and lakes
  • Visiting Iquitos, the largest non-road accessible city in the world, by boat
  • Surfing or just chilling in the coast of Northern Peru
  • Checking out ancient Moche pyramids and the giant Chimu city of Chan Chan
  • Visiting the top-10 globally ranked museum of Sipan
  • Eating ceviche
  • Partying on the beach in Mancora

Common Questions for Peru

So now we’ve gone over basic information to start your itinerary for Peru. In addition, let’s check out the most common traveler’s questions for Peru:

itinerary for peru. Turquoise lake with snowcapped mountain in background, with 1 rowboat in lake
Lake Paron near Huaraz, in Ancash, Peru
Photo by Aline Rodrigues on Unsplash

When to Go to Peru

The peak season for Peru is from June through August. This coincides with the dry season in the Andes and much of the jungle. You may find good deals in the shoulder season during the months of April, May, or October. 

Lima is grey and dry all year except from late November through March, when it is warm and sunny. The rest of the coast is sunny year-round.

Budgeting

No matter your budget, you can make an itinerary for Peru. You can find a hostel for S/ 10-15 per night. Or end up paying US-style rates to be spoiled by the big chains and expensive hotels. 

Day-to-day costs are intermediate but considerably lower than in the US, UK, and Canada. 

Prices in peru

The Peruvian Nuevo Sol tends to be worth about 1/3 of a US dollar.

Food & drink

  • Set price lunches at menus can cost S/ 10 or less and include an appetizer and juice. 
  • A liter of Cusquena beer can go from S/ 5 at a store to over S/ 10 at some restaurants.
  • Freshly squeezed juice goes for S/ 1 at city markets and sidewalks
mist coming over stone structures with green peak in background. Machu Picchu

transportation

  • Uber and Easy Taxi operate in Lima and can be cheaper (and safer) than haggling on the street. A taxi from the airport to most touristy areas of Lima goes from S/ 40-70 depending on the time of day. Cross-city costs up to S/ 15, also depending on traffic. The intracity buses are very complicated but charge up to S/ 5. I prefer the Metropolitano, a series of efficient buses that costs S/ 2.50 per trip. This goes through the neighborhoods of Barranco, Miraflores, San Isidro, and the center of the city (Lima Centro).
  • Minibuses for intracity trips in cities outside of Lima charge up to S/ 3, depending on length of travel. Taxis are also cheaper outside of Lima. Many towns have mototaxis which are more rickety but cheaper, at maximum 2-3 soles per person. They are best for shorter trips.
  • Intercity bus rides of 6+ hours have different levels of service. You can find tickets for basic seats and service for as little as S/ 30. But a fully 180 degree reclining seat can go for S/ 100+ for overnight journeys. These prices depend greatly on the destination. 

Note: Prices for everything spike during Holy Week, Independence Day (July 28th), and the last half of December.

Currency

The Peruvian Nuevo Sol is symbolized as S/. It is normally worth about one-third of a US dollar.

Languages

Peru has several official languages, the most common of which are Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara. Spanish is spoken widely throughout the country. Quechua is common in the Andes and Aymara is almost exclusively spoken in the region of Puno around and in Lake Titicaca.

Vaccinations For Peru

This is per the United States’ Center for Disease Control, PHAC, and WHO’s recommendations:

  • All visitors should have routine vaccinations up to date
  • All visitors should have their measles and yellow fever vaccinations
  • They also recommend visitors to get the vaccinations for typhoid, hepatitis A and hepatitis B
  • If going to the jungle, talk to a doctor about preventing malaria 
  • Travelers should consider a rabies shot if they are doing adventure travel, caving, will be working with animals, or are going to remote areas

Let’s Start Your Itinerary for Peru Now

Are you already picturing your trip?  First, let’s decide on where to visit in Peru: Check out what to do in the South, North or Central.

I developed these adventure guides to help you get the most out of your time traveling, and to save you from hours of time spent researching and planning.

Comment below: What’s your inspiration for travel? When do you want to visit Peru?

Let’s start your adventure today!