Welcome to the dreamland of Peru

For all those who love archaeology, history, culture and nature, North Peru, which is not as overcrowded as the south, offers spectacular sites. Some of the most significant  and astonishing pre-Inca civilizations - the Mochica, Lambayeque, Chimu and Chachapoyas cultures - settled on the Northern coast and highlands between the 1st and 15th century AD, achieving amazing mastery and sophistication in architecture, irrigation, agriculture, metallurgy, pottery, wall paintings and friezes.

Close to Trujillo, the third largest city of Peru, you will visit Chan Chan, the world´s biggest mud brick citadel and ancient capital of the Chimu kingdom.  Just 3 hours north, in the department of Lambayeque, the famous Mochica tomb of the Lord of Sipan was discovered in 1987 and is considered to contain the most important gold treasure found on the American continent in the 20th century. All the gold, silver and ceramic masterpieces from this and other tombs are exposed in the extraordinary Museum of the Royal Tombs. Another significant archaeological site close to Chiclayo is Túcume, with 26 pyramids from the Lambayeque Culture. Among them is "Huaca Larga", the largest adobe building in the world. Kuelap, known as the "Machu Picchu of the North", with the impressive fortress of the Chachapoyas civilization in the Amazonas Department, is well worth a visit before it becomes too known.

Northern Peru offers an incredible variety of landscapes with amazing flora and fauna in its three geographical zones. From the coast -  deserts, fertile valleys, endless beaches, and dry forests lead to picturesque highlands scenery in Cajamarca and cloud forests in Chachapoyas,  which has one of the highest waterfalls on earth, and lead back down into the rich Amazon jungle to nearby Tarapoto with a great diversity of plants and animals.

During your visit to the North you will also see magnificent monuments of the Spanish colonial heritage and outstanding examples of living Peruvian culture. Trujillo, called "Capital of the eternal spring" with its beautiful main square surrounded by splendid colonial churches and mansions, is also home of the world-famous Peruvian pacer horses and the colourful Marinera dance festival. In Cajamarca, where the last Inca emperor Atahualpa was captured and executed, we will admire fine colonial architecture and lively folkloric performances during the Mardi Gras carnival while in the Department of Piura excellent examples of well known Chulucanas ceramics abound in markets. Last, but not least, Northern Peru serves an exquisite cuisine, especially sea food and each of the different departments proudly offers a delicious variety of regional specialities.

Since 2014 WH TOURS also offers tours to SOUTH PERU with all the important archaeological sites and colonial cities like Nasca Lines, Machu Picchu, Cusco and Arequipa.