PeruNorth's musings on events & destinations in Northern Peru, Amazonia ... and beyond. Detailed tour reviews.
In November, 2023, PeruNorth received the following enquiry from Thomas, in Portland, Maine: “I have been interested in the Moche/Chimu ever since reading an article in The New Scientist about their engineers who were priests because they knew how to bring the water to the desert (as I remember). My wife and I are interested in finding out more about your coastal civilization itineraries and how they work.”
Roberto and Paola from Turin, Italy got in touch with PeruNorth in February 2023 looking for a 24-day itinerary to take in the archaeological and natural highlights of Northern Peru, along with some time in or around an Amazonian reserve, such as Pacaya-Samiria.
Here are their comments about the trip, along with a selection of photos they took:
Read the testimony of Sam Watkins, a UK national living in Malaga, Spain, who travelled solo to Northern Peru in July 2022.
He stayed in the little-visited village of Cuispes, from where he visited Yumbilla, Cristal, Medio Cerro and Gocta waterfall.
He did a day trip to El Tigre Sarcophagi; and finished by visiting the Chachapoya citadel of Yalape (in lieu of Kuelap that was closed owing to restoration work).
The last night was spent in Chachapoyas city; and much of the transport was by mototaxi, in order to keep costs down.
Here are the comments from California couple, the O’Donnells, on their itinerary to Northern Peru that included:
2 nights at Pumarinri Amazon Lodge with a boat trip on Huallaga River & hike to Pucayaquillo Waterfall.
Drive via Moyobamba & Abra Patricia to Cocachimba
4 nights at Gocta Andes Lodge, with visits to archeological sites of Kuelap & Revash, Leymebamba Museum, and hike to Gocta Waterfall.
Read in her own words Elizabeth Harrold’s odyssey to Northern Peru, sampling various types of Amazon rainforest:
4 days at an eco-lodge in cloud forest (Gocta).
2 days at a lodge in high rainforest (Pumarinri).
Finally, a 4-day cruise on the Amazon River itself (M/V Zafiro).
This is a review of a nine-day itinerary, starting at Jaen Airport, spending five nights in the Chachapoyas region, visiting various ruins and Gocta Waterfall, before driving to Tarapoto for three nights at Pumarinri Amazon Lodge in the montane rainforest:
“Overall, we had a great trip and saw some incredible things …
We as a family had a wonderful time. The department of Amazonas (where Chachapoyas and Kuelap are located) is a very beautiful area of Peru, something that we were not aware of. The plantations fields and "greenery" of the mountains are worth the trip. Add Kuelap and friendliness of the people is a plus.
Read the thoughts of an Anglo-US-Dutch couple who travelled to Peru in 2018.
PeruNorth arranged two sections of their trip:
an off-the-beaten-path Chachapoyas trek.
a classic Southern Peruvian Amazon jungle lodge.
Here is what they say:
PeruNorth arranged a 10-day itinerary for Canadian mother & daughter, Irene & Marie-Ann in Jan 2018.
Staying at Gocta Lodge, they explored Chachapoya ruins of Kuelap & Revash.
Also hiked to Gocta Falls, visited Yerbebuena market & mummies at Leymebamba Museum.
Ended the trip with 5 nights staying in a Bedouin-style tent beside the beach at Vichayito.
Here is what they say:
‘We had a great time and really appreciate all the help you provided in booking our vacation …
