What are the highlights of northern Peru?

Máncora surfing , the adobe city of Chan Chan near Trujillo, and the Kuélap fortress and Gocta waterfall in the cloud forest of Chachapoyas .

When is the best time to visit?

The coast and Máncora are warmest December to April; Chachapoyas and the cloud forest are best in the drier months of May to September, though it can be misty year-round.

Why go north instead of the classic south?

For solitude and surf — the north has world-class ruins, warm beaches and Kuélap (a fortress larger than Machu Picchu) with a fraction of the visitors.

Trujillo, Piura and Jaén (for Chachapoyas) have airports with flights from Lima; the region is spread out, so trips are usually guided with transfers.

Things to do in Northern Peru & Beaches

Northern Peru is the road less travelled — warm Pacific surf beaches, vast adobe pre-Inca cities, and the mist-wrapped cloud forest of Chachapoyas, home to a fortress that rivals Machu Picchu and one of the world's tallest waterfalls. It rewards travellers willing to venture beyond the classic southern circuit.

Beaches and ancient cities

Warm-water surfing at Máncora and the northern beaches, and the great adobe ruins of Chan Chan and the Huacas near Trujillo on the coast.

Cloud forest and the Chachapoya

Inland, Amazonas holds the vast Kuélap fortress, the 771 m Gocta waterfall and cliff-top sarcophagi, reached on misty highland treks far from the crowds. Open the Book here tab for dates.

Beaches and ancient cities

Warm-water surfing at Máncora and the northern beaches, and the great adobe ruins of Chan Chan and the Huacas near Trujillo on the coast.

Cloud forest and the Chachapoya

Inland, Amazonas holds the vast Kuélap fortress, the 771 m Gocta waterfall and cliff-top sarcophagi, reached on misty highland treks far from the crowds. Open the Book here tab for dates.