Peru Travel Forum

Isn't the north worth exploring? Not many people seem to be going here.
Thanks

If not people goes to the north of Peru is because everybody seems to be hipnotized by Machu Pichu and Inca Trail. I am peruvian and I can assure you that you can spent a whole life in Peru without going to Cusco and you won't be sorry about.

In the north, you have in Piura places like Catacaos, Huancabamba, Ayabaca (some kilometers of Inca trail here), the beaches of Colan and Mancora, Los Manglares, etc. Look for the name of the places in a search engine trying something like "Peru+Catacaos".
In Lambayeque you can find the museum of Lord Of Sipan, the woods of Chaparrí (interesting ecological unit), the best food of Peru, the beach and town of Pacasmayo and begin the road to Cajamarca, the place where began all the hostory about spaniards and Incas.
In Ancash you have Huaraz, Chavin de Huantar, Callejón de Conchucos, Tortugas Beach (beautiful) and very much other places. You will have a nice surprise going to the north of Peru.
You can find very much info in any search engine, but if you think i can help you, my e.mail address is waylluq@hotmail.com. Have a nice travel and enjoy Peru, don't forget to try the food!!!!!!!

Perhaps you will not go to the north on your first visit to Peru, but the second time I recommend it.
You are right, there are not so many pages on the north part of Peru, but start looking at those that exist, you will - starting from Lima - find them under:
Departemento de Ancash (Huaraz)
Departemento de Libertad (Trujillo and Chan-chan)
Departemento de Cajamarca (Cajamarca)
Departemento de Lambayeque (Chiclayo)
Departemento de Piura (Piura and Catacaos)
Departemento de Tumbes (Tumbes and limit to Ecuador)
(some already mentioned by Mario)
On the high-way Panamericana Norte will find a nice travelling along the coast, along deserts and crossing green valleys. To get to Huaraz (very popular) and also to Cajamarca you have to leave the coast.
Have a nice trip, in Peru you will find a great variety of nature, climat, food and people. Just enjoy yourself!

Hey, please listen to what the earlier posters have advised. Great information from them.

I can't find Chachapoyas! Do take the time to go to Chachapoyas as well. Very challenging to get there due to mountainous roads full of pot-holes but so remote and worth the while.

There are many sites and ruins around there to see - Kuelap, Karajia and tonnes of other ruins from different eras BEFORE the Incas.

Totally agree with 1st poster about Lord Sipan Tomb. The treasure displayed there, in my opinion, thoroughly make your trip to the North of Peru worthwhile already! To me, they should be as famous as the treasure unearthed for King Tutankhamen's tomb in Egypt.

Write to me if you need more precise information. I'm more than happy to share the bit that I know.

Hey! you are right, all of us forgot Chachapoyas, Kuelap, Karajía, Los Condores Lagoon, Leimebamba and all that beautiful places!!!!. As I am peruvian, my fault is bigger, but if is there anybody loking for info about these places, I promise to do my best.