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Northern Peru is often forgotten by tourists as they crowd to the south to visit Machu Picchu. But Northern Peru is worth the visit as it encompasses the sandy beaches of the coast, the Andes mountains, and the Amazon rainforest. It has everything from surfing to pre-Columbian ruins and unique flora and fauna.
Northern Peru includes the region in the north of Peru, bordering Ecuador to the north and Bolivia and Brazil to the east. Depending on the destination in mind, there are several ways to arrive to the area. Visitors can fly into some of the major cities in the area such as Arequipa, Piura, or Iquitos, or they can make use of the Pan-American Highway, which spans the entirety of Peru and runs along the coast of Northern Peru. Although the bus trips are often unbelievably long, the comfortable buses and smooth roads make night trips a breeze.
The climate of Northern Peru varies tremendously depending on the area. On the coast, the elevation never strays far from 100 m (328 ft) above sea level, meaning the temperature tends to stay at around 30°C to 40°C (86-104°F) during the best months of November to March.
The elevation of the Andean cities also varies a lot, which therefore changes the average temperatures. In a city like Huaraz, at an altitude of 3,052 meters (10,013 ft) above sea level, the temperature is usually between 11 and 17°C (34°F and 63°F). The best time of the year to visit is May to September, which is considered the dry season.
The Amazon cities also follow this trend as the climate can be extremely humid and hot, and even more so during the rainy season. However, during the dry season that runs from May to September, the average low and high temperatures are 22°C (71°F) and 31°C (89°F), respectively.
Located 8 km south of Trujillo are the Sun and Moon Huacas, massive adobe structures from the Moche culture (100-800 AD). The smaller Huaca de La Luna offers views of its counterpart, Huaca del Sol, and displays vibrant Moche designs. Huaca del Sol, one of the world’s largest adobe structures at 43 meters high, served likely as an administrative center, with deceased rulers sealed inside over centuries. The adjacent Huacas de Moche Museum showcases Moche artifacts, tombs, and technological insights.
Northern Peru has a rich history from even before the Spanish arrived. The Amazon, coast, and Andes Mountains are scattered with evidence of Inca and pre-Inca cultures occupying the land. Although none are as well-known as Machu Picchu, Northern Peru offers visitors the chance to explore incredible ruins without the crowds of people around.
Once the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Peru, the clear effects of the industrialized west soon became evident. On the coast in Lobitos, abandoned oil rigs and Victorian houses still stand from a bygone era, the ostentatious houses of the rubber barons in Iquitos are slowly succumbing to the elements, and some of the colonial houses of the miners in Huaraz can still be seen.
Every town in Northern Peru has a different story to tell through the ruins and buildings, about its beginnings, tragedies, and traditions.
Questions? Need help deciding? Have a chat with our Destination Experts that have enjoyed Peru’s itineraries!
