Earlier this century this zone, extending past the last Chachapoyan ruins
of Gran Pajaten, was 15,000 sq. km. of unexplored Andes. In this unknown
area 220 well preserved mummies were discovered and shown by the Discovery
Channel in October 1998. This is our most rigorous trip as it follows an
Inca trail, and not a major Inca road. It is a full day past civilization
on horseback to a fabulous Alpine crystal clear lake, and the mausoleum on
a cliff, high in the cloud forest. Day 1 - Flight from Lima to Cajamarca, the city of destiny. Pizarro marched his tiny band of 270 Spaniards here to capture Inca Atahualpa and an empire. We will see the cell where the Inca was held captive. It was filled 3 times with gold & silver for his ransom before he was executed. Afterwards we go by our bus to Celedin for the night.
Day 2 - Our bus climbs the sweeping cold cordillera and descends into an oven dry valley to cross the main trunk Amazon River. Here a coastal Chimu Colony uses their irrigation skills to grow exotic tropical fruits in a micro ecological system. The Cordillera, a mile above has 100 inches more rain per year, than the dry river valley. We go up to Leymebamba to stay the night at the Laguna de los Condores Hotel (owner of the ruins site estate).
Day 3 - 
We saddle up early for an all day expedition into the 15,000 sq. km zone
that was previously unexplored a few years ago, and arrive at the Laguna
de los Condores. This supernatural mystic place is a huge pristine
mountain lake with the mausoleum chulpa perched high on a cliff above it.
Our camp is by the lake in a rustic facility.
Day 4 - We climb up to the chulpa which the Discovery Channel documented in the 1998 recovery of 219 mummies from this damp cloud forest. Despite being behind a waterfall in the rainy season, these mummies were better preserved than ones from Egypt's desert pyramids. This discovery made the zone famous because the entire area had never been filmed or seen by the outside world before this.
Day 5 -
We leave camp for the long trip back to Leimebamba on horseback.
Day 6 - Now we get to see Peru's brand new Centro Mallqui Museum that the Austrians donated for this unique discovery. The 219 mummies are here along with many artefacts being investigated by Peruvian Dr. Sonia Guillen, (the worlds best mummy authority). She has also set up the advanced new laboratory in Cairo for the Egyptians. From there we go to our Choctamal Lodge (gateway to Kuelap and Gran Vilaya), and have a well-deserved soak in the hot tub.
Day 7 - 
Today we explore Fortress Kuelap "the Machu Picchu of Northern Peru" with
its 400 buildings and 5 gigantic levels of walls inside of walls. It is
the largest edifice of the Americas and estimated to be 3 times the volume
of Egypt's largest pyramid. Orchids and bromeliads cover the walls of the
ancient Chachapoyan Cloud Peoples' stone houses. Our bus then takes us to
Chachapoyas for the night in our 3 star colonial adobe mansion.
Day 8 - Return to Lima by airplane, or road to Chiclayo and connecting flight to Lima.
PRICE PER PERSON: For 1 person = US$1486, for 2 or 3 people = US$1100, for 4 to 10 people = US$924
The tour includes: All entrance fees, All meals and transfers to airport or bus station, Accommodations and taxes , All transportation specified in the program, bilingual guide.
Not included: Gratuities (not expected in this zone), Alcoholic beverages , Internal flights & airport tax (we can provide these upon request, approx. $70 each way).
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