Latin America specialist Rainbow Tours (www.rainbowtours.co.uk) has launched a new itinerary in Northern Peru following the opening this month of the long-awaited cable car to the Kuelap fortress in the Chachapoyas region.

The cable car, Peru's first, was opened in early March by the country's President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. It cuts the access time for visitors to Kuelap to just 20 minutes, compared to a previous journey time of 90 minutes each way by road. The Kuelap fortress was established in the 6th century, pre-dating Peru's most famous archaeological site Machu Picchu by around 900 years. Situated 3,000 metres above sea level, it consists of more than 400 circular dwellings, topped with thatched roofs and decorated with zig-zag and rhomboid friezes. Kuelap was occupied for around a thousand years by the Chachapoyas culture and was rediscovered in 1843.

Kuelap is one of several pre-Incan cultures explored on Rainbow Tours' new Northern Routes of Peru and Beach Holiday. In the arid Valle de Moche, the Sun and Moon Temples will provide an insight into the ancient Moche civilisation which flourished around 100 – 800 AD through artefacts relating to their traditions of hunting, fishing, fighting, sacrifice and elaborate ceremonies. At El Brujo archaeological complex, visitors will see the well-preserved, cloth-swaddled body of the 'Lady of Cao' who was thought to be a high-ranking individual in the Moche Culture.

The route also takes in the vast adobe city of Chan Chan – the largest pre-Columbian era city in South America, built during the Chimu period which rose to prominence in the 11th century before succumbing to the Incas in the late 15th century.

As well as exploring some of Peru's lesser-known historical sites, visitors will enjoy the varied landscapes of the country's north, travelling through cloud forest, steep mountain ravines and fertile agricultural areas. A full day is available to hike to Gocta Falls where Peru's national bird, the Cock-of-the-Rock, might be seen, and the final three nights are spent in the beach town of Mancora, close to the border with Ecuador, which boasts white sand beaches and a variety of water sports which can be arranged locally.

The 13-day Northern Routes of Peru and Beach Holiday costs from £3,495 per person including flights, transfers, 12 nights' accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis and entry to attractions as outlined in the itinerary. Book with Rainbow Tours (020 7666 1266, www.rainbowtours.co.uk). For the full itinerary, see here.  

As this a tailor-made trip beginning and ending in Lima, travellers can also contact Rainbow Tours to craft an itinerary which will allow them to combine this Northern Peru circuit with Machu Picchu or other areas of Peru or South America.