It’s now been two decades since Peruvian archeologist Walter Alva uncovered gold and other artifacts entombed in what’s now northern Peru over 1,700 years ago and Peruvian authorities are hoping that more people will make the journey to a region to see items hailed as a huge discovery by the archeological community, but which have been overshadowed in tourist circles by other reminders of Peru’s pre-Columbian heritage.

The discovery of the pre-Inca Moche culture tomb -- occupied by a ruler archeologists labeled the Lord of Sipan -- was compared in some circles to the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb and Alva’s findings quickly made the cover of National Geographic.

But Elisabeth Hakim, incoming tourism co-ordinator for the Commission for the Promotion of Peru, says most of the tourists visiting Peru skip the northwestern part of the country, usually opting for the area that is home to Cusco and Machu Picchu, both of which are reminders of the Inca legacy.

“It’s good to have Machu Picchu, but we have more than that,” she told Canadian Travel Press. “Not many tour operators send people to northern Peru.”

The Peruvians have worked to attract people to the northern part of the country, promoting its many pre-Columbian archeological sites.

The town of Lambayeque saw the 2002 opening of a museum designed in part after a Moche temple and which is home to the Lord of Sipan artifacts, including its most famous ones, such as the solid gold carving of a man’s face. Also found are helmets, bracelets, scepters, breastplates and a host of other items, most made from gold and silver. Most pieces have symbolic designs.

Not all area attractions predate the Spanish conquest, with the ghost town of Zana being another draw.

Northern Peru’s coast is also popular with surfers.

There is regular air service to area cities from Lima and the region can also be reached from the Peruvian capital by the Pan-American Highway.

Meanwhile, Hakim said Peru is ideally suited for birdwatchers, who can view our feathered friends in jungle surroundings and in Andean settings as well. Condors are somewhat symbolic of the country and Peru’s dramatic Colca Canyon – reportedly the deepest canyon in the world – is home to the Cross of the Condor, a gathering spot for the huge birds. Tourists who visit the site can expect to see condors soaring above them.

But Hakim added that 60 per cent of Peru -- which people often associate with the Andes -- is actually Amazon basin, and those visiting the jungle can see parrots, macaws and a host of other birds.

Indeed, Peru has more than 1,800 bird species and birdwatchers spending a couple of weeks in the country can expect to see hundreds of types of birds, she said.

The Peruvian Amazon has large parks and wilderness reserves that have eco-lodges from which guests can go on jungle tours.

Airlines serving Lima include Air Canada, LAN and TACA.

Go to www.peru.info for more.