Libertador Trujillo

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15 days

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Quirky excursions

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Tomb of Lord Sipan, Royal Tombs Museum & Tucume Pyramids

The temple of Sipan, situated 30 kilometres to the south of Chiclayo, was the site of one of the most important archaeological finds in the Americas. It was here in 1987 that the archaeologist Walter Alva discovered the tombs of key members of the Mochica nobility, buried alongside one of richest collection of treasures ever seen on the continent, including gold, silver, precious stones and ceremonial wear. The most significant tomb discovered here was that of Lord of Sipan, warrior-ruler of the region during the late 3rd century. As little now remains at the tomb itself, it is essential to combine a visit to the tomb with the Royal Tombs Museum in nearby Lambayeque. The exterior of the museum is striking in itself, a red pyramid emerging from the desert, and inside you can peruse all the riches found buried alongside the Lord of Sipan and other important finds. This museum really is unmissable for anyone with an interest in South American history. You will finish the day with a visit to the Tucume pyramids, remnants of a vast city constructed by the Sicán people over 1000 years ago, and subsequently occupied by the Chimu and Inca civilisations.

El Brujo

60 kilometres north of Trujillo you will find the pre-Inca archaeological site of El Brujo, a series of pyramids and tombs dating back to the Moche era and of key spiritual importance in their time. Highlights of a tour to the complex include the intricate wall painting of the Cao Viejo temple depicting animals, warfare and sacrifice rituals. The Cao Viejo temple also houses the original burial tomb of the tattooed Moche mummy known as The Lady of Cao, whose remains can be seen in the nearby museum, along with an impressive range of artefacts that were found alongside her.

Chan Chan, Huanchaco Bay & the Dragon Temple

This half-day tour will begin at the Chan Chan, the world’s largest adobe city and former capital of the Chimu empire, who flourished from 900 AD until their defeat by the Inca in 1470. The desert-like conditions of this area of the Moche Valley means the city is remarkably well-preserved and you will have a full tour of the site with your expert guide. Next stop is Huanchaco, a somewhat ramshackle seaside town 12 kilometres outside Trujillo but a great place to see the traditional reed boats that date back to the Moche era. They are still constructed and used by the locals here in a manner unchanged for many hundreds of years. Your final visit is to Huaca del Dragon (the ‘Dragon Temple’), a pre-Inca site best-known for the elaborate carvings and friezes etched into its adobe wall.

Temples of the Sun & Moon

The Temples of the Sun & Moon (Huacas del Sol y de la Luna) are situated in a desert valley to the south of Trujillo and date back to the Moche era of 200 – 600 AD. The larger Sun Temple can only be appreciated from the outside as excavation work continues within and, despite its obvious erosion, the scale of this structure is undeniably impressive (over 100 million adobe bricks were used in its construction, and one of the theories is that it once served as an enormous ceremonial site). The nearby Temple of the Moon is better preserved and much restoration work has been carried out here – taking in the colourful and intricate friezes still visible on the temple walls is usually the highlight of any visit here.

Kuelap Fortress

Situated an hour outside the city of Chachapoyas, the pre-Inca fortress of Kuelap is a remarkable place. When it comes to scale and significance, comparisons are often made to Machu Picchu, and the site's remote location in rolling mountains surrounded by cloud forest is similarly one to be marvelled at. Kuelap, however, receives only a fraction of the visitors of Machu Picchu, making a journey here all the more atmospheric and rewarding if you can brave the challenging journey. The site itself is distinguished by its mighty stone walls and complex of over 300 circular stone houses dotted around various levels of the sprawling complex. Your guide will lead you around the most significant areas of the complex and recount some of the theories surrounding it, and you will find it difficult not be enchanted by this most tranquil of ancient cities.