Chan Chan Citadel, Rainbow Temple & The Reed Boats
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Port
Salaverry (Trujillo), Peru
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
Local Sightseeing,All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$89.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 5 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Depart from the pier in Salaverry and drive to Huaca Dragon (Dragon or Rainbow Temple).
Also known locally as Huaca del Dragón, Huaca Arco Iris is in the suburb of La Esperanza, approximately 2.5 miles northwest of Trujillo. Dating from the 12th century, it is one of the better preserved of the Chimú temples – simply because it was buried under sand until the 1960s. Its location was known to a handful of archaeologists and huaqueros (grave robbers), but excavation did not begin until 1963. Unfortunately, the 1983 El Niño caused damage to the friezes.
Then proceed to the Chan Chan complex -- the capital of the ancient Chimu Empire. This large ancient metropolis lies just three miles from Trujillo and is close to the ocean. Historians estimate that Chan-Chan had a population of 50-60,000 people. This adobe city also contains nine enormous and quite distinguishable enclosures, each constituting a smaller city within the larger urban center. Chan Chan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and covers nearly eight square miles. It is almost a thousand years old and is an amazingly well-preserved testament to the sophistication of South American society long before the Incas or Spaniards came on the scene. Irrigation canals, amphitheaters, storerooms and wells are still intact.
After a tour of the citadel, continue to Huanchaco Beach to see the famous caballitos de totora. These are reed boats, but the name translates into English as ‘little reed horses’ because the strangely shaped little watercraft are essentially ridden like horses over the crest of each wave. They have been used by Peruvian fishermen for millennia and offer you, the visitor, an extraordinary glimpse of everyday life in this part of Peru.
Notes:
Wear comfortable shoes; bring a sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Your guide will do his/her best to speak English, but please keep in mind that the limited tourism infrastructure of Trujillo is part of the city’s charm, and bear with any language difficulties he/she may encounter. Buses and other forms of transportation in Trujillo may be somewhat basic in comparison with those offered in some other ports of call.