Archaeological Trujillo
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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
$149.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 7 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
This tour takes in the major archaeological sites near Trujillo, each showcasing a different civilization. From the Moche people with their far-flung complexes, including the Sorcerer site in the north and the Huaca temples in the southeast, to the Chimu civilization’s massive and complete Chan Chan citadel, this tour is designed to bring you the best and the brightest of Trujillo’s dazzling archaeological line-up.
Begin with a visit to El Brujo (the Sorcerer) -- a mysterious archeological remnant of the Mochican culture. It is located just 20 miles north of Trujillo near the town of Chocope in the Chicama Valley. Excavation at El Brujo began in 1990 and continues even today. The central Huaca Cao pyramid is approximately 100 feet tall. Its walls are decorated with friezes in colored reliefs with complex representations of scenes, characters and geometric designs -- the only such example found in the Mochican culture and a significant departure from their otherwise clear cultural norm. The complex is located on the seashore and was likely used for traditional maritime rituals. Step inside the Senora Cao Museum at the El Brujo complex.
You will also visit the ruins of the Chan Chan Citadel -- the most important cultural nucleus in the Chimu Nation and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient capital of the Chimu Empire (13th century) is the largest adobe city in the world. The Tschudi Palace boasts well-preserved friezes and decorations.
Next, return to the Moche Empire with a journey to the Temple of the Sun (Huaca del Sol) and the Temple of the Moon (Huaca de la Luna), located 18 miles southeast of Trujillo near the town of Moche. These two pyramids were built from adobe (mud) and, amazingly, each piece of adobe bears the maker’s trademark. The Huaca del Sol packs in more than 100 million pieces of adobe, which were covered with bright colors that can still be seen in some places.
Notes:
Wear comfortable walking shoes. Shade is limited; to avoid sunburn, wear light, long clothing suitable for use as a cover-up. Bring a hat and sunglasses; wear biodegradable/reef-safe sunscreen. Bring bottled water. Limited tourism infrastructure is part of the charm here; you are trading breadth of guide experience for authentic interaction. Please bring your spirit of adventure and bear with any language difficulties or operational surprises that may crop up. Buses and other forms of transportation in Trujillo may be somewhat basic in comparison with those offered in some other ports of call.