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Trujillo
COLONIAL MANSIONS SURROUNDED BY PRE-INCA TEMPLES.
559 km north of Lima lies Trujillo, Peru’s most important town in the northwest. Founded in 1534/35 and named after Francisco Pizarro’s birthplace en Spain, this city on the coast became the halting-place along the route of the Spaniards between Lima and Quito. Soon it called itself with good reason the ‘Principal City’. The very good conserved colonial mansions, with their woodcarving suited balcony and the fine lattice-work in front of the windows display a very elegant past. The city is dotted with churches, monasteries and convents who are dating back to the viceroys.
The Chimu, who ruled the north coast before the Inca conquest, built their capital at nearby Chan Chan. This place didn't look like other cities. Unlike other capitals, this Chimu city didn't have any centre squares or boulevards; however its centre consisted of a series of palaces very well hidden behind 12 meters of mud brick walls. Chan Chan, with its neighbourhoods of the low class, sunken gardens and citadels embraced a territory of about 20 square kilometres, and is considered to be the largest mud city in the world.
Just south of Trujillo, in the Moche Valley, lie the impressive 35 m high pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. Here the Moche built between 100 and 700 AD a striking ceremonial centre. During archaeological works in the temple of the Moon in 1990 one of the best kept secrets of the Moche has been discovered. This sanctuary, considered an empty platform so far appears to be a whole complex of rooms and patios where the most important Moche ceremonies were held. All unearthed walls are covered with astonishing coloured friezes. This centre of Moche power is the tallest mud structure in the Americas.
West of Trujillo is Huanchaco, a small typical fishing village. As their ancestors did hundreds of years ago, descendents of this fisher-folk here still ride the waves in reed boats.
From Trujillo you can travel to Chiclayo, Cajamarca or Huaraz.
*If you are interested in one of these tours, go to our contact form
Programs
TRU 001
TEMPLES OF THE SUN AND THE MOON
Just south of Trujillo, in the Moche Valley, lie the impressive 35 m high pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. Here the Moche built between 100 and 700 AD a striking ceremonial centre. This sanctuary, considered an empty platform so far appears to be a whole complex of rooms and patios where the most important Moche ceremonies were held. All unearthed walls are covered with astonishing coloured friezes. This centre of Moche power is the tallest mud structure in the Americas.
*Daily departures.
TRU 002
CHAN CHAN, THE CAPITAL OF THE CHIMU EMPIRE
The Chimu, who ruled the north coast before the Inca conquest, built their capital at nearby Chan Chan. This city in the desert, with its neighbourhoods of the low class, sunken gardens and citadels embraced a territory of about 20 square kilometres, and is considered to be the largest mud city in the world.
*Daily departures.
TRU 003
TEMPLE OF EL BRUJO
Situated in the Chicama valley. This archaeological complex encloses Huaca Prieta, where archaeologists discovered Peru's earliest decorated textiles and the so called “Brujo Temple” whose coloured friezes are unique among the well-known remains of the Mochica culture.
* Daily departures.
TRU 004
TRUJILLO – SECHÍN - LIMA
Drive 560 km south along the Panamerican highway through the most beautiful valleys of the northern desert coast. In this desolate landscape on a riverbank lie the perfectly conserved remains of Sechín, one of the most impressive sites of the Peruvian formative period, dating back to 1600 B.C. Lunch at the shore of the Pacific Ocean in an undamaged dessert landscape. (L)
* Daily departures,
* Only in private bus.
* Minimum 4 passengers
*Due to the short distance between Trujillo and Chiclayo it’s easy to combine itineraries
*For additional tours in this area please contact us.
*’Marinera’ dance and Paso horse exhibitions can be arranged.
*If you are interested in one of these tours, go to our contact form
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