DAY 1: Lima –
Trujillo (L, D)
Meeting upon arrival Trujillo and trnasfer five miles south of
Trujillo to the Huaca of the Sun and Moon. During
your guided visit you will discover that this site is one of the most important
archeological findings in the Northern Coast of Peru, as it is 1,000 years older than Chan
Chan. This enigmatic place used to be the capital of the Moche Culture between the I and
VI centuries A.D., much earlier than the appearance of the Incas. Recent
archeological discoveries will allow you to see the magnificent mud walls completely
decorated with high and bas-relief polychrome patterns, distinguished by a unique
iconography that portrays the vision of the city’s ancestors.
Transfer to the
charming seaside town of Huanchaco, only ten minutes
away from the city. This is a traditional fishermen’s bay, whose residents preserve
many of the customs and fishing techniques of their Mochica ancestors, such as the famous
Caballitos de Totora, the predecessor of the modern surfboard, made of a wild water reed,
which is still used as a an artisan fishing tool because of its strength. Preservation is
the key to the survival of artisan fishing. The fishermen of Huanchaco are the only ones who still master
the craft of making these canoes, and although change and growth are inevitable in
Huanchaco, as long as the totora reeds exist, the knowledge of the Caballito de Totora
fishing will be passed on from generation to generation.
You
will enjoy lunch accompanied by incomparable views of the ocean at Huanchaco. The history
and beauty of beaches and the formidable waves continue attracting visitors from all over
the world.
After
lunch visit Chan
Chan,
the largest mud city in the world. Chan-Chan
is considered by UNESCO as the largest mud city in the world and the largest Pre-Columbian
city in South America.
It is an impressive archaeological
site located in the Peruvian
region of La Libertad,
five km east of Trujillo.
Covering an area of approximately 20 km², Chan
Chan
was constructed by the Chimu people, a late intermediate period civilization which grew
out of the remnants of the Moche
civilization. The vast mud city of Chan
Chan
was built between c.850 and c.1470 and
was the imperial capital until Chimu was conquered by the Incas in the 15th century.
It is estimated that 30,000 people lived in the city of Chan
Chan
and it is composed of ten walled citadels which housed ceremonial rooms, burial chambers,
temples, reservoirs and some residences.
Then
drive and hour and a half
to Chicama
Port.
En route you will observe the fascinating arid coastal deserts where millennial cultures
built their magnificent empires. You will arrive to Chicama Resort, located in the seaside
of the Northern Coast of Peru, a unique accommodation with a cozy atmosphere, personalized
service, and absolute tranquility, right in front of the famous Chicama surf spot,
well-known for having the world’s longest wave.
Dinner and
overnight at the Chicama Resort.
DAY
2: Chicama and surrounding (B, L, D)
Buffet
breakfast at the hotel and then transfer for a visit to Archaeological Compound El Brujo, one of the most important archeological sites of
Northern Peru.
The
huacas of El Brujo, officially known as El Brujo
Archeological Compound, are located on the right margin of the Chicama
River,
in the district of Magdalena de Cao. Occupied during more than 5,000 years, this old
ceremonial city would live its religious splendor during the Moche period (0-700
A.D.)
when it was to become the religious center of the region of the Valley
of Chicama.
The Brujo owes its name to the constant flow of sorcerers and quacks to this place, which
would carry out healing ceremonies in the mountains or Pre-Hispanic ruins because they
considered these as sacred places. However, the key attractions of this site are the mural
paintings. The main wall is decorated with events dealing with the human sacrifices that
the Moche practiced. This gem of the Moche
Route
is still being digged by archaeologists and you will discover it in the company of an
expert guide.
Return
to the hotel to enjoy an exquisite lunch at a seafront of the Pacific
Ocean.
Taste the different seafood and variety of fishes the port
of Chicama
can offer, prepared and served with the unique Peruvian cooking techniques.
Afternoon at
leisure to enjoy different kinds of optional activities offered by the hotel. Try
a Zodiac ride to the famous Chicama Surf-Spot, the longest wave in the world; enjoy a
Peruvian Paso Horse Ride show at traditional Paijan; experience the windy
afternoon with a professional stunt kite flight accompanied by an expert guide; take the
chance to explore the different kinds of trekking trails to the uncovered
secrets of Malabrigo
Port
and its seafront.
Dinner
and overnight at the hotel.
DAY
3: Chiclayo
– Lima
(B, L)
Buffet
breakfast at the hotel and enjoy a three hour drive north to Tucume, just 25 miles from Chiclayo and the most important
urban center of its time, built by the Sican Culture. Enjoy
a
guided sightseeing visit of the Tucume
Valley,
the most important urban center of its time, built by the Sican culture. This valley, full
of pyramids, is one of the main Pre-Inca sites due to the size and quality of its
structures. Made from dozens of adobe bricks, the pyramids were built around the sacred mountain
of La
Raya.
The valley provides an opportunity to organize expeditions to archeological sites,
participate in excavations and listen to the ancient myths.
Also
visit to Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum.
Built to house the tomb of the Lord of Sipan, a ruler of ancient Peru,
scientifically dug by the archeologist Walter Alva in 1987, this discovery shed light
about the organization, development and religious thought of the Moche, one of the most
important Pre-Inca cultures. The finding of the Royal Tomb of the Lord of Sipan marks a
historical milestone in continental architecture, because, for the first time, the
magnificence and majesty of a ruler of ancient Peru
was revealed.
Enjoy
lunch at a traditional restaurant -This
part of the country is famous for its delicious dishes and exquisite ingredients.
After
lunch, visit to Huaca Rajada Pyramid, the site where the renowned Lord of Sipan was
discovered. Discover the
complex of Huaca Rajada, Split Huaca, which lies in the upper-middle section of the Lambayeque valley, south of the Reque River and where
the Lord of Sipan was founded in 1987. This huaca consists of two large, badly- eroded
pyramids to the east of the road and a smaller platform on the opposite side of the road.
Recent investigations have centered on the smaller platform, often called simply
"Huaca de Sipan", which belongs to the Moche culture and was used for burials of
people of the highest rank within Moche society. The other two structures, large,
badly-eroded, stepped pyramids, seem to have been remodeled in post-Moche times and are
still under investigation.
Continue to Chicalayo for a chance to visit
the main attractions that Chiclayo offers. Santa
Veronica Church, founded in 1868, contains an exceptional style in its structure. Its
high altar presents a unique adjacent siding silver and a beautiful gold leaf. Continue
your visit through the route of the Musas, with large colonial houses and
main arteries of the city. Continue to visit the Model
Market of Chiclayo and the Witch ’s Market where you can find various
elixirs, herbs and other implements used by shamans for their mystical activities. These
shamans are a vivential tradition in the north of Peru and a very common
way for people in need for help in their health and /or to
predict their future.
This evening enjoy
dinner at
the Fiesta Restaurant welcomes you all to the succulence of the Chiclayo
cuisine. More than two decades ago Restaurant Fiesta opened its doors to the public, to
date is still continues operating under the invaluable culinary expertise of Mrs. Bertha
Cruz Solis and her husband Alberto Solis. The family carries the culinary vocation in
their blood as they offer not only traditional cuisine but also the best local dishes such
as chupe de camarones, camarones a la piedra,
sancochado, tacu tacu relleno con langostinos, ají de gallina and picante tacneño, as well as many international
dishes.
After
dinner transfer to the airport for return flight to Lima.
