Northern Cultures of Peru

Peru, 3 Nights

Day 1 - Lima/Trujillo
Afternoon flight north from Lima to Trujillo, located in the fertile Moche Valley. Inhabited since ancient times by fishermen and farmers, these territories belonged to one of the most famous ancient cultures of Peru, the Mochica, whose many impressive remains can still be found around Trujillo. Two nights at the Libertador Hotel, well located on Trujillo's central plaza.

Day 2 - Trujillo
Morning visit to the Sun and Moon Pyramids, an archaeological site consisting of enormous adobe constructions built by the Mochica culture. The Sun Pyramid is considered the largest adobe pyramid in Peru. Continue to the coast and enjoy a local lunch at Huanchaco beach, famous for its Caballitos de Totora (small reed crafts used for fishing) that brave the Pacific waves on a daily basis.

Afternoon visit to Chan Chan, the capital of the Chimu culture and the largest adobe city in pre-Hispanic America.

Day 3 - Trujillo/Chiclayo/Lima
Morning drive to the city of Chiclayo, a region of successive pre-Hispanic cultures, whose remains are only now being revealed to the world. In 1987 a group of archaeologists discovered the most famous of these, the royal tombs of Sipan. Sipan, the richest pre-Hispanic burial yet discovered in the Americas, belonged to a young Mochica dignitary of the fourth century AD, whom they called the Lord of Sipan.

Afternoon visit to the Royal Tombs Museum. The museum has its origin in a project of archaeological rescue, when a small team of Peruvian archaeologists assumed the responsibility to save the sanctuary of Sipan from looting. Today, the museum proudly and safely displays the magnificent jewels and ornaments found in the tomb of the Lord of Sipan.

Afternoon transfer to Chiclayo airport for the evening flight to Lima.