Nature & Archaeology in the Moche Route
- Description
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Visit Northern Peru where you will encounter beaches, archaeological sites, history, natural protected areas and great cuisine. You wil be able to learn several aspects from the Moche culture which ruled much of northern Peru for centuries, and exciting discoveries are still being made. Your journey includes El Brujo (resting place of Señora de Cao who lived around year 450 AD), Chan Chan (the largest mud-brik citadel of the pre-Hispanic era, a UNESCO site), the Huacas of the Sun and the Moon (impressive pyramids built for ceremonial purposes); and the Royal Tombs of Sipan in Chiclayo, offering a fascinating insight into the history of the Moche people, housing some of the best exhibition rooms in the world. You will also visit natural protected areas like Pomac, Forest Historical Sanctuary, a rare dry equatorial forest with one of the oldest carob tree forests in the world. You will stay in an ecolodge where you will visit the Spectacled Bear Rescue Center, the herpitarium and walk a system of trails to have a great opportunity for bird-watching. Finally, you will visit the city of Trujillo, the beach of Huanchaco, offering a year-round warm climate, here, many Moche cultural practices are still very much alive today and "Caballitos de Totora", reed watercrafts used by the Moche people for fishing, are now used to surf the waves. You will enjoy the popular and tasty "ceviche" which combines freshly caught fish and seafood mixed with Spanish onions, lemon juice, and a touch of chil pepper offering the perfect taste of Peru along the Moche Route.
Day 1
Catch a midday flight to Trujillo. Once you arrive, guide will meet you and you will start the journey by visiting Huaca del Sol y La Luna, an adobe brick temple built by the Moche civilization. It is decorated with elaborate red and gold geometric designs, colors that have lasted this long. You will briefly visit The Museum of Modern Art which was founded by the painter and sculptor Gerardo Chavez of world-wide fame. It's located in his home town of Laredo, 20 minutes from downtown. Overnight hotel in Trujillo.
Day 2
Visit Chan Chan, a Pre-Colombian archaeological site built by the Chimu around AD 850. It is estimated that around 30,000 people lived here. You will then move to the beach of Huanchaco where you will find the ancient ships called "Caballitos de Totora", which were originally built during the Mochica and Chimu cultures and are still in use. Drive to El Brujo, where a well-preserved tattooed mummy of a young woman has been discovered. The 1,500-year-old mummy may shed new light on the mysterious Moche culture. Overnight in Chicama overlooking the ocean.
Day 3
Morning to enjoy the beach at Chicama. Transfer to Chiclayo (3-hour drive) and onto the town of Ferreñafe where you will visit the most impressive museum in Peru: Royal Tombs of Sipan. Overnight hotel in Chiclayo.
Day 4
Drive to Huaca Rajada or the Sipan site where the Sipan tomb was founded, transfer onto Chaparri Ecolodge. Today you may walk some of the trails in the lodge. Overnight Chaparri Ecolodge. Full board.
Day 5
Morning to enjoy your time in the ecolodge. Lunch and transfer back to Chiclayo. Overnight hotel in Chiclayo.
Day 6
Visit the district of Pomalca where you will explore Ventarron, a religious sanctuary from 4,000 years ago. Visit the museum of Sican and visit the National Park of Pomac. Transfer to airport to catch the evening flight back to Lima.
- Duration:
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6 days & 5 nights