North Jewelry: Chiclayo and Trujillo

Arrival in Chiclayo, meet and greet at the airport, transfer to your hotel. Start of our tour visiting Huaca Rajada, archaeological site in which the Lord of Sipan remains were found. Then it’s off to the Pyramids Valley in Tucume, an impressive urban center and the most important of its time, located at only 33kms from Chiclayo. The legend of the Naylamp god and the Cetemi queen, who came from the sea, still lives strong among the settlers. We´ll have lunch at one of the restaurants in the area for a chance to try the best traditional local cuisine: a varied and spiced arrange of flavors for our palate. To end the day, a visit to the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum, known also as the 21st Century Museum. It was built as an exact representation of the original tomb and it is home to amazing gold, silver and precious stones treasures. An incredible experience you will never forget. Overnight in Chiclayo.

In the morning we will visit the Lord of Sicán Museum in Ferreñafe, fabulous discovery found in the Huacas de Batan Grande in the carob forest of the Sechura desert. This museum treasures a magnificent mortuary mask of feathers, gold and silver, as well as a sample of what life was like for the ancient inhabitants of this area. We will also see a representation of how this Lord was found in his tomb. In the afternoon, departure on private transportation to Trujillo. It is a three hour ride to enjoy the beauty of the valleys. When we reach Casa Grande sugar hacienda we’ll take a detour towards the Brujo Archaeological Complex and Museum, named after the polychrome friezes on its walls. In the surrounding areas a pre-Inca cemetery to be discovered. Then we will visit the Lady of Cao Complex in which we could see this well preserved mummy, discovered a few years ago, and possible ruler of the Moche culture. Overnight in Trujillo.

We shall start the day visiting the Temple of the Moon, at only 5 kms far from town. This Huaca holds beautiful treasures in its polychrome and overexposes friezes and its urban architecture. Then visit to a traditional family that descends from Mochica people. In the afternoon visit the “Arco Iris Temple” or “Dragon ceremonial Temple”, from the Chimu culture. Drive to the seaside town of Huanchaco and watch the local fishermen on their traditional “Caballitos de Totora” or reed boats. Lunch in Huanchaco and then you will visit the ancient mud-brick City of Chan Chan. This place was home to 100,000 habitants who stubbornly resisted the expansion of the Inca Empire. The archaeological remains of Chan Chan, 6 Km. (3.7 miles) northeast of Trujillo, are rather well preserved although built with mud bricks (“adobe”) Transfer to the airport to catch the flight to Lima to connect with international flights. .