3 Day Empires of the North, Mochicas & Chimus (Chiclayo & Trujillo), Chiclayo

About this activity

Discover the best of northern Peru’s archeological sites and museums on this 3-day tour of Chiclayo and Trujillo. Learn about pre-Incan cultures like the Moche, Sicán and Chimú, and marvel at ancient wonders like Huaca Rajada, the Temple of the Moon and Chan Chan — a UNESCO World Heritage site. See pyramids and mummies, visit the Lord of Sipán Royal Tombs Museum and Sicán National Museum, and admire hundreds of artifacts. Four classes of accommodation are available to suit your budget, and a local guide ensures you enjoy a fascinating experience.

Multi-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Archaeology Tours Small Group

At a glance

Duration: 3 days
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 4 people
People per booking: 1–9
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: VIPAC Travel

Ages: Infants (0–2 years) · Children (3–11 years) · Adults (12–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Lunch
Included: Guided sightseeing tours
Included: Breakfast
Included: Transport by car or minivan (depending on the group size)
Included: One piece of luggage (50 lb) and one carry-on
Included: 2 nights of accommodation at select hotels in Chiclayo and Trujillo
Included: Transfers to / from airports in Chiclayo and Trujillo (flights must arrive before 8:30am and depart after 8:30pm)

Not included

Not included: Gratuities
Not included: Airfare
Not included: Food and drinks not specified

Itinerary

Day 1 · Lima / Chiclayo

Museo de sitio Huaca Rajada - Sipan

2 hours Admission included

Huaca Rajada consists of an adobe pyramid built by the Moche people, the civilization that inhabited this region from the 1st to 8th centuries. Explore the site with your guide, learning about the important excavation that unearthed the Lord of Sipán, who was buried with jewels and other treasures.
Tucume Pyramids

one hour Admission included

Túcume, also known as the Valley of the Pyramids (Valle de las Pirámides), an archeological site made up of 26 pyramids. With your guide, learn about the site’s history as the regional center for the Sicán culture, who are believed to have built Túcume around 700 AD, and hear the legend of their god Naylamp.
Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum

2 hours Admission included

Lord of Sipán Royal Tombs Museum, some of the rarest artifacts from the Moche civilization, including those found buried with the Lord of Sipán, are housed in this museum, which opened in 2002. Before going in, take a moment to admire the museum’s unusual exterior — a replica of a Moche tomb. Inside, see gold and silver artifacts, precious stones, jewelry, headdresses and other rare treasures found in the Moche tombs, and learn about the Moche culture and what position the Lord of Sipán held in the ancient community.

Options according category selected

Day 2 · Chiclayo / Trujillo

Sican Museum

2 hours Admission included

Sicán National Museum in the town of Ferreñafe, 13 miles (20 km) north of Chiclayo. Explore the museum with your guide to see its large collection of artifacts found in the tomb of an important Sicán who was excavated in the early 1990s on the site of the Batan Grande sugar plantation. Learn about the Sicán people, who inhabited this region from around 750 to 1300 AD, after the Moche people, as you admire jewelry, weapons, armor, funerals masks, crowns, gold and silver objects, and other treasures from the tomb.
El Brujo

2 hours

El Brujo, built by the Moche between the years 1 and 600 AD. See the three huacas (temples) that make up the site — Huaca Cao Viejo, Huaca Partida and Huaca Prieta — and hear the theory behind the site’s name, El Brujo (The Witch). Take a look at the detailed drawings and carvings that can be seen on the sides of the structures, and hear about the religious ceremonies that took place in the temples.
Complejo Arqueologico El Brujo - Museo Cao

one hour Admission included

Mseum dedicated to the Lady of Cao, a female mummy just discovered in 2006. Excavated in a highly preserved state, the Lady of Cao is thought to have been an important woman, maybe even a ruler, as she was found surrounded by ornate jewelry and weapons. See the mummy and her treasures inside the museum

Buffet

Options according selection.

Day 3 · Trujillo / Lima

La Huaca del Sol

2 hours Admission included

emple of the Moon (Huaca de la Luna), just 3.5 miles (5 km) south of town. When you arrive at the site, your guide will tell you about the history and significance of the terraced temple, built by the Moche out of adobe brick. Learn about its purpose, believed to be used for ceremonial and religious events, and admire the frescoes that adorn the walls.
Huaca Arco-Iris or Huaca El Dragon

one hour Admission included

Huaca el Dragon, the Temple of the Dragon — also known as Huaco del Arco Iris, or Temple of the Rainbow. Built for religious and ceremonial purposes by the Chimú people, who lived in northern Peru from about 900 to the 1400s, the adobe pyramid is known for its intricate frieze murals. With your guide, walk around the temple and learn a bit about the history of and theories behind the site — the temple features carvings of a dragon (hence its name), and it’s believed that the temple was used during rituals to honor the rainbow (hence its other name).
Chan Chan

2 hours Admission included

Chan Chan, the former Chimú capital. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the largest pre-Columbian city in South America and was the center of Chimú political and cultural life from approximately 900 to 1470, when the Incas arrived and conquered the city. Tour the 7-square-mile (18-sq-km) archeological site with your guide, exploring its variety of shrines, reservoirs and ceremonial plazas. Learn about its structure — made from adobe brick and mud — and admire its expansive, walled design. You’ll visit one of the main features, Nik-An Palace, a complex that features ceremonial courtyards and walls adorned with friezes.
Huanchaco

2 hours

Huanchaco, a coastal fishing village known for its caballitos de totora (little reed horses), small boats made out of reed that have been used by Peruvian fisherman for about 3,000 years. As you admire their interesting design, learn about their history and modern-day use from your guide

Buffet

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Cornel Ruiz Airport

Departure Point: Departs from the airport in Chiclayo

Return point: Concludes at airport in Trujillo (note: flights must depart after 8:30pm)

Cancellation

Free cancellation

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

If you cancel	You get back
At least 6 days before	100%
At least 2 days before	50%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please note that if your flight arrives in Chiclayo later than 8:30am, you will miss the morning excursion

Options

First Class Single Room

First class single room at Costa del Sol Chiclayo and Costa del Sol Trujillo hotels. The number of adults selected corresponds to the number of first class single rooms requested.

Pickup included
Tourist Class Double Room

Tourist class double room at Los Portales Chiclayo and Costa del Sol Trujillo hotels. Price is per person. Minimum two guests per booking.

Pickup included
Comfort Class Single Room

Comfort class single room at Casa de la Luna and La Posada del Rey hotels. The number of adults selected corresponds to the number of comfort class single rooms requested.

Pickup included
First Class Double Room

First class double room at Costa del Sol Chiclayo and Costa del Sol Trujillo hotels. Price is per person. Minimum two guests per booking.

Pickup included
Deluxe Class Double Room

Deluxe class double room at Casa Andina Select Chiclayo and Libertador Trujillo hotels. Price is per person. Minimum two guests per booking.

Pickup included
Tourist Class Single Room

Tourist class single room at Los Portales Chiclayo and Costa del Sol Trujillo hotels. The number of adults selected corresponds to the number of tourist class single rooms requested.

Pickup included
Deluxe Class Single Room

Deluxe class single room at Casa Andina Select Chiclayo and Libertador Trujillo hotels. The number of adults selected corresponds to the number of deluxe class single rooms requested.

Pickup included
Comfort Class Double Room

Comfort class double room at Casa de la Luna and La Posada del Rey hotels. Price is per person. Minimum two guests per booking.

Pickup included