North Enigmas
8 days / 7 nights
DAY 1: TRUJILLO | INC: -
Arrival in the city of Trujillo, assistance and transfer to the hotel to leave our luggage in custody. In the afternoon we will visit the city of Trujillo with beautiful mansions, impossing portals, balconies and well-preserved churches. We will then visit the Museum of Archeology of the National University of Trujillo to get an insight of the pre-Columbian cultures of the region.
DAY 2: TRUJILLO | INC: B/L.
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. In the afternoon, and after visiting the Temple of the Dragon, we will arrive at the largest mud city in South America: Chan Chan, capital of the Chimu Empire. The tour continues with a visit to the Huanchaco fishermen’s cove, famous for its totora reed boats called Totora Horses. Lunch time at one of the best seafood restaurants in the area. Transfer to the airport to catch the flight to Lima to connect with international flights.
DAY 3: TRUJILLO/CHICLAYO | INC: B.
Departure on private transportation to Chiclayo. 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. In the afternoon we will visit Tucume, an imposing complex of 26 mud pyramids of the Lambayeque culture. We will visit the site museum and the viewpoint.
We will then be able to admire one of the pyramids recently opened to the public, called Huaca Las Balsas, that is located in the southwest end of the complex with several superimposed building stages, all of them decorated with magnificent mural paintings and even reliefs with mythical motives. This place is also associated with a residential and domestic sector that includes a kitchen, bedrooms and corrals.
DAY 4: CHICLAYO | INC: B.
In the morning we will visit Huaca Ventarron to appreciate the recent discovery of the oldest mural painting in America, in a ceremonial center that is over 4000 years old. The tour will continue to the magnificent adobe platform of Huaca Rajada, where the famous Lord of Sipab was found. We will visit the site museum that displays the findings of the warrior priest found in tomb 14.
In the afternoon we will visit one of the best museums of Peru: the Royal Tombs Museum, where the treasures discovered in the tomb of the Lord of Sipan are displayed. We will be able to admire the fabulous gold objects, precious stones and the ancient history of the Moche civilization.
DAY 5: CHICLAYO/CHACHAPOYAS | INC: B/BL.
Transfer from the city of Chiclayo to Chachapoyas. During the journey we will cross one of the driest deserts of the planet, then climb up the Andes, climb down to Marañon River, and finally go through the fabulous Itcubamba canyon. Box lunch included. Arrival in Chachapoyas and transfer to the hotel.
DAY 6: CHACHAPOYAS (Karajía) | INC: B/BL.
We will reach the village of Cruzpata and then walk to see the Karajia Sarcophaguses: 2 meter tall figures, which are hollow inside and covered with a mixture of clay, straw and gravel spread on top of a wooden structure. A pear shaped chamber protects the mummy, which was sitting and wrapped with deer skin. Box lunch and then we will continue our trip to the Quiocta Caves, where we will find incredible calcareous needles of various shapes and sizes, known as stalactites and stalagmites. Return to Chachapoyas.
DAY 7: CHACHAPOYAS (Kuelap) | INC: B/L.
This day we will visit the archeological complex of Kuelap consisting of hundreds of round houses covered by clouds at 3000 asl. We will explore ceremonial constructions and aqueducts. Although Kuelap was discovered 60 years before Machu Picchu, it is not so well known worldwide. However, recent findings in nearby areas associated with Kuelap and its history has attracted the attention of archeologists, international magazines and the movie industry. Lunch in a local restaurant. Return to Chachapoyas.
DAY 8: CHACHAPOYAS/CHICLAYO| INC: B/L.
Return to Chiclayo. Box lunch included. Transfer to the airport in due time.