Over 5 days, you will explore Peru’s northern coast and discover cultures that flourished long before the Inca Empire reached its greatest expansion. Traveling through Trujillo and Chiclayo, you will visit important Moche and Chimú sites such as the Huaca del Sol (temple of the Sun) and the Huaca de la Luna (temple of the Moon), Chan Chan, and El Brujo. The journey continues to places connected to the Lady of Cao and the Lord of Sipán, where major archaeological discoveries reveal their power, beliefs, art, and way of life. This 5-day journey offers a different way to understand Peru’s history through its rich pre-Inca past.
This tour to Trujillo and Chiclayo is a unique experience that will allow you to discover the cultural and archeological treasures of northern Peru. During the tour, you will explore the impressive pyramids of the Moche and Chimu cultures, visit fascinating museums, and enjoy the vibrant urban life of Trujillo and Chiclayo. You will also have the opportunity to sample the delicious local cuisine and meet the friendly and welcoming people who inhabit this beautiful region of the country. If you are looking for an adventure full of history, culture and fun, the “Trujillo and Chiclayo” tour is the perfect option for you.
- Starting Point: Trujillo
- Ending Point: Chiclayo
- Places to Visit: the Huacas del Sol and la Luna, Chan Chan, and El Brujo
- Best Travel Season: May – October
- Accommodations Included
- Transfers Included
- Activities and Excursions
- Daily Departures
Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Trujillo
According to your flight schedule, our team will meet you at the airport and we will drive you to your hotel in Trujillo. You have the afternoon free to explore more of the city.
- Overnight: Hotel in Trujillo
- Meals Included: none
Day 2: Tour to Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna - Huaca Arco Iris and Site Museum + Huanchaco Beach and Chan Chan Citadel
In the morning, approximately 08:30h, our first destination is the archaeological site of Huacas del Sol and Huacas de la Luna. This archaeological site has two impressive truncated pyramids and is located in an environment marked by the majesty of Cerro Blanco. During the years 100 to 900 A.D., these huacas were the epicenter of the power of the ancient Mochica people.
Today we can find under the earth’s surface, between the two pyramids, an urban nucleus that includes large avenues, houses, alleys, squares and corridors. In the Site Museum “Huacas de Moche”, you can observe the iconography and the famous ceramics of the Mochica culture, such as the well-known huaco portraits, as well as gold and silver figures and scenes of ritual battles between warriors.
Our transportation will take us to the Huanchaco Beach Resort, where the ancient Mochicas created ceviche, an emblematic dish of Peruvian cuisine that has achieved international fame. There we will have lunch. After lunch, we will head to Huaca El Dragon, an archaeological site of the Chimu culture. This temple is surrounded by a wall that was decorated with the Rainbow, which symbolized fertility. And ending our day, we go to Chan Chan, also known as Nik-An Palace. At the time of its greatest expansion, it covered an area of more than 20 Km2, although at present its extension is limited to only 14 Km2. This impressive mud city is considered “The Longest Mud City in the World”.
- Overnight: Hotel in Trujillo
- Meals Included: breakfast
Day 3: Trip from Trujillo to Chiclayo - El Brujo Archeological Complex and Cao Museum Tour
At 07:30h, we will stop at your hotel and embark for our trip to Chiclayo. En route, we will visit the archaeological complex El Brujo and the Cao Museum.
El Brujo is one of the oldest and most important archaeological complexes of the northern coast of Peru, which houses more than 4,500 years of history. This archaeological complex (2,500 B.C.) is composed of three important sites: Huaca Cortada, Huaca Prieta and, at the southern end, is the Huaca Cao Viejo, the oldest, with its impressive polychrome reliefs of naked characters tied by the neck with a rope, known as “prisoners”.
In the Cao Museum is the most significant finding of Peruvian culture: The Señora de Cao, the only woman ruler believed to have ruled ancient Peru, whose tattooed mummy, in a perfect state of preservation, has been the greatest archaeological discovery in recent years. In the afternoon we will arrive in Chiclayo, where we will have lunch in a traditional restaurant of the region.
Transfer to the hotel.
- Overnight: Hotel in Chiclayo
- Included meal: breakfast
Day 4: Huaca Rajada and Sipan Royal Tombs Museum
In the morning at a previously arranged time, we leave for Huaca Rajada.
Huaca Rajada is an archaeological complex located in the town of Sipan, where the mausoleum of the Lord of Sipan, one of the most powerful Moche rulers of his time, was found.
During the archaeological work, fine gold, silver and copper jewelry was discovered, as well as ceremonial utensils that are helping to better understand the Moche culture. In this archaeological site there are many more tombs of different members of the Moche elite, whose findings are exhibited in an interesting site museum.
We will have some time to enjoy our lunch, before continuing to our next destination the Tomb of the Lord of Sipan.
The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum is one of the most impressive and modern archaeological museums in South America, shows all the wealth and ostentation with which the Lord of Sipan was buried: gold and silver jewelry, fine looms, emblems of religious and military power, and lots of ceremonial utensils,
concentrating more than two thousand pieces of gold. The discovery of the Royal Tombs of the Lord of Sipan marked an important milestone in the archaeology of the continent, because for the first time the magnificence and majesty of the oldest ruler of Peru found to that date was revealed.
- Overnight: Hotel in Chiclayo
- Included meal: breakfast
Day 5: Hotel –Chiclayo Airport (Buy return flights at the time of your choice)
According to your flight schedule, we will transfer you from your hotel to the airport in Chiclayo with 3 hours before your departure.
End of our services
If your flight departs in the afternoon from Chiclayo, ask us about one of the optional half day tours.
- City Tour + Witches Market
- Tucume Pyramids
- Lord of Sicán Museum
Included
What's Included
Día 1
- Traslado Aeropuerto – Hotel en Trujillo (privado)
- Asistencia
Día 2
- Tour Huaca del Sol y Huaca de la Luna
- Huaca Arco Iris y Museo de Sitio
- Huanchaco Beach y Ciudadela de Chan Chan
- Transporte, guía y entradas incluidas
- Asistencia
Día 3
- Viaje de Trujillo a Chiclayo
- Complejo Arqueológico El Brujo y Museo Cao
- Transporte, guía y entradas incluidas
- Asistencia
Día 4
- Tour Huaca Rajada y Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán
- Transporte, guía y entradas incluidas
- Asistencia
Día 5
- Traslado Hotel – Aeropuerto Chiclayo
- Asistencia
Hoteles
- 2 noches hotel en Trujillo con desayuno
- 2 noches hotel en Chiclayo (Calientes) con desayuno
Not Included
- Drinks except those mentioned in the itinerary
- Meals except those mentioned in the itinerary
- Snacks
- Phone calls
- Extra spending money
- Tips/gratuities
- Travel insurance
Optional Services
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu mountain or Machu Picchu mountain: USD 80.00 per person (must be booked in advance)
- Return Train VISTADOME/360° with panoramic views, typical dance show (Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo) - Upgrade service: USD 65,00 per person
Pricing
Customize your journey through Northern Peru
- Pricing varies depending on your preferred hotel category, room type, travel dates, and selected services as you explore the archaeological treasures of Chiclayo and Trujillo.
Contact our travel advisors for a personalized quote tailored to your trip.
What to Bring
- Passport with at least 6 months validity
- Light daypack
- Refillable water bottle
- Toilet paper
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Sunhat
- Clothing for hot and cold weather conditions
- Long-sleeved shirts, (due to there being mosquitos in Machu Picchu)
- Rain gear or poncho
- Extra memory stick and additional batteries
- Walking shoes/boots
- Extra Cash in soles and small denominations if possible
- Camera
- Personal medications (for headaches, anti-inflammatory´s etc).
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my flight to Trujillo is delayed?
If your flight schedule changes or your arrival is delayed, please let us know your updated arrival time as soon as possible. This will allow us to review and coordinate your airport pickup accordingly. Since the scheduled sightseeing begins the following day, your first day is mainly reserved for your arrival in Trujillo and time to settle in at your hotel.
Do I need to acclimate before taking this tour?
No special altitude acclimatization is required for this itinerary. The tour takes place mainly along Peru’s northern coast, between Trujillo and Chiclayo, unlike high-altitude destinations such as Cusco. However, we still recommend getting enough rest after your flight, staying hydrated, and starting your trip at a comfortable pace.
Is this tour a good option for my first trip to Peru?
Yes, especially if you are interested in discovering a different side of Peru’s history. During these 5 days, you will explore the legacy of the Moche and Chimú cultures, which developed long before the expansion of the Inca Empire. You will visit archaeological sites, ancient adobe cities, ceremonial centers, and museums that help explain the history of Peru’s northern coast. This itinerary can also be combined with other destinations if you are planning a longer trip through Peru.
Can I customize the itinerary or add extra days in Trujillo or Chiclayo?
Yes. You can request additional nights or extra activities in Trujillo or Chiclayo. If you would like more time in either city or want to add other visits before or after the 5-day itinerary, let us know your travel dates and interests so we can review the available options for your trip.
How far in advance should I book this tour?
We recommend booking this tour at least 3 months in advance. This gives you more time to plan your trip comfortably and helps ensure better availability for the scheduled services.
Hotel availability and room categories may vary depending on your travel dates, so we recommend checking with one of our travel advisors. They can provide the available hotel options and help you choose the one that best fits your trip.
What is the best time of year to travel the Moche Route?
May through October is one of the recommended periods for traveling the Moche Route. However, the tour can also be taken during other times of the year. Since many of the visits take place at outdoor archaeological sites, we recommend checking the expected weather conditions for your travel dates and preparing accordingly.
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