If you’ve been following our Trujillo travel guide, you surely know all the different mysteries the so-called City of Eternal Spring holds for you, from an Instagram-worthy colonial center to the impressive pre-Inca archeological sites in the surroundings of the city.
For that reason, we have prepared a special itinerary where you’ll get to explore the main attractions in Trujillo on a day trip!
The city is recognized for its towering ancient pyramids, where the ancient Peruvians developed extensive agricultural, engineering, and architectural knowledge throughout the years.
Dare to uncover the secrets of these ancient civilizations and explore northern Peru like an expert. Our Trujillo Archaeological City Tour will take you on a back-in-time journey that you surely can’t miss. Learn everything about it here.
1. Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna
Hidden in the vast Moche Valley in northern Peru lie two outstanding pre-Inca structures that extend over 60 hectares. Two constructions that represented the political and religious power of the Moche culture, the greatest civilization of Trujillo.
Huaca del Sol is believed to be the administrative center of the Moche (Mochica) culture and the residence palace for the Moche elite. Unfortunately, almost 70% of its structure was destroyed by the Spaniards which changed the course of the Moche River causing floods to later loot this ancient structure.
Huaca de la Luna is the most preserved temple in the archeological site. According to the findings, this was the religious center of this ancient civilization. A burial place was found Inside this “moon temple,” apparently for sacrificed warriors. Learn more about Huaca del Sol & Huaca de la Luna here.
2. Huaca Arcoiris
Also known as Huaca del Dragón, it is another Pre-Inca structure located on the outskirts of Trujillo. This ancient temple was a ceremonial and administrative center built entirely of adobe. Its walls are decorated with murals with anthropomorphic figures that represent a rainbow.
However, due to the lack of information about this ceremonial center, there’s a constant debate about whether this structure belonged to the Mochica or Chimú culture.
3. Chan Chan Citadel
It is the largest city made entirely of adobe within pre-Columbian America. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 due to its historical and cultural importance. This ancient citadel was the capital of the Chimú Empire, which was later conquered by the Incas around the 1500s.
The Chan Chan Citadel is composed of several walled citadels and palaces. It has an extension of 20 km2, located 5 kilometers away from the city of Trujillo. One of the unmissable attractions of the so-called City of Eternal Spring.
4. Tschudi Palace
This ancient temple is located within the Chan Chan archeological site. It is believed to be a sea cult center belonging to the Chimú culture.
Its walls are decorated with high relief figures of fishes that face to the north and south, from which archeologists have deduced that they represented the two currents that mark the Peruvian coast: The Humboldt, coming from the south, and El Niño current, coming from the north.
Finishing the tour, we’ll get to visit Huanchaco Beach City, where you’ll spot the Totora reed boats, a legacy left behind by the renowned Chimu culture. You’ll also get to experience the magical sunset from the pier.
As you already know, Trujillo is located north of Peru, about a 9-hour drive or 1-hour flight from the Gastronomic Capital of Peru, Lima. If you’re looking to explore northern Peru, we have structured the best travel itinerary for you, make sure to check it while you’re here.
To book the Trujillo Archaeological City Tour, you just need to contact our team. If you wish, we will optimize your time and adventure with a tailor-made travel itinerary for you.
Likewise, we care to provide the best experience to every one of our passengers, which is why we count on certified drivers, professional guides, and an all-time monitored car fleet with GPS tracking.
General Information:
- Entrance Fees: Already included in the travel package.
- Included: Transport, English speaking guide.
Would you like to know more about Peru? Here you’ll find all the information you need for your trip. Our local expert team has prepared the most complete informative guides for you!
Also, if you’re eager to know Peru at its fullest, check out our travel packages and live an authentic experience with Viagens Machu Picchu.
