DESTINATIONS IN PERU - COAST
IN THE LOCALITY OF TRUJILLO
Chan Chan - Huaca del Arco Iris - Huaca del Sol y de la Luna - Huanchaco - Huaca el Brujo

Only 6 km away from Trujillo on the way to Huanchaco the remains of the capital of the Chimú (1000 to 1450 AD), Chan Chan, is located. In ancient times Chan Chan was the biggest of all claybrick cities and home to the Chimú culture between the 12th till 15th century. The city hosted about 60,000 people and spreads out in an area of about 20 km. The city consists of 10 ' 'Ciudadelas' (citadels)t. The Ciudadela Rivero is spread over 8,7 hectares, the biggest citadel, Ciudadela gran Chimú even more at 22,1 hectares. In the old Mochan language the cities name 'Chan Chan' translates as 'Sun Sun'.
The archaeological site was assigned World Cultural Heritage in 1986. Today on about 7 square kilometres you can inspect homes, studios, workshops, labyrinths, walls and ancient corridors of the influencial culture of the pre-Inca period. It is a must to visit the ruins if you are in the Trujillo area, as you can still feel the power and importance that this city once held.

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The ' Dragon pyramid' Huaca del Dragon is certainly worth a visit. The walls of this impressive ceremonial Chimú site are decorated with reliefs and colourful figures and because of this it is also called the 'Rainbow pyramid' Huaca del Arco Iris.

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The pyramid of sun and moon are evidence for the much older Moche culture (200 to 800 AD) who also reigned in this area. The sun pyramid has a base of 345 x 160m and was built out of millions of typical Adobe clay brick stones. Colorful reliefs make visiting these pyramids an unforgettable adventure. The archaeological excavations are still running and you may be looking at walls that have been excavated only few days before your visit.
As there are sand storms in the afternoons it is highly recommended to visit the site in the morning.

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Being only a few kilometres away from Chan Chan this fishing village is a popular place to relax and to go swimming. In Huanchaco you can watch the cane horses (cane boats) which the Moche people have used for fishing for over 1000 years now. Furthermore you can eat in one of the numerous fish restaurants. The church is built in colonial style upon a hill from where you have a magnificent view over the village.

How to get there: 13 km north of Trujillo, by minibus or by taxi

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The Huaca El Brujo has only been discovered very recently in the North of Trujillo. It is a complex of ruins measuring about 2 square kilometres and consists of three temple pyramids. Due to the excavations of the Lambayeque culture's ruins still being completed, it is only possible to visit them with a special permission.

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