The Moche Route from Chiclayo to Trujillo

Our tour begins in the coastal city of Chiclayo from where we first drive to Huaca Rajada, an archaeological complex located in the town of Sipán. This is where we explore the fascinating mausoleum of El Señor de Sipán (The Lord of Sipán), one of the most powerful Moche lords or rulers. For many archaeologists, the unearthing of this tomb was one of the important archaeological discoveries in South America in the last few decades. It was found intact and untouched by thieves (unlike many tombs looted by grave robbers), and inside were discovered a huge amount golden artefacts, silver, jewels and various other valuable and wonderfully made ceremonial utensils. 

After visiting Huaca Rajada, we will continue to Lambayeque and the Tumbas Reales de Sipán Museum, one of the most impressive and modern museums in South America. Here we can see many artifacts found at Huaca Rajada, including all the items from the tomb of El Señor de Sipán, which were moved here for safe keeping. It really is a stunning museum, both in terms of its design – which reflects the design of Moche pyramids – and its content. 

Next we head south towards Trujillo, stopping off at the vast El Brujo Archaeological Complex. This is one of the most important archaeological complexes on the north coast of Peru, with a history spanning more than 4,500 years and various civilizations, including the Moche. The complex consists of three different sectors. Huaca Prieta is the site of a prehistoric settlement that, almost five thousand years ago, was a thriving center for the local marine economy, and many artifacts have been found to show the presence of fishermen and shellfish pickers. The site also has important links to the early domestication of plants, such as cotton (used for fishing nets and twines), pumpkin, chilies, avocados and lima beans.

A second sector, Huaca Cortada, consists of a truncated pyramid built of adobe bricks and with a terraced profile. It was built during the Moche era, and is about 103 meters long, 98 meters wide and 22 meters tall. In the extreme south of the complex is the oldest structure, the Huaca Cao Viejo, which was the main Moche shrine. Built in the first centuries AD, this stepped truncated pyramids features polychrome reliefs of people tied by the neck with a rope, probably representing prisoners or slaves. Huaca Cao Viejo is also famous for the discovery of the Señora de Cao, whose remains are the earliest evidence for a female ruler in Peru.

After exploring the El Brujo Archaeological Complex, we will visit the nearby Cao Museum. Here you can see the mummified remains of the Señora de Cao, her body still showing the tattoos on her skin. A modern autopsy of the remains revealed that the Señora de Cao was in her mid-twenties when she died, and that she might have died due to complications during pregnancy or childbirth. The valuable artifacts found at her burial site, as well as weapons, indicate that she may have been a high ranking priestess or, quite possibly, a Moche ruler. This reveals much about the Moche, as it was previously believed that only men could become rulers in Moche society.

Here we end our full-day tour and head a little further south to the city of Trujillo, where we will take you to your hotel.