Welcome to Chiclayo
Spanish missionaries founded a small rural community on this site in the 16th century. Either by chance or through help from above, Chiclayo has prospered ever since. In one of the first sharp moves in Peruvian real estate, the missionaries chose a spot that sits at the hub of vital trade routes connecting the coast, the highlands and the deep jungle. Chiclayo’s role as the commercial heart of the district has allowed it to overtake other once-vital organs of the region.
Top experiences in Chiclayo
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Chiclayo activities
Chiclayo to Sican Museum and Batan Grande Site Half-Day Tour
After hotel pickup, head with your guide about 22 miles (35 km) north of Chiclayo to the Pómac Forest Historical Sanctuary (Santuario Histórico Bosque de Pómac), an area of protected algarrobo trees that cover the grounds of Batan Grande, an old sugar cane farm where the Sicán archeological ruins are located. You have about 1.5 hours here to explore with your guide. Admire the dozens of ancient pyramids built by the Sicán people, who inhabited this region from around 750 to 1300 AD, after the Moche people. Learn about the amazing discovery in 1992 of an ancient tomb that held an important member of Sicán society. Inside the tomb, archeologists found an enormous amount of masks, crowns, bracelets, weapons, armor and other precious metals and jewelry, most of which now resides at the National Museum of Sicán, your next stop.When you arrive at the museum in the town of Ferreñafe, take a 1.5-hour tour with your guide. Learn about Sicán life and culture as you examine artifacts like feathered funeral masks, textiles, pottery, gold and silver items, and other valuable objects found in the Batan Grande tomb. Plus, admire a replica of the tomb, and learn about the excavation process through the museum’s detailed displays. Your tour ends with hotel drop-off back in Chiclayo.
Chiclayo to Huaca Rajada, Tucume and Sipan Tombs: Private Tour
After hotel pickup in Chiclayo, your tour starts with the 45-minute drive east to Huaca Rajada, the archeological site where the remains of the Moche mummy known as the Lord of Sipán were found in 1987. When you arrive, walk around with your private guide to see the adobe pyramid built by the Moche people, the civilization that inhabited this region from the 1st to 8th centuries. While you explore, learn about the important excavation that unearthed the Lord of Sipán, who was entombed with jewels and other treasures. Then travel about an hour north, on the other side of Chiclayo, to Túcume, also known as the Valley of the Pyramids (Valle de las Pirámides). Made up of 26 pyramids, this archeological site was once the regional center for the Sican culture, who succeeded the Moche people and lived in this region until approximately 1375. Next, head to an area restaurant with your guide to enjoy a lunch of traditional regional cuisine, and then travel back toward Chiclayo to your final stop, the Lord of Sipán Royal Tombs Museum (Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán). Housed in this museum, which opened in 2002, are some of the rarest artifacts from the Moche civilization, including the treasures found buried with the Lord of Sipán. Before entering, take a few minutes to admire the museum’s striking exterior — a replica of a Moche tomb. Then head inside to see gold and silver artifacts, precious stones, jewelry, headdresses and more, and learn about the Moche culture and what position the Lord of Sipán held in the ancient community. After the museum, you’ll be dropped off at your hotel.
Nature & Wildlife Reserve Chaparri
Since 2001 Chaparri Community has been working together towards conservation. This is why at this moment this reserve is the oldest one managed by the local community. • 8.30am the tour starts from Chiclayo main square • 11am we will reach Chaparri Reserve • 11-13h we will learn about the community work towards conservation while we drive through the reserve searching for wildlife • 13h-14h local lunch • 14h-15h we will visit the community houses to learn more about their costumes and handcrafts. • 17h back to Chiclayo This tour is destinated to those travelers who search a connection with nature and who want to support community development through ecotourism. A part of this tour price is mainly destinated to the local community. Even though there are many species living in the reserve, it is not always guaranteed we will see them. Some especies prefer to be ignored so they will hide.Some species in the reserve: • Penelope albipennis • Leptotila ochraceiventris • Aratinga erythrogenys • Forpus coelestis • Caprimulgus anthonyi • Picumnus sclateri • Tumbezia salvini • Phytotoma raimondii
Moche culture: The Lord of Sipan - Full Day Private
The tour stars at 10.30am and ends at 3pm. During this day we will learn about Moche culture and Lambayeque culture.The Moche Civilization was based in modern Peru. Although they left no written language, their culture was preserved in their art. A polytheistic culture that practiced human sacrifice, the Moche valued the priests and the warriors above all other people.The Lord of Sipán (El Señor de Sipán) is the name given to the first of several Moche mummies found at Huaca Rajada, Sipán, Peru by archaeologist Walter Alva. The site was discovered in 1987.Some archaeologists consider this find to be one of the most important archaeological discoveries in South America in the last 30 years, as the main tomb was found intact and untouched by thieves. By 2007, fourteen tombs had been located and identified at Huaca Rajada.[1]The Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum was constructed in nearby Lambayeque to hold most of the artifacts and interpret the tombs. It opened in 2002 and Dr. Alva is director.
Full day: Huaca Rajada, Tucume and Sipan Royal Tombs
Pick up from accommodation in Chiclayo around 10am. We will start our visit with Archaeological Complex Huaca Rajada we will visit to the site where the excavations of the Señor de Sipán are located, and the New Museum of the site, where the last discovered jewels are expose.The we will follow to the Archaeological Complex of Túcume, Valley of the 26 adobe pyramids that testify the most exceptional period of the Lambayeque Culture, with the residences of dynasties of the Rulers. Tour to the Pyramid I, Cerro Purgatorio and Mirador.Next we go to the restaurant where you can have lunch (lunch not included)After lunch we will visit the Museum Real Tombs Of The Lord Of Sipan, located in Lambayeque, considered one of the most complete and didactic exhibitions of the discovery with the detail of the belongings belonging to the Rulers and the interpretation of the iconography of the Moche culture. Artisanal purchases in the workshops of ceramics, goldsmiths replicas of the works of the Moche.Finally return to the city of Chiclayo 6:00 pm.
Private Tour: Brüning National Archeological Museum
After hotel pickup, head with your private guide about 15 minutes northwest of Chiclayo to the Brüning National Archeological Museum (Museo Arqueológico Nacional Brüning) in Lambayeque.When you get inside, your guide will lead you around, explaining the museum’s 1,500-plus pieces. Named after German researcher and antiques collector, Hans Heinrich Brüning, who moved to Peru in 1875, the museum houses the extensive collection of artifacts that Brüning gathered during his time there, as well as additional items that have since been donated and acquired. The museum covers several of northern Peru’s ancient cultures, including the Moche, Chimu and Chavin. See pottery, ceremonial objects, wood items, extravagant jewelry, precious stones, metals, textiles and more, including items from the famous Lord of Sipán tomb. Don’t miss one of the museum’s highlights, the Sala de Oro (Gold Room), where many gold objects like masks and vases are kept safe. After your tour, your guide will return you to your hotel in Chiclayo.