Trujillo
is bold colonial facades
Welcome to Trujillo
Stand in the right spot and the glamorous streets of old Trujillo look like they’ve barely changed in hundreds of years. Well, there are more honking taxis now, but the city still manages to put on a dashing show with its polychrome buildings and profusion of colonial-era churches. Most people come here to visit the remarkable pre-Incan archaeological sites nearby, spending just a short time wandering the compact city center.
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Trujillo activities
Archeological Tour from Trujillo: Chan Chan, Huanchaco, Sun and Moon Temples, and Dragon Temple
Your day trip from Trujillo starts with hotel pickup for the 15-minute drive south of town to the Temple of the Sun (Huaca del Sol) and Temple of the Moon (Huaca de la Luna), collectively known as the Temples of Moche (Huacas de Moche). When you arrive, you'll learn about the Moche people, the civilization that inhabited northern Peru from the 1st to 8th centuries and built the two temples you have come to see. Explore the site with your guide, enjoying close-up views of both temples and learning about their history and significance. Built out of adobe brick, both the Sun and Moon temples played important roles in the life of the Moche; archeologists think that the stepped Temple of the Sun was used for administrative and military purposes, while the terraced Temple of the Moon provided religious and ceremonial functions. Admire the impressive frescoes that adorn the walls of the Temple of the Moon, and marvel at the size of the Temple of the Sun, which is the bigger of the two.Next, continue your day trip to Huaco el Dragon, the Temple of the Dragon, also known as Huaco del Arco Iris, or Temple of the Rainbow. As you enter the site, you’ll be transitioning from the Moche to the Chimú, a civilization that developed in northern Peru around 900 AD, after the Moche died out, and inhabited the region until the Incas came in the 1400s. With your guide, admire the adobe pyramid’s intricate frieze detailing before leaving for your next destination, Huanchaco, about a 20-minute drive west.Located on the coast, Huanchaco is a fishing village and beach town known for its caballitos de totora (little reed horses), small boats made out of reed that have been used by fishermen in Peru for 3,000 years. Learn about their interesting history from your guide (there is some debate that these tiny watercraft — ridden like a horse — constituted the first form of riding waves, aka surfing), and then have lunch at a local seafood restaurant. After lunch, head to your last stop of the day, the former Chimú capital of Chan Chan. This World Heritage-listed ancient city is South America’s largest pre-Columbian city and was the center of Chimú politics and culture from approximately 900 to 1470, when it was conquered by the Incan Empire. Tour the 7-square-mile (18-sq-km) archeological site with your guide, checking out its shrines, cemeteries, barns, reservoirs and ceremonial plazas. Learn about its structure of adobe brick and mud; marvel at its expansive, walled design; and visit the Nik-An Palace, a complex that features ceremonial courtyards and walls adorned with friezes. Your day trip ends with hotel drop-off in Trujillo.
Trujillo Combo Tour: Temple of the Dragon, Chan Chan and Huanchaco
After hotel pickup in Trujillo, your tour starts at Huaco el Dragon, the Temple of the Dragon — also known as Huaco del Arco Iris, or Temple of the Rainbow — just a 10-minute drive from central Trujillo. Built for religious and ceremonial purposes by the Chimú people, who lived in northern Peru from about 900 AD to the 1400s, the adobe pyramid is known for its intricate frieze murals. With your guide, walk around the temple and learn a bit about the history of and theories behind the site — the temple features carvings of a dragon (hence its name), and it’s believed that the temple was used during rituals to honor the rainbow (hence its other name). Continue your tour to your next site, the former Chimú capital of Chan Chan. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the largest pre-Columbian city in South America and was the center of Chimú culture and politics from approximately 900 to 1470, when the Incan Empire arrived and conquered the city. Explore the 7-square-mile (18-sq-km) archeological site with your guide, touring its array of shrines, cemeteries, reservoirs and ceremonial plazas. Learn about its structure — made from adobe brick and mud — and marvel at its expansive, walled design. You’ll visit one of the main features, Nik-An Palace, a complex that features ceremonial courtyards and walls adorned with friezes. Next, head about 15 minutes to Huanchaco, a fishing village and beach town known for its caballitos de totora (little reed horses), small boats made out of reed that have been used by Peruvian fisherman for 3,000 years. While you admire their interesting design, hear about their history and modern-day use from your guide.Your tour ends with hotel drop-off in Trujillo.
Boqueron Beach Puerto Rico Coastline 2-Hour Jet Ski Adventure
You’ll start your adventure with a 15-minute safety course as well as a lesson on the “rules of the water course” where we will go over proper operation of the Seadoo GTI 130SE's and proper driving etiquette before you depart on this adventure. The first hour of the tour you will head North through the incredibly calm waters of the bay of Boquerón, and head out to the open waters past Punta Melones en route to Combate. Next, you'll go past an impressive rock and reef coastline and continue into the Bahia Salinas where you’ll experience the extraordinary shades of the blue sea as well as the rock and reef formations! You will be cruising over these formations on the jet skis as you continue to the Cabo Rojo's famous light house! The tour continues beyond Cabo Rojo’s lighthouse cruising past and around the 200 foot cliffs and entering into the immaculate waters of Playa Sucia. Be sure bring your camera to get some great pictures of the cliffs, lighthouse and the land bridge, because not many get this view from the water that Cabo Rojo boasts! From Playa Sucia you will head north passing all of the favorite beaches of the locals en route to Isla Ratones. At Isla Ratones you will have a chance to take a swim in the crystal clear waters or take a walk on the tiny island off the coast of Cabo Rojo. There will be a stop along the way at one of the coastal towns to get refreshments and a quick bite to eat if you’d like! Snorkel time is also possible and GoPros can be rented so that you don't miss a memory!
Private Tour: El Brujo Archeological Complex
After you are picked up at your Trujillo hotel by your private guide, your El Brujo experience begins with the 1-hour drive northwest to the archeological complex. When you arrive, take a 2-hour tour of the site with your guide, who will give you all kinds of information about the history and current state of the ruins and tell you about the Moche people, who built El Brujo between the years 1 and 600 AD. Learn about the three huacas (temples) that make up the site — Huaca Cao Viejo, Huaca Partida and Huaca Prieta — and hear the theory behind the site’s name, El Brujo (The Witch). Admire the detailed drawings and carvings that can be seen on the sides of the structures, and hear about the religious ceremonies that took place in the temples. Then visit the on-site museum dedicated to the Lady of Cao, a female mummy just discovered in 2006. Excavated in a highly preserved state, the Lady of Cao is thought to have been an important woman, as she was found surrounded by extravagant jewelry and weapons. See the mummy and her treasures inside the museum before heading back to Trujillo with your guide.
Private Combo Tour: Trujillo Sightseeing, Archeology Museum, Temples of the Sun and Moon, Huanchaco and Chan Chan
After hotel pickup, your full-day tour of Trujillo and its surrounding attractions starts with a private city sightseeing tour. Head to the Urquiaga-Calonge House, a colonial mansion now owned by the Central Reserve Bank of Peru, and then enjoy a panoramic driving tour to see city sights like Belem Church, Baanante House and the Central Market. While you drive, listen to commentary from your private guide about the city’s history and architecture. Next, visit the National University of Trujillo Museum of Archeology, Anthropology and History (Museo de Arqueología, Antropología e Historia de la Universidad Nacional de Trujillo). With your guide, tour the museum to discover its collection of jewelry, ceramics, mosaics and other artifacts from Peru’s pre-Hispanic cultures such as the Chimú and the Moche. Then return to your vehicle to continue your tour, passing by sights like San Lorenzo Church, El Carmen Church, Campana House, the Superior Court, La Merced Church and Plazuela El Recreo.When the sightseeing tour ends, head about 15 minutes south of town to the Temple of the Sun (Huaca del Sol) and Temple of the Moon (Huaca de la Luna), collectively known as the Temples of Moche (Huacas de Moche). Built out of adobe brick by the Moche, the civilization that inhabited northern Peru from the 1st to 8th centuries, the temples served as military, religious and ceremonial centers. Explore the site with your guide, enjoying views of both temples and learning about their history and significance. Admire the impressive frescoes that adorn the walls of the Temple of the Moon, and marvel at the size of the Temple of the Sun, which is the bigger of the two.Next, continue your day trip to Huanchaco, a fishing village and beach town known for its caballitos de totora (little reed horses), small boats made out of reed that have been used by fishermen in Peru for 3,000 years. Learn about their history and interesting design, and then have lunch at a local seafood restaurant. Lastly, head to your final stop of the day, Chan Chan, the ancient capital of the Chimú people, who inhabited northern Peru after the Moche. This World Heritage site is South America’s largest pre-Columbian city and was the center of Chimú life from approximately 900 to 1470, when it was conquered by the Incas. Tour the 7-square-mile (18-sq-km) archeological site with your guide, admiring its shrines, burial sites, reservoirs and plazas. Learn about its structure of adobe brick and mud, and visit the Nik-An Palace, a complex that features ceremonial courtyards and walls adorned with friezes. Your tour ends with hotel drop-off in Trujillo.
Boqueron Beach 1-Hour Jet Ski Adventure
You’ll start your adventure with a 15-minute safety course as well as a lesson on the “rules of the water course” where we will go over proper operation of the Seadoo GTI 130SE's and proper driving etiquette before you depart on this adventure.Departing on our adventure from Boqueron Beach, you will head North through the incredibly calm waters of the bay and head out to the open water past Punta Melones en route to Combate Beach. Next, you’ll go past an impressive rock and reef coastline and miles of white sand beaches and continue into the Bahia Salinas where you’ll experience the extraordinary shades of the blue sea as well as the rock and reef formations! You will be cruising over these formations on the jet skis as you continue to Cabo Rojo's famous lighthouse where you will stop to take some pictures. You can even take a swim in the crystal clear waters of Playa Sucia! Afterwards, you'll start the ride back to Boqueron Beach.