Trujillo and Chiclayo, in that order as you go north up the coast from Lima, are only a few hours apart and so it’s easy to fit them into one trip.
This is ancient Mochica and Chimu territory, and you can see differences in the artwork and belief systems compared to the Inca highlands, with much more marine presence.
As it is known, Trujillo, or the City of Eternal Springtime, is a charming city filled with stately mansions, colonial balconies, and cobbled streets. The town was home to Spanish landowners whose wealth drew pirates’ attention, so a wall was built around the city that’s still stands today. Here you have to see Chan Chan, the largest mud city in the world. A great and relaxing place to stay near Trujillo if you want a bit of beach time in Huanchaco, where you can watch fishermen take out their typical caballitos de totora boats, and there’s also great surfing to be done!
PERU’S NORTHERN COAST & CULTURE
On the other hand, Chiclayo is not the most appealing of cities in itself. Still, it is the best base for visiting nearby archeological and natural wonders of the Sipan culture. It is well known for its culinary scene, which claims to be one of the best in Peru….arroz con pato (rice with duck) is a must-try and will tantalize your tastebuds! Interestingly enough, Chiclayo, now called the City of Friendship, was one of the few cities in Peru not founded by the Spanish; it was a rural Indian village that has steadily grown over the years. The highlight of your trip to this city will be the Señor de Sipan Museum, which houses treasures from the tomb of a Mochica lord who ruled Peru over 1,600 years ago, considered to be one of the most intact discoveries in the world.
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WHAT NOT TO MISS IN CHICLAYO & TRUJILLO
Chan Chan (Trujillo)
The largest pre-Columbian city in the Americas is Chan Chan (1300 AD). There were 10 walled citadels, also called royal compounds, in the Chimú capital, each had a royal burial mound full of large quantities of funeral offerings. After the Incas conquered the town, the riches remained undisturbed, nothing but gold dust remained after the Spaniards.
Huacas del Sol y la Luna (Trujillo)
The Sun and Moon Temples are over 700 years older than Chan Chan. Huaca de la Luna, with its phenomenal multicolored friezes, is the principal attraction. There are clear views of the greater Huaca del Sol from the site, which is Peru’s most large single pre-Columbian formation. With six successive generations building on it, the Huaca was founded over six centuries to AD 600.
Huanchaco (Trujillo)
Huanchaco is a tranquil beach town and small fishing village, about 6.2 miles (10 km) from Trujillo. Most of its prominence came from the long, narrow reed ships lining the coastline. These age-old crafts are only used by a few local fishermen nowadays. There are great waves for young surfers, and a relaxing environment to explore the ruins and surroundings of Trujillo.
Señor del Sipán (Chiclayo)
Arguably one of the best museums in Peru, and even Latin America, the Señor del Sipan Museum puts on an astonishing display of gold, silver and many other treasures. The tombs’ collection of jewelry is one of the world’s most important; gold earrings with intricate gold and turquoise figures are the most beautiful items.
Tucume Pyramids (Chiclayo)
The Pyramids Valley is a mystery-shrouded area of mysterious construction dating back to ancient times, the fossil remains are comparable to King Tutankhamen, the Pharaoh’s tomb. The contents of the tombs are displayed in the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipan. The tomb stands as firm evidence of the great wealth of gold and precious stone that this civilization had.
Witches Market (Chiclayo)
Situated near the outskirts of Chiclayo, the Mercado Modelo brews tonics, hallucinogenic drinks, aromatic herbs, amulets, sold by brujos (witch doctors), curanderos (healers), and shamans. Ancestral knowledge of plants’ curative properties, and these witch doctors also read cards, tell the future, remove evil spirits, and perform traditional medicine treatments.
destination map
| Title | Address | Description |
|---|---|---|
Machu Picchu | 08680, Perú | Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, is quite possibly the reason you chose to travel to Peru in the first place! It was recently voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and we guarantee that this magical spot will not disappoint you. Read more… |
Cusco | Cusco, Perú | Cusco is the jump off point for a trip into the surrounding Sacred Valley to the less visited ruins and brightly painted churches of the southern valley en route to Puno or to crop circles and Inca salt pans…and of course to the World Wonder of Machu Picchu! Read more… |
Sacred Valley | Valle Sagrado, 08670, Perú | Nestled deep within the Peruvian Andes, the Sacred Valley is home to charming Inca towns, impressive archaeological sites, and traditional local markets. It is also one of the best areas in Peru for a wide range of adventure activities while en route to Machu Picchu. Read more… |
Lima | Lima, Perú | Known as the ‘City of Kings’, Lima is a city of contrasts. A mix of the old world and the new; modernity and tradition…Lima is a chaotic yet fascinating capital city. As well as being Peru’s capital, it is also the capital of gastronomy for all of the Americas! Read more… |
Lake Titicaca / Puno | Titicaca | Legend has it that the children of the sun god, Manco Capac, and his sister, Mama Ocllo, rose from the depths of Lake Titicaca to build the Inca Empire. Explore the floating Uros Islands made from totora reeds and, discover the region’s authentic folklore. Read more… |
Arequipa & Colca Canyon | Chivay, Perú | Legend has it that the children of the sun god, Manco Capac, and his sister, Mama Ocllo, rose from the depths of Lake Titicaca to build the Inca Empire. Explore the floating Uros Islands made from totora reeds and, discover the region’s authentic folklore. Read more… |
Peruvian Amazon | Selva Amazonica, Perú | Early morning bird watching, late night jungle walking, fishing for piranhas, or a visit to the world’s largest macaw’s clay lick where hundreds of birds meet to feed – a truly colorful sight! There’s nothing like the wildlife that thrives in the Peruvian Amazon! Read more… |
Ica, Paracas, Nazca | Ica, Perú | Situated on Peru’s arid desert coastline, this region boasts an interesting mix of ancient local culture, spectacular natural beauty and adventure sports. Ica, Paracas, and Nazca makes a great stop off or break point on a coastal ride towards Arequipa. Read more… |
Trujillo & Chiclayo | Trujillo, Perú | |
Chachapoyas | Chachapoyas, Perú | |
Huaraz | Huaraz, Perú | Surrounded by jagged snowy peaks, glaciers and turquoise blue lakes, Huaraz is a real mountain adventure destination, not to mention home to ancient cultures and charming little villages. Read more… |
Depending on your client’s preferences, we can help you determine the best experiences tailored for your clients. From where to visit, when to go, what to do and how to get there safely, our travel experts will help you create an experience your clients will love.
Best times to
visit Trujillo & Chiclayo
Trujillo and Chiclayo have a mild and dry climate and is good to visit any time of year, although if you want to fully enjoy the beaches, it’s best to go in the summer months (December- April).
practical information
HOW TO GET THERE
Trujillo airport has connecting flights to Lima, Chiclayo, Cajamarca, Tumbes and Chagual for Huamachuco. LATAM and Star Peru offer daily flights to Trujillo from the capital.
The city can also be reached via the Pan-American Highway and by bus. Numerous cities offer bus connections including Lima, Chiclayo and Huaraz. Although the bus journeys can be long, the buses are comfortable and safe.
The Chiclayo Airport is 0.93 miles (1.5km) east of town. LATAM and Avianca have daily flights that depart from Lima to Chiclayo.
Chiclayo is accessible by buses via the North Pan-American Highway. It is 484 miles (780 km) from Peru’s capital city Lima. There are regularly scheduled buses leaving to and from Trujillo, Cajamarca, and Piura. Taking the bus to get around Peru is a great way to go because you get to see the country and meet the locals who call this spectacular country their home.
GETTING AROUND TRUJILLO
Due to huge array of hotels availability, it is not difficult to find accommodation in Trujillo; nonetheless, it is best to make reservations ahead of time. This is especially true if you are traveling to the region during the month of September, when the “Festival Internacional de la Primavera y la Marinera” (the International Spring and Maritime Festival) is held and hundreds of foreign and local tourists flock to the city to celebrate. There are also several hostels to be found both in and around the city.
There is no need to worry about eating out in Trujillo as excellent local and international cuisine can be found in the stately streets of its historical center and in the outskirts. Transport around the city is either by bus or minibus, which cover specific routes.
You can also get around Trujillo by taxi which, unlike other cities in Peru, is exclusively provided by the familiar yellow vehicles. Be aware that there are no meters in the taxis, so fares must always be settled before boarding the vehicle. Official taxis can easily be identified on the windshield by their yellow postcard sized municipal stickers with the city’s coat of arms.
GETTING AROUND CHICLAYO
As Chiclayo is one of Peru’s larger cities, there are a good number of different hotels and levels of accommodation to choose from including large business hotels and converted colonial mansions. The large number of casonas in Chiclayo offer personalized services not found in the larger business hotels. There are also several hostels to be found both in and around the city.
Chiclayo has an excellent restaurant scene and boasts a distinctive local cuisine. As Chiclayo is located in the northern coastal region of Peru, restaurants serve up some of the best seafood in the country. In addition to classic restaurants, local delicacies can also be enjoyed at local “chicherías” literally corn beer bars where food is prepared over a wood fire in earthen pots. Chiclayo’s Central Market is one of the best in the north of Peru and the main part known as the Mercado Modelo is packed with food vendors. This is one of the best ways to try some local dishes and soak up the atmosphere of Chiclayo.
Calle Balta is the main street in Chiclayo but the markets and most of the hotels and restaurants are spread out over about five blocks from the main square, Plaza de Armas. Transport around the city is either by bus or minibus which cover specific routes and, the surrounding areas are also well served by public transport.
You can also get around Chiclayo by taxi or mototaxi. Be aware that there sometimes there are no meters in the taxis, so fares must always be settled before boarding the vehicle. You should always try and take only official taxis.
more highlights of Peru
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