The area is full of very interesting archeological sites from the ancient Moche and Chimú people. They are growing massively in world-wide attention and absolutely shouldn’t be missed on your visit! These pre-Columbian cultures preceded the famous Inca civilization by far and have left very impressive marks on the land. The sites are well developed lately and will make the north of Peru a lot more popular in the future. The museums at the sites are modern and interesting, guides often speak English, ChanChan is the largest pre-Columbian city in the Americas and the largest adobe city in the world, the Huaca del Sol pyramid is the largest single pre-Columbian structure in Peru and sites contain well preserved, colorful murals and other artifacts. At the El Brujo site there is even a tattoed mummy on display.
Most of the sites are reached easily by public transport and the entrance fees are extremely low. We can explain you easily how to reach them by bus from Huanchaco. From Trujillo many tour agencies could take you on cheap half-day- or day trips to make things easier if you like.
Zona arqueológica de Chan Chan
Official website: http://chanchan.gob.pe/
Chan Chan is the closest and biggest site around Huanchaco. Chan Chan is the largest pre-columbian city of South America, the largest adobe city in the world and covers approximately 20 km2! An estimated 60.000 people lived in this area.
Chan Chan is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. There are numerous areas to visit on foot, renovated parts and a museum. The area that it covers is astonishing.
Chan Chan is only 10 minutes by bus from Huanchaco!
The relatively small sites of Huaca Esmeralda and Huaca Arco Iris are closeby and both are included in your Chan Chan entrance ticket. They are smaller but well restored. They are located right in the middle of ordinary city suburbs, which makes for an interesting contrast. Go by taxi or ask us how to get there by bus.
Huacas del Sol y de la Luna
The second most popular site to visit are the Huacas del Sol y de la Luna. The Huaca del Sol is the largest single pre-columbian structure in Peru, made of 140 million adobe bricks! The two temples are more than 700 years older than Chan Chan and lay around 10 km away from Huanchaco. They are easily reached by public transport as well.
The site is famous for the massive pyramid, but also for the second temple. This temple, Huaca de la Luna, was used for ritual purposes (for example human sacrifices) and has well conserved and restored parts. The massive colorful murals are a big surprise for most of the visitors.
Most visitors return amazed by the unexpected quality of this site and its museum. Internet is loaded with reviews by tourists on the internet that praise the site.
Zona arqueológica El Brujo
The complex of El Brujo consists of 3 temples and has been improved massively in the last years. The site lies half an hour by car away from Huanchaco and makes for an off-the-beaten-track experience. The site is beautifully located at the seafront and is composed of 3 huge structures. The temple Huaca el Brujo is comparable in quality to the Huaca de la Luna, with beautifully restored reliefs and murals, a huge ramp, distinct layers (corresponding to different time periods) and a restored altar.
What makes the trip really worth the effort is the museum which contains the mummified remains of ‘Lady Cao’. The remains have been found with a huge amount of ornaments that are all on display in the added museum. The tattoes on her arm are still visible.
A really nice bonus as well is the charming, tiny fishing village that lays at the border of the complex. Tour agencies from Trujillo now all visit this site, alternatively a taxi can be hired to bring you there.
