Around Trujillo

 

Huanchaco

13 Km ( 8 miles) northwest of Trujillo (15 minutes by car). Its name comes from the Mochica voice "Huacocha" that means "beautiful lagoon of the golden fishes". According to the legend, 800 years ago Prince Tacaynamo and his court disembarked in Huanchaco and founded the first Chimu dynasty. The traditional rafts called the "caballitos de totora" (little horses of totora reeds), used by the fishermen in the north coast of Peru since pre-Columbian times, still navigate these water. It is one of the most popular beaches along the coast of Peru for surfers. During the Colonial age it was the main port of Trujillo. In the high part an old and beautiful church is located, in which the image of the "Virgen del Socorro" is venerated, disembarked in January 1537 by order of the King Carlos V from Spain. It is also conserved since 1707, in an urn, the intact body of Deán Saavedra, considered a miraculous saint. It has great activity during the summer months (December to April). Good waves for the surf lovers, and comfortable inns and seafood restaurants.

 

It is the best place to appreciate the famous "caballitos de totora" that at the moment some fishermen use to maintain the old tradition of the Mochicas fishermen from the III century.

 

 

Moche

Town located at 27 kms. (16.7 miles) south of Trujillo where their modest residents are descendants of the old Mochicas and Chimús. Their activities are centered in agriculture. The name of this area is due to the diversity of archaeological remains in this area and its importance. (See "Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna") .

 

The Moche Countryside is inhabited by one of the most traditional communities of northern Peru; its people maintain some of the ancient craft tradition and possess a rich gastronomic heritage. The complex is the perfect place to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience and share it with the modern-day Moche. For this you can visit the craft workshops, which are found on the edge of the road leading to the Pyramids, and you can experience how crafts with a strong local identity are made. Some of these products are available for purchase in the Visitors Center of the Pyramid of the Moon. A half-day visit to the Moche countryside lets you relive the grandeur of the Moche in the Pyramid of the Moon and the Moche Pyramids Museum, learn about the work of the artisans, and enjoy the delicious culinary tradition of the Moche people. In adition, Moche gastronomy is renowned for its excellence and special flavor. The cuisine is especially known for its traditional stews, whose recipes have been passed from generation to generation and can be enjoyed in rustic inns or modern restaurants after visiting the Pyramids and the on – site museum.

 

Museo Huacas del Moche

A visit to the museum complements the tour of the Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna with its depiction of aspects of the life, city, and environment of the Moche. It also illustrates the worship of power and of the Mountain God (Aia PAEC), featuring the Moche iconography as the architecture of the site does. It features unique pottery of great beauty, originality and symbolism. Among the artifacts are the Pato Guerrero (Warrior Duck), the Sacerdote Ciego (Blind Priest) with a scarred face depicted in a shamanic trance, and the Feline Mantle (Manto Felino), a small garment covered in gold leaf on a base of cotton and leather that is decorated with feathers. This was used in rituals such as the Coca Ceremony. The museum has been designed to be visited without the necessity for a guide.

 

Virú

Town located at 46 km. (28.5 miles) south of Trujillo, in a fluvial oasis that breaks the desertic landscape of enormous dunes. In this valley you can find diverse archaeological pre-Inca locations. In fron to Virú are located the Guañape Islands, access is limited to boats from Puerto Morin, south of the city of Trujillo (30 minutes by car), but another alternative is to get there from the city of Viru (45 minutes by car). The two islands, North Guañape and South Guañape rise 165 meters / 541 feet above the waters and host approximately 1200 South American sea lions and guanay cormorants. Some meters below the surface, hundreds of pre-Hispanic objects were found as well as bodies of decapitated maidens whose ribs and chests were covered by a thin sheet of gold.

 

Salaverry

Marine port, located south to Trujillo city, dedicated to the commercial transport and fishing activities.

 

Chicama

Town located at 37 kms. (23 miles) north of Trujillo. It is located in the valley of the same name, in which exist numerous archaeological Mochica and Chimu locations.

 

Paiján

Town located at 65 kms. (40.4 miles) north of Trujillo, famed because of their Peruvian Paso Horses.

 

Malabrigo or Puerto Chicama

74 Km ( 46 miles) northwest of Trujillo (1 hour and 30 minutes by car). Located on a wide and very windy beach, Chicama is known among the surfers because it has the longest left handed wave in the world. Fishermen's creek. It was of great importance in the Colonial age, and today one of the favorite places for the surf lovers, it has the highest waves in the world; here they have been carried out several international surf championships. Restaurants and hostels.

 

Beaches and spas

Huanchaco, Buenos Aires and Las Delicias.

 

 

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