Frieze at the Temple of the Moon, near Trujillo

Northern Peru's pre-Inca cultures are fascinating

The Temple of the Moon is one of the great monuments of pre-Inca Moche culture. The face on this polychrome frieze represents the Moche god Aipaec.

Photo by David Rock / iStock Photo

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Sipan and Chan Chan Extension

Ancient Wonders of Northern Peru

Trip Details at-a-Glance

Cost From: $795
Length: 4 days
Arrive: Lima, Peru
Depart: Lima, Peru
Activity: Archaeology, Cultural Adventures
Trip Level: 1 explain

Our Trips using this Extension


Choquequirao to Machu Picchu
Empires of the Sun
Hiker's Journey to Machu Picchu
Inca Trail Private Journey
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Lost City of the Incas
Machu Picchu Lodge to Lodge
Peru Explorer
Peru Private Journey
Trekking Peru's Sacred Mountain

Day 1
Lima / Chiclayo

Fly via Lima to Chiclayo in northern Peru.

Day 2
Sipán / Tucume / Lambayeque Museum Trujillo

Explore the colossal pre-Columbian site of Tucume, center of the Lambayeque culture, with its 26 earthen pyramids. Later, visit the National Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipan, home to rare and beautiful Moche gold masterworks as well as artifacts from Chimu, Chavin, Lambayeque, and Vicus cultures. Or explore the Royal Tomb of Sipán, the mud-brick burial platform of the Moche ruler Huaca Rajada, where the extraordinary golden treasures of the Moche people were discovered in 1987. Continue to colonial Trujillo for overnight.

Day 3
Chan Chan

Visit Chan Chan, capital of the Chimu Empire (heirs to the Moche). Sprawling over ten square miles, it is the largest pre-Columbian city in the Americas and the largest mud city in the world. Explore important Moche sites in the Moche and Chicama valleys, including the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, among the largest labor projects ever undertaken in the New World. Overnight in Trujillo.

Day 4
Lima / Depart

Fly to Lima and depart.

Extension Costs

Prices are for 2012

$795 per person double occupancy
Solo traveler: $1195
Internal airfare: $550 (subject to change)

Gran Hotel Chiclayo

Gran Hotel Chiclayo

Day 1 (1 night), Chiclayo, Peru

Chiclayo’s largest and most comfortable hotel (although one without much personality), the Gran Hotel is a business-style hotel. Amenities ...
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Libertador Trujillo

Libertador Trujillo

Days 2 to 3 (2 nights), Trujullo, Peru

Located right on the historic main plaza of Trujillo, this hotel earns its four stars with comfortable rooms, a good restaurant, a sauna, and a ...
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Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.