Departures: Fixed Departures every Tuesday, guaranteed with two participants

Season: All Year

A program that takes the visitor on a journey of discovery along the north coast of Peru, between the cities of Trujillo and Chiclayo, lands once dominated by the empire of the Moche. The Moches lived along the north coast of Peru from the 2nd to the 6th centuries, A.D. The Moche was powerful and warlike, eventually dominating nearly the entire northern coast. But they were principally known for their artistic expression and technological development, including metalwork for the production of extraordinarily beautiful jewelry, and masterful design and production of both ceremonial and decorative pottery. If the Moche were the best known of the region's pre-Incan cultures, other cultures also inhabited the area at different times. Among these were the Chimu and the Lambayeque, who took over the southern and northern margins of the Moche areas respectively, after the Moche disappeared during the 6th century A.D.

Day 1 - Lima to Trujillo

Arrival in Trujillo and transfer to your hotel. The Huaca de la Luna and the Moche countryside. One of the most interesting characteristics of the Moche culture was their artists, who obtained the highest level of mastery in the creation of pottery and decorative iconography of their monuments. The first stop is the 'Moche Hands' crafts factory, where leather crafts featuring Moche iconography are made using the 'pirograbado' or 'fire-branding' technique. The craftsmen here produce various types of purses, bags and wallets, in addition to incredible basketry and wood carvings. The route continues on foot for a walk of about 10 minutes to experience a small section of the Moche countryside. This short walk allows visitors to appreciate the traditional Moche lifestyle, including its family-based culture and kitchen gardens, and in addition observe a few representative plant species like mango, lúcuma, guava and papaya trees, and local versions of red pepper, cabbage and squash among others.

The walk finishes in the 'Inconceivable Face' workshop, where it's possible to participate in the production of modern Moche ceramics. These craftsmen have rescued the age-old techniques of their renowned Moche ancestors in the manufacture of ceramics using fine mud molds. During the visit the native music group The Caymans will present a sample of Moche music using traditional instruments like the pututo, and a type of ceramic trumpet.

The final stop and principal attraction of the Moche countryside route is the 'Huacas del Sol y de la Luna' (Temples of the Sun and Moon) archaeological complex. The Temple of the Moon is an exquisitely decorated temple that represents the spiritual center of the Moche culture. The monument consists of a series of temples built one on top of the other for many years. Within the site archaeologists have found, among a wealth of ceremonial objects, about 40 skeletons of sacrificed soldiers. In the upper reaches of the adobe ramparts one can view the remains of enormous walls decorated with figures of multi-colored divinities, the most important of which being the Moche God Ai-Aipek.

Lunch at a fine restaurant in Moche, with a presentation of traditional Marinera dancing and the world famous Peruvian Paso Horses. Afternoon visit to Chan Chan. Named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Chan Chan was the capital of the Chimu Empire, which inhabited this region after the fall of the Moche. It is the first and by far the largest non-pyramidal adobe construction site in northern Peru. In fact, at over 500 acres, it is the largest known adobe complex in the world, and is divided into 9 separate smaller cities. Dinner.

Day 2 - Trujillo

Huaca Arco Iris. Another part of the Chan Chan complex, is 'The Temple of the Dragon' or 'Huaca Dragón'. It is also called 'Huaca del Arco Iris' (rainbow), located about 2.5 miles north of Trujillo, in the La Esperanza suburb, west of the Pan-American Highway. It is in much better condition than Huaca Esmeralda, having been excavated only in the 1960s, and its well-conserved rainbow-shaped friezes are fascinating. Some have interpreted the central motif to be that of a dragon. Outer walls have reliefs of snakes and peculiar lizards. The fairly large structure has several ramps, and visitors can climb to platforms at the top of the temple. City tour. A city tour focused in the colonial architecture of the city center: the tour begins at the main square or Plaza de Armas with a view of the most beautiful facades of the colonial houses of the city, including a visit to the Urquiaga House, then we will have a cocktail in the La Emancipación House. The tour finishes with a visit to La Merced Church. Drive to Huanchaco for lunch. A once tiny fishing village, occupied since pre-Incan times by fishing communities who developed the art of building and fishing from small oceangoing canoes built from local reeds. The peculiar method used to maneuver these water craft gave rise to their nickname, the 'Little Reed Horses', as the local fisherman rode their craft like horses to avoid being swamped by the strong waves in the area. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 3 - Trujillo and Chiclayo

Early departure to Chiclayo. On the road visit to the archaeological complex of El Brujo. The archaeological site is located north of Trujillo, near Chocope, in the Ascope province. At the El Brujo archaeological site there are three huacas: Huaca Cao Viejo, Huaca El Brujo, and Huaca Prieta. These structures were built by the Moche people, who lived there between the years A.D. 100 and 700. The Huaca Cao Viejo was most likely used for religious rituals. Within this temple, archaeologists have found the ruins of an important ceremonial precinct. Its two walls decorated with small high-relief iconographic designs. The narrative scenes that decorate both walls each contain approximately 50 iconographic figures showing scenes of fishing and navigation, human figures related to the cosmic world, mythical animals, shamans, warriors, and human sacrifice. At Huaca El Brujo the archaeologists found the famous mummy of the Lady of Cao, the only Moche shaman woman known to these days. Lunch of local specialties in a tourist class restaurant in Pacasmayo. Arrival in Sipán for a visit the Huaca Rajada, or Cracked Temple, archaeological site.

At Huaca Rajada we'll find the mausoleum of the Lord of Sipan; one of the most powerful Moche kings of his time, with absolute power of life and death over all his subjects. Upon his death he was buried, together with his host of attendants and much of his riches, in a remarkable burial complex. The complex has multiple differentiated areas, among them religious monuments, patios, cemeteries, living areas, military fortifications, etc. Dinner.

Chiclayo

Royal Tombs of the Lord of Sipan Museum. In the museum, one of the most modern and acclaimed in all South America, one can appreciate the magnificence of the archaeological find at the Sipán site: ceramics, textiles, jewelry in gold and silver, and an enormous quantity of ceremonial utensils.

Lunch in a tourist class restaurant in Chiclayo. Afternoon visit to the Valley of the Pyramids and the on-site museum. Túcume was the last capital of the Lambayeque kingdom.

The Túcume pyramids are among the principal monuments of the region. Their 26 enormous structures are made entirely of adobe, and were designed for diverse ritualistic, commercial, residential and other functions. The construction of these pyramids was begun in the 10th century. Huaca Larga is the largest structure, with an impressive 2300 feet in length, 920 feet in width and 100 feet in height. It's the single largest adobe structure in South America. Recent discoveries at the site include painted murals in its interior squares, surrounded by walkways and roofed in galleries. Late in the afternoon transfer by plane back to Lima.

Rates for 2010 - upon request

SERVICES INCLUDED: Hotels with breakfast and tours where mentioned, entrance fees to museums and archaeological sites, transportation, transfers, and lunches during full-day tours as well as official guides in the main sites.

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED: Hotel in Lima on Day 5, meals in the main cities, alcoholic beverages, extras, tips, taxes laundry services, and additional tours, insurance and airline tickets

For further information and booking inquiries please contact Sacred Earth.