Trujillo-Huanchaco

Things to do in Trujillo, Peru

Trujillo is one of Peru’s most interesting cities. There are a huge number of things to do in Trujillo, Peru for travelers. The city is a beautiful destination, what with a nickname like “The City of Eternal Spring”. The city is the 3 r d largest in Peru, and was among the first cities established by the Spanish conquistadors in the Americas.

The region was settled in by many an ancient culture, and is of immense historical significance. It was the headquarters of the ancient Chimu culture. The city is stronghold of culture, art, music and dance. Trujillo is in fact best known as the capital of the Marinera dance. It is also famous for the art of Peruvian El Paso horse breeding.

Trujillo-Huanchaco

Let us look at the top five things to do in Trujillo, Peru :

1) Chan Chan . . .

Chan Chan was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Chimu. The city is entirely built out of adobe, a natural building material that is a mixture of sand, clay, water and organic or fibrous material like straw, sticks etc which are shaped into bricks and dried in the sun. Adobe buildings are extremely durable.

Chan Chan

In fact, some of the oldest buildings in existence are built of adobe. So Chan Chan is the largest city built of adobe in the world. The Chimus were conquered by the Incas in 1470 A D. The city has huge walls dividing the city into a number of palaces. The city has been declared as a world heritage site by the UNESCO.

Chan Chan

2) The Witch’s Complex ( El Complejo del Brujo ) . . .

El Brujo is a complex that was a site of the Moche culture (100 – 800 A D). This was a major religious center from the 1st to the 7th century. There are three main temples located at the Huaca El Brujo, Huaco Cao Viejo and the Huaca Prieta. The ceremonial temple here is home to a tattooed mummy of a young woman that is more than 1500 years old and was discovered recently. There is evidence of human sacrifice here.

El Brujo

3) City Tour . . .

Trujillo’s historic district is home to numerous colonial mansions and other structures. There is the Spanish Cathedral, a marvel of architecture. The cathedral houses a collection of art from the Quito School. Also stop at the Monastery of El Carmen and the Art Museum. An extension for a trip to Huanchaco Beach is part of some city tours. The beach hosts surfing championships every year in Mar. Taking a city tour is one of the most fun things to do in Trujillo, Peru.

Trujillo-Peru

4) Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon . . .

The Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon were the two ceremonial locations of the Moche People, where human sacrifices were made to the god. There are six levels to the Temple of the Sun. This is the highest pyramid in the Peru, and also the tallest adobe structure in South America. The Temple of the moon has nine levels. The monument is actually comprised of overlapping temples from a number of periods.

Huaca del Sol

5) A Paso Farm . . .

The Trujillo and Ica are said to be home to the best breeders of the Step Horses or the Caballos de Paso. This is a cross between a Spanish horse and an Arab horse, and grew up in the desert area of Peru since more than three centuries. The Peruvian Caballo de Paso is certainly the most stunning of its kind.