Note: The Following Tour Is Suspended Until Further Notice
GODS AND PYRAMIDS
The Temples of Doom of Ancient Peru
Narrated by anthropologist Manuel Arboleda G.
A 4 nights / 5 days Archeaological Expedition of the Desert Kingdoms of Peru
Tour offered as an extension to our "Strategies of Survival" Amazon Safari
Tour offered as an extension to our "Strategies of Survival" Amazon Safari
INTRODUCTION
Explore the archaeological wonders of the Desert Kingdoms of Peru with anthropologist Manuel Arboleda G., as your narrator and study leader. Climb to the top of the El Brujo pyramid and other notorious “Temples of Doom“ that dot the arid landscape of northern Peru; visit Huanchaco and see the legendary “Caballitos” or totora-reed boats that have not changed much since they were launched some 2,000 years ago; sense the awe of the Moche tomb of the Lord of Sipan with its dashing collection of gilded artefacts now housed in a stylized pyramidal museum; tread the narrow walkways of the imperial city Chan Chan, the capital of the Chimu Kingdom and one of the largest adobe cities in the world; experience the superb art and the monumental architecture of other pre-Inka Desert Kingdoms that thrived along the north coast for over two thousands years; savour the internationally- acclaimed Peruvian cuisine, particularly the highly acclaimed ceviche. Believe me, this is a tour you don’t want to miss!
ITINERARY
DAY 01, CHICLAYO (B)
Flight requested: LA LIM- CIX 1600 – 1730 hrs.
Upon our arrival into Lima's airport from Iquitos, we will proceed to the transfer lounge to connect to our afternoon flight to Chiclayo, our tour guide will be there to greet us and take us to our centrally-located hotel. Evening at leisure.
Hotel Wyndham/ Costa del Sol.
Flight requested: LA LIM- CIX 1600 – 1730 hrs.
Upon our arrival into Lima's airport from Iquitos, we will proceed to the transfer lounge to connect to our afternoon flight to Chiclayo, our tour guide will be there to greet us and take us to our centrally-located hotel. Evening at leisure.
Hotel Wyndham/ Costa del Sol.
DAY 02, CHICLAYO (B, L)
Get set to explore the remnants of Moche Kingdoms by first visiting the pyramid of Huaca Rajada where the Lord of Sipan and his entourage were entombed. Descend the ramp to the exact spot where his opulent tomb - with all of his sacrificial victims - laid undisturbed until the Peruvian archaeologist, Walter Alva, discovered it in 1987. Then head off to see the gilded offerings found in his tomb now exhibited in the pyramidal-shaped museum. Retrace the steps of the doomed prisoners by walking up the ramp to face execution by decapitation! Once inside, feast your eyes on his gold mask embossed with precious stones and/or experience the terror the prisoners must have felt when faced with the ubiquitous fanged Decapitator God, the most fearsome god of the Moche pantheon! Then off for a “welcome sea-food” lunch at El Pacifico Restaurant and then west to the sea-side resort of Pimentel to see the homes and condos built for upper class Peruvians in sharp contrast to the impoverished fishermen and their large fleet of boats that are “docked” in the sandy beach of Santa Rosa (there is no pier!), a testament to the nutrient-rich waters of the Humboldt Current. We then return to the hotel late in the afternoon.
Hotel Wyndham / Costa del Sol.
Get set to explore the remnants of Moche Kingdoms by first visiting the pyramid of Huaca Rajada where the Lord of Sipan and his entourage were entombed. Descend the ramp to the exact spot where his opulent tomb - with all of his sacrificial victims - laid undisturbed until the Peruvian archaeologist, Walter Alva, discovered it in 1987. Then head off to see the gilded offerings found in his tomb now exhibited in the pyramidal-shaped museum. Retrace the steps of the doomed prisoners by walking up the ramp to face execution by decapitation! Once inside, feast your eyes on his gold mask embossed with precious stones and/or experience the terror the prisoners must have felt when faced with the ubiquitous fanged Decapitator God, the most fearsome god of the Moche pantheon! Then off for a “welcome sea-food” lunch at El Pacifico Restaurant and then west to the sea-side resort of Pimentel to see the homes and condos built for upper class Peruvians in sharp contrast to the impoverished fishermen and their large fleet of boats that are “docked” in the sandy beach of Santa Rosa (there is no pier!), a testament to the nutrient-rich waters of the Humboldt Current. We then return to the hotel late in the afternoon.
Hotel Wyndham / Costa del Sol.
DAY 03, HUANCHACO (B, L)
Take a three-hour drive to Huanchaco, a beach town near Trujillo and Peru’s third largest city. Drive to some of the most arid landscape anywhere, a subject often depicted in Moche ceramic art. Visit the town of Pacasmayo and its nice promenade built as a railroad stop by the sugar barons in the late 19th century. Then off to visit El Brujo, another “temple of doom,” and glance at the low-relief murals depicting naked and noosed prisoners lining the interior ramp of the pyramid to face execution. Ascend to the summit to view the exact location where a royal tomb pertaining to a Moche queen, the Lady of Cao, was discovered containing her royal crown, filigree jewels and other items of her royal regalia. The finding confirms the high status enjoyed by female members of the royal elite. We end our tour in Huanchaco arriving there in time for a late lunch at the sea-side Big Ben restaurant. Then take a leisure walk to the hotel passing by the celebrated “caballitos,” or the totora-reed boats. You will be surprised how little these sea crafts have changed since they were launched some 2,000 years ago!
Hotel Huankarute, (Huanchaco).
Take a three-hour drive to Huanchaco, a beach town near Trujillo and Peru’s third largest city. Drive to some of the most arid landscape anywhere, a subject often depicted in Moche ceramic art. Visit the town of Pacasmayo and its nice promenade built as a railroad stop by the sugar barons in the late 19th century. Then off to visit El Brujo, another “temple of doom,” and glance at the low-relief murals depicting naked and noosed prisoners lining the interior ramp of the pyramid to face execution. Ascend to the summit to view the exact location where a royal tomb pertaining to a Moche queen, the Lady of Cao, was discovered containing her royal crown, filigree jewels and other items of her royal regalia. The finding confirms the high status enjoyed by female members of the royal elite. We end our tour in Huanchaco arriving there in time for a late lunch at the sea-side Big Ben restaurant. Then take a leisure walk to the hotel passing by the celebrated “caballitos,” or the totora-reed boats. You will be surprised how little these sea crafts have changed since they were launched some 2,000 years ago!
Hotel Huankarute, (Huanchaco).
DAY 04, CHICLAYO (B)
Spend the morning visiting the treasures of the Pyramid of the Moon. Made of adobe and painted with brilliant colours, the ramped pyramid also contains scenes of sacrificial rituals, most in low-relief, depicting the ubiquitous “Decapitator God.” This and other supernatural figures dot the sacrificial chambers and ramps leading to the elevated platforms. Indeed, the centrepiece of the Pyramd is a mural depicting nude prisoners marching up the platform to face a gory death by decapitation. And yes, we will also visit the local museum to see one of the most riveting artefact: a wooden war club containing traces of human blood! Then off to lunch (on your own) and afterwards, to visit the imperial Chimu city of Chan Chan. Made of a dozen or so walled enclosures or “canchas,” these adobe-made enclosures were lavishly decorated with curvilinear and anthropomorphic figures. Each one was designed as a royal, self-contained, palace for each reigning monarch. We will visit one of them, the Tsuchudi cancha, profusely decorated with bass-releif stylized fish and birds. In addition to adobe art, the Chimu artisans also excelled in the art of producing gold and silver artefacts!
Hotel Huankarute, (Huanchaco).
Spend the morning visiting the treasures of the Pyramid of the Moon. Made of adobe and painted with brilliant colours, the ramped pyramid also contains scenes of sacrificial rituals, most in low-relief, depicting the ubiquitous “Decapitator God.” This and other supernatural figures dot the sacrificial chambers and ramps leading to the elevated platforms. Indeed, the centrepiece of the Pyramd is a mural depicting nude prisoners marching up the platform to face a gory death by decapitation. And yes, we will also visit the local museum to see one of the most riveting artefact: a wooden war club containing traces of human blood! Then off to lunch (on your own) and afterwards, to visit the imperial Chimu city of Chan Chan. Made of a dozen or so walled enclosures or “canchas,” these adobe-made enclosures were lavishly decorated with curvilinear and anthropomorphic figures. Each one was designed as a royal, self-contained, palace for each reigning monarch. We will visit one of them, the Tsuchudi cancha, profusely decorated with bass-releif stylized fish and birds. In addition to adobe art, the Chimu artisans also excelled in the art of producing gold and silver artefacts!
Hotel Huankarute, (Huanchaco).
DAY 05, LIMA / DEPARTURES (B)
Flight Requested: LA TRU-LIM hrs. 1006 - 1115 hrs.
This morning, we will be transferred to the airport but not before saying good-bye to our fellow travellers. We trust that you have enjoyed all of your experiences that, for sure will resonate for years to come!
End of service.
Flight Requested: LA TRU-LIM hrs. 1006 - 1115 hrs.
This morning, we will be transferred to the airport but not before saying good-bye to our fellow travellers. We trust that you have enjoyed all of your experiences that, for sure will resonate for years to come!
End of service.
Important: nearly all of the sites covered on this tour require moderate walking. Climbing the uneven steps of El Brujo Pyramid; walking on the pot-holed streets of Huanchaco; ascending the uneven ramps of the Rajada Pyramid etc., may pose a challenge to some participants. To remedy the situation, we will structure staging areas where the tour members can wait and not participate in a given walk or hike.
TOUR INFORMATION
THE PRICE
The land prices are per-person in USD, and are based on two people sharing a room
06-12 paxs: $ USD
Single supplement: TBA $ USD
THE PRICE
The land prices are per-person in USD, and are based on two people sharing a room
06-12 paxs: $ USD
Single supplement: TBA $ USD
PRICE INCLUDES
…all of the land services which begin in Lima airport and end in Trujillo. The tour is also guaranteed to operate with a minimum of six paxs and includes all entrance fees; sightseeing services; transfers and, unlike other tour companies, it includes tips for luggage porters at the hotels. The tour also includes a Nawpaq Expeditions educational kit designed to enhance your educational experiences as well as daily breakfasts, a welcome lunch and other meals as specified in the itinerary.
THE PRICE EXCLUDES
…the “open Jaw” domestic flights of approximately $ USD. The tour price also excludes tips to local guides, drivers, assistants and such personal incidentals as room service, laundry, telephone calls, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, pre-tour inoculations etc.
HOTEL INFORMATION
The new Lima Libre Hotel is classified as a four-star; the Wyndham Costa Del Sol in Chiclayo as a "high" three star property and the Huankarute Hotel in Huanchaco as a three star property (Note: Huankarute Hotel has NO LIFT). For detailed information on these hotels, please check their web-sites. We are confident that you will be pleased with the chosen hotels.
…all of the land services which begin in Lima airport and end in Trujillo. The tour is also guaranteed to operate with a minimum of six paxs and includes all entrance fees; sightseeing services; transfers and, unlike other tour companies, it includes tips for luggage porters at the hotels. The tour also includes a Nawpaq Expeditions educational kit designed to enhance your educational experiences as well as daily breakfasts, a welcome lunch and other meals as specified in the itinerary.
THE PRICE EXCLUDES
…the “open Jaw” domestic flights of approximately $ USD. The tour price also excludes tips to local guides, drivers, assistants and such personal incidentals as room service, laundry, telephone calls, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, pre-tour inoculations etc.
HOTEL INFORMATION
The new Lima Libre Hotel is classified as a four-star; the Wyndham Costa Del Sol in Chiclayo as a "high" three star property and the Huankarute Hotel in Huanchaco as a three star property (Note: Huankarute Hotel has NO LIFT). For detailed information on these hotels, please check their web-sites. We are confident that you will be pleased with the chosen hotels.
Credit: Music by Dan Gibson (The Spirit of Machu Picchu)