Full day Chan Chan citadel

Chan Chan Mud Citadel

Chan Chan , which spans an area of 20 square km, is the largest mud-brick citadel dating back to the pre-Hispanic era. To build it, the Chimu architects used: clay, mud, pebbles, wood, reeds, straw and cane; materials which enable the citadel to blend in with the sandy coasts.

The complex is made up of many cities within a city, each of which has its own single entrance which leads down a corridor that opens up into other passageways lining walls and buildings featuring some marvelous rectangular architecture: inner patios, residences, administrative buildings, temples, platforms and storehouses. The walls were decorated with haut-relief friezes done in geometric and animal figures.

Itinerary:  

Huacas and Chan Chan full day with lunch
In the morning visit the Sun and the Moon amazing pyramids, the center of power in the Trujillo Valley during Moche ancient times. Get impressed in front of a stunning set of mud- brick friezes on the walls of the Temple of the Moon. Then visit a traditional family that descends from Mochica people.

Later visit the “Arco Iris Temple” or “Dragon ceremonial Temple”, from the Chimu culture. Drive to the seaside town of Huanchaco and watch the local fishermen on their traditional “Caballitos de Totora” or reed boats.

Lunch in Huanchaco and then you will visit the ancient mud-brick City of Chan Chan. This place was home to 100,000 habitants who stubbornly resisted the expansion of the Inca Empire. The archaeological remains of Chan Chan, 6 Km. (3.7 miles) northeast of Trujillo, are rather well preserved although built with mud bricks (“adobe”).

Chan Chan citadel is a “must” for all visitors; is considered to be the largest mud-brick city in the pre-Hispanic Latin America, its higher development were reached between the XII and XIV centuries, then it was conquered by the Incas and finally abandoned before the arrival of the Spaniards.

At the end of the day, return to hotel.

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