Travel north and another side of Peru’s ancient history begins to unfold. Long before the Incas, powerful cultures flourished along the desert coast, leaving behind immense adobe cities, richly decorated temples and some of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries in the Americas.
Around Trujillo, walk through the ancient city of Chan Chan, once the capital of the Chimú civilisation, or discover the remarkably preserved murals of the Temples of the Sun and Moon. Nearby, the colourful colonial centre of Trujillo and the coastal village of Huanchaco offer a change of pace, with traditional reed boats still used by local fishermen today.
Further north, Chiclayo is the gateway to the spectacular archaeological treasures of the Moche and Lambayeque cultures. The discovery of the Royal Tombs of Sipán revealed an astonishing collection of gold, jewellery and ceremonial objects, while excavations throughout the region continue to uncover new pieces of Peru’s past.
Add excellent museums, a celebrated regional cuisine and a coastline with some of Peru’s finest surfing, and the north becomes a fascinating alternative for travellers who want to venture beyond the classic route.
Here, history does not feel finished. With archaeologists still at work and discoveries continuing to emerge, northern Peru offers the rare sensation that there is still much more waiting to be found.
