The North

The north is synonymous with friendship, excellent hospitaly and sunshine. It's people are as warm as the sun that shines throughout the year. Not for nothing is Trujillo, Perú's third largest city, called the "Capital of Eternal Spring".

This city, 561 Km. from Lima, is full of old town houses, majestic convents and churches and the surrounding area contains important relics of important pre-Inca cultures such as the Mochica and Chimu.

The beaches of Trujillo are very popular. Delicias, Salaverry and Chicama are beatiful and sunny, but the best is undoubtedly Huanchaco, a picture-postcard resort where the local fishermen still use reed boats just as their ancestors did. Ther are known as "caballitos de totota" and area ridden astride, just like horses.

770 Km. north of Lima Chiclayo, the "City of Friendship" welcomes visitors. This city has a wealth of archaeological treasures as the surrounding area was the birthplace of the Lambayeque, Sican, Mochica and Chimu cultures which prospered in pre Columbian times.

33 km. from Chiclayo is the Valley of the Pyramids of Tucumé, covering 220 hectares and containing 26 adobe pyramids (or burial mounds), almost 40 m. high. The first were built around 700 A.D., at the start of the Lambayeque culture. The valley also contains the highest pyramid in South America. Huaca Larga, which is 700m. long, 280m. wide and 30 m. high. Ther is a good on-site museum, while the Bosque de Pómac Sanctuary and the Batán Grande Ruins, where the tomb of the Lord of Sican are also interesting destinations.

But the Huaca Rajada archaeological complex preservers the greatest treasures of Chiclayo: The tomb of the Lord of Sipan. The importance of the discovery of this Mochica governor is that he was found with all his attire. After the discovery the Royal Tombs Museum was built and is now considered among the most important museums in America.

The food of Chiclayo is among the finest in Peru. Try the traditional rice and duck, stewed kid goat, chinguirito or fish tortilla combined with a glass of chicha de jora and you will see why.

The beach at Pimentel is famous as a surfing spot and for good food, especially the delicious seafood lunch.

Further north, in the departament of Piura, the beaches at Mancora and Colan are two favorite places at which to pass a few days close to nature. Acrobatic surfers defy the waves while sunbathers lie relaxing on the sand. An ideal place for relaxation and contemplation.

Fine handicrafts from Catacaos, ceramics from Chulucanas famous for their artistic merit and filigree work will tempt you to take home a piece of northern culture.

Cajamarca (2,720 m.a.s.l.) is considered the capital of the Peruvian carnival. It is also the largest city in Peru's northern highlands and the place where Inca Atahualpa was captured and executed in 1532. Of course one of the essential places to visit is the Ransom Room to find out more details of how the last Inca monarch lost his life. A more enjoyable experience than that of the Inca can be had at the thermal springs known as "Baños del Inca", which also have curative properties.