Explore the lesser known northern sites of Peru

Australians who want to get off the beaten track in Peru can book a trip along the Moche Route in northern Peru, where a range of archaeological sites, local traditions, sports, cuisine, beaches and history can be discovered.

Northern Peru is home to fascinating pre-Incan sites of the Moche culture who ruled much of this area from 100- 800 AD.  This ancient culture is most present in the museums and archaeological sites of the northern region and in exciting discoveries which are still being made. Sites along the route include El Brujo in the lower Chicama Valley, Chan Chan by the banks of the Moche River in the La Libertad region, and Huaca of the Sun and of the Moon located just 15 minutes south of Trujillo.

The El Brujo site dates back to the first and seventh centuries AD and was the final resting place of Señora de Cao, who lived around the year 450 A.D, while Chan Chan spans an area of 20km² and is the largest mud-brick citadel dating back to the pre-Hispanic era.  Huaca del Sol y Huaca de La Luna are distanced 500 metres apart from one another and are two of the most impressive Peruvian pyramids, built for ceremonial purposes by the Moche around 500 AD.

The Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum in Lambayeque also offers a fascinating insight into the history of the Moche people. According to studies, the Lord of Sipan died 1,770 years ago and it is estimated he lived for approximately forty years and was buried in an elaborate ceremony. The museum is a 10 minute drive from the city of Chiclayo, the capital city of the Lambayeque region, and houses some of the best exhibition rooms in the world. 

Less than one hour north of Lima by air, Trujillo, the colonial city of the north, provides the gateway to the Moche Route.  Trujillo is the capital of the La Libertad and sits on the banks of the Moche River. It is a vibrant city with plenty to offer visitors to the region. Learn to dance the Marinera, the ‘National Dance of Peru’ at the annual Marinera Festival in January which celebrates this graceful, romantic dance between two people representing a combination of the different cultures of Peru. 

For the outdoor enthusiast the north offers a year-round warm climate and beautiful coastline where a popular surfing culture thrives.  Here many Moche cultural practices are still very much alive today. ‘Caballitos de Totora’, reed watercrafts used by the Moche people for fishing, are now used to surf the waves.

Among other activities available, why not try riding a paso fino horse or visit the many local farms in the area that breed these beautiful animals. Then after a busy day, the region’s delicious cuisine will satisfy any appetite. The popular and tasty ‘ceviche’ which combines fresh fish and seafood mixed with onions, lemon juice, salt, and a touch of chilli pepper offers the perfect taste of Peru.

With the Peruvian government investing in the infrastructure of the northern region and many operators in Australia now featuring the north of Peru, it has never been so easy to explore the Moche Route and the rich Peruvian culture surrounding it.

For more information on Peru, please visit www.peru.travel