Highlights of Northern Peru: The Moche Route & Chicama Resort

This guest blog article was written by Liam Browne and Piotr Piecha, who travelled with Aracari along the Moche Route on Peru’s north coast in April 2013.

The Moche Route: More than Machu Picchu

The Moche Route: To drive north of Trujillo into the desert valleys once ruled for centuries by the Mochica people is to enter a world of lost treasure boxes only re-opened in our lifetime – and the tremendous joy was in exploring it with the people who had discovered it! When one thinks of ancient Mexican great civilisations, the Aztecs and the Maya immediately come to mind. However, when Peru is mentioned, generally one only thinks of the Inca  – perhaps in a decade or so, the Moche, who were contemporaneous with the Maya, will be just as widely known.

Being introduced to the wondrous excavations of Huacas del Moche and the unforgettable museum recently completed with the aid of the Ford Foundation was like exploring Machu Picchu with Hiram Bingham. It was here that Aracari hit another home run! (this was our second trip to Peru with Aracari). In the Temple of the Moon (Huaca de la Luna), they somehow managed to allow us to get our noses right up to the most magnificent multi-story frieze – “The Order of the World” by the Moche People of Northern Peru. This mystical moment alone made this long voyage worth it and unforgettable!

Archaelogical Highlights

At Huacas del Moche, El Brujo and Sipan, we were awed by the sophisticated murals, gold artefacts and ceremonial architecture. Also, looking across at so many pyramid mounds still covered with earth overgrown by vegetation, it seems there is much still to be unearthed.

For intrepid travellers who have visited more than 100 countries, this trip is globally memorable for us – a rare opportunity to see a great civilisation’s legacy in an unexpected setting introduced by the very people unearthing the mysteries. It doesn’t get more memorable than this! Thank you Aracari!

Chicama Surf Reort

The surfers’ paradise of Chicama Surf Resort offered the ideal location for a complete recharge. Whilst the perfect waves attract the hard core of the global surfing circuit year round, the beauty of the dunes are compelling for non-surfers such as ourselves.

The fine sands and tremendous landscape abruptly ending at the water’s edge are ideal for long walks and disconnecting from the constant emails, conference calls and check lists of modern living. A tremendous place to fill the lungs and refresh the mind as well. More on surfing in Chicama.

Highlights of Northern Peru Itinerary Inspiration

View Highlights of Norther Peru itinerary here.
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