Exploring the Sipan and Moche cultures

Trip Start Jul 14, 2009
1
21
27
Trip End Feb 18, 2010


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow

Flag of Peru  ,
Friday, November 6, 2009

Our next stop was the Peruvian beach resort of Huanchaco, a relatively affluent town in the middle of a barren and impoverished landscape. The fishermen here ride out across the rolling breakers on flimsy reed rafts to spend the day in the sun making their living. Huanchaco is surrounded by splendid reminders of the Sipan and Moche cultures, and while we were here, we visited:

- Reputedly one of the 'best museums in the world' (overstating the case, but still pretty impressive), the Museo de las Tumbas Reales de Sipan, which is a reconstruction of the pyramid tombs of Lord Sipan, basically the big guy of Sipan culture. The remains - gold, silver, jewellary, religious objects are phenomenal in themselves and have been spectacularly restored. The bling here is quite incredible. An overwhelming experience.
- The Huacas del Sol e de la Luna - two ancient pyramid sites from the Sipan culture. A perfect compliment to the musuem, as the Spanish colonisers had raided all artefacts from the monuments, yet the buildings speak for themselves. Incredible architecture, and beautiful painted friezes.
- Chan Chan - an ancient Moche city. Less beautiful than the Huacas, but impressive for its demonstration of the scale and relative sophistication of the Moche culture.
Print this entry Huanchaco hotels