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Chan Chan – One of the largest clay archaeological ruins in
the world, the stylized intricate patterns in the buildings reflects a passion
for the ocean. Kids like the accessibility of the ruins, where they can
climb and scout. |
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Two of the big pyramids have been excavated, and you can get close. At the Huaca de la Luna pyramid, check out the gorgeous bright colored friezes with fanged gods and other mythological creatures of the Chimu culture. |
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Trujillo – Peruvians call this city
"la Ciudad de la Primavera": the city of spring time. About 570
km (275 miles) north of Lima on the Panamerican Highway, the area was once
home to the Chimu and Moche peoples. The modern city was founded in 1535
by Diego de Almagro and its traditions reflect a rich history. |
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 Beaches – The beaches here are great for boating. Along the way, you'll see
fishing villages where the locals still use the fishing tools and methods
of the ancient peoples. (Great places for a very fresh seafood lunch abound.) |
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Horses – Trujillo has excellent breeding farms where you can see the famous
Paso Fino horses, and the city is host to exhibitions and championships
as well. Horseback riding is a great way to see the area, and since Peruvian
horses are world-famous for their smooth gaits, everyone (novice, expert,
young or old) will really enjoy the ride. |
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La
Marinera – The best-known of Peruvian traditional dances, it's
a mixture of Indian, European, and African influences. Trujillo is famous
for its Festival de la Marinera. While the Festival happens only once at
the beginning of the year, you can find performances of this lovely dance
done in local costume year-round. You'll see children as young as five performing
with style and attitude. You may find yourself buying a costume for a star-struck
daughter. |
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Ride in a reed boat (Huan Chaco) – About 8 miles north of Trujillo, is the beach town of Huan Chaco. Take a ride in a traditional reed boat, made of totora reeds. Kids should wear a bathing suit, or clothes that can get wet. |
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Cajamarca – North and inland about 300
km (200 miles) from Trujillo, most tourists fly to Cajamarca, which sits
where the Andes and the Amazon meet. With 3,000 years of human presence,
the town has one of the oldest histories in the world. 550 years ago the
Inca Pachacutec's brother, Capac Yupanqui, conquered the local Caxamarca
peoples. Less than a hundred years later, Pizarro took then Inca Atahualpa
prisoner in Cajamarca, ending one of the great civilizations on earth. |
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El
Carat del React – This is the only vestige of Inca architecture
left intact in the city. Imagine this room filled with gold – it once
was. From floor to ceiling, the Inca people piled gold (they filled two
nearby rooms with silver) in a vain attempt to ransom their emperor. |
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Plaza
de Airman – This is where the last Inca, Atahualpa, was gruesomely
executed. Visit the Cathedral where you'll pass through the baroque portal
to find an alter covered in gold leaf – one of the last vestiges of
an empire's wealth. |
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Walks – |
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Cilia
Santa Apologia will reward you with a view of the entire valley. At
the top is a pre-Incan stone alter, mistakenly called "The Seat of
the Inca." (But you'll still feel pretty grand resting there.) |
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Necrópolis
de Combayo is the site of pre-Incan tombs cut into living rock. Well
preserved, there are more here than any other spot in Peru. |
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Hot springs – At Banos del Inca, baths located
about 5 miles from town, the water reaches 80 degree. Known across South
America for its curative properties, true or not – you'll feel refreshed
after a nice hot soak. |
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La Colpa – Site of "El
Rescate" farm, where you can see traditional ranching skills on exhibition.
One of the most famous has ranch hands calling cows by name – yup!
They come a-runnin'! You may want to tell your little "buckaroos"
that the term is really a bad pronunciation of "vacaro" or "cowboy"
in Spanish. |
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Cumbemayo – Near the mountain
El Cumbe, you'll find an example of the staggering Inca hydraulic system,
the only spot on the continent where waters that started in the Atlantic
pass on their way to the Pacific. |
