Chiclayo
The department of Lambayeque is located on the coastal plain and combines arid zones, rich valleys, and dry forests. Chiclayo, bordered by fertile valleys and very close to the ocean, is the capital of the department and the commercial nexus among the three Peruvian regions: coast, highland, and jungle.
This territory was the cradle of the Mochicas, who lived there between the first and fourth centuries A.D., which makes Lambayeque one of the most interesting archeological destinations in the country. It was in 1987 that the famous royal tombs of Sipán were discovered, the burial remains of an important Mochican ruler. Besides the Sipán archeological site, you can visit the modern Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum that contains the most extraordinary gold pieces found in the excavations. Likewise, it is worth a visit to the Brunning Museum, located in the province of Lambayeque, and to the Sicán Museum, located in the province of Ferreñafe.
Túcume is another archeological site of unique beauty. There, you will see more than twenty adobe pyramids, all approximately forty meters high, that belong to the Lambayeque culture and which are nestled in an area full of wildlife and abundant vegetation. Another must see in Lambayeque is the Chaparrí Ecological Reserve, located in the district of Chongoyape. Here, the dry forests and the biodiversity they shelter are preserved.
Lambayeque also boasts one of the best cuisines in the country: exquisite rice with duck competes with cebiche in a competition where the gourmands are always the winners. The lovely port and beach resort of Pimentel and the tradition town of Saña with its Colonial houses and churches in ruins round out the attractions of this fascinating department.
Atractions
Brunning Archeaological MuseumCity of Lambayeque. Avenida Huamachuco, block 8. Telephone: (074) 28-2110. Fax: (074) 28-3440. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. including holidays
Here, a collection of archeological objects gathered by the German ethnographer Enrique Bruning is displayed. The four floors of the museum show ceramic, textile, stone and wood worked artifacts. Taken together, they demonstrate the vigorous artistic and technological character of the regional cultures of the past 5000 years. The “Sala de Oro” (Gold Room) of this museum is an exhibition of the priceless historic treasure of the pre-Colombian America.
Cathedral of ChiclayoCenter of the city. Visiting hours: Mass time
This Neoclassical church dates back to 1869. The entrance has two doors and is flanked by Doric columns that stand in front of three arches. Inside, the building is formed by three naves and the highlight is the carved wooden image of Cristo Pobre (the Poor Christ).
Chaparri Ecological Reserve95 km / 59 miles southeast of Chiclayo (1 hour and 30 minutes by car)
Visits upon phone reservation – (074) 433194 – 452299
This area of 34.412 hectares belongs to the Muchik Santa Catalina de Chongoyape farming community. This is the first private conservation area in Peru. Its main objective is the preservation of the dry forests in the area and the rich biodiversity that it shelters. Also, it hopes to establish a mechanism that will allow for the sustainable use of its natural resources. Important endangered species found there are the spectacled bear, the guanaco, the white winged guan, and the Andean condor.
Huaca Rajada Archeaological Comples - Lord of Sipan35 km / 22 miles southeast of Chiclayo (45 minutes by car)
It is located at the borders of what once was the Pomalca plantation. There, in 1987, a tomb of a Mochican ruler, later named the Lord of Sipan, was discovered with intact vestiges. The findings allowed experts to learn about the burial rituals of a Mochican sovereign who was buried with a warrior, a priest, two women, a boy, a dog, a llama, and a guardian with both feet amputated. The burial paraphernalia included numerous items of gold and silver jewelry inlaid with turquoise and lapis lazuli.
The pre-Inca construction, or huaca, is formed by a burial platform and two truncated adobe pyramids that also belonged to the Mochican culture (first – fourth centuries A.D.).
Mercado Artesanal de Monsefú (Monsefu Craft Market)14 km / 9 miles south of Chiclayo (15 minutes by bus)
Monsefu is known for its straw weaving – hats, baskets, purses, and saddle bags – as well as works of cotton and thread. It is also famous for embroidery with gold and silver threads. There, you can find delicate napkins, table cloths, blouses, skirts, ponchos, and embroidered cloaks.
Palacio Municipal de Chiclayo (Chiclayo City Hall)Calle San Jose 823
It is a Republican building with wide windows and doors of forged iron. It was built in 1919, and the estimated cost was something around 30.000 pounds of gold.
Pimentel Beach Resort11 km / 7 miles west of Chiclayo (15 minutes by car)
This modern beach resort is a good place to surf. You can also observe fishermen who still make use of the ancestral rafts, “caballitos de totora” (little horses of totora reeds), traditionally used on the north coast of Peru since the pre-Colombian era.
Royal Tombs of Sipan National MuseumCity of Lambayeque. Avenida Juan Pablo Vizcardo y Guzmán. Visiting hours: Tues. – Sun. 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
This modern architectural building houses the collection of archeological objects of gold, silver, and copper found in the tomb of the Lord of Sipan.
The museum is directed by the archeologist Watler Alva, manager and director of the project, who was also the discoverer of the tomb in the archeological zone of the Huaca Rajada in the town of Sipan.
Among the many important pieces are earrings, ceremonial scepters, medallions, a heavy circular gold ingot, nose rings, gold necklaces in the shape of peanuts, a gold chin and cheek mask, gold back flap, and gold disks worn around the neck.
Tucume Archeaological Complex1 km / 0,6 miles from the town of Tucume (10 minutes by car) or 33 km / 21 miles north of Chiclayo (20 minutes by car). Telephone: (074) 80-0052. Visiting hours:Mon. – Sun. 8:00A.M.–4:30P.M. (except Christmas).
According to the legend, it was built in the year 700 A.D. and was founded by Calac, descendent of Naymlap. Tucume, or Valle de las Pirámides (Valley of the Pyramids), is made up of twenty-six pyramids, the most impressive ones being the Huaca del Pueblo, La Raya, El Sol, and Las Estacas. Besides of archeology richness, other programs are offered such as testing of the local cuisine, shamanistic experiences, traditional medicine, and cultural exchange. Tucume stands out for its level of community involvement in the preservation of its natural and cultural heritage.
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