El Brujo Archaeological Complex tour: Lady of Cao mausoleum

El Brujo Archaeological Complex holds the secrets of Peru's first female ruler

A guided tour of El Brujo Archaeological Complex in Trujillo explores the Huaca Cao Viejo temple and the Cao Museum, where you see the mausoleum and remains of the Lady of Cao, the first female ruler of ancient Peru. Small groups with an expert guide in English or Spanish. Private transportation and government fees included. The tour runs four to five hours and ends with a tasting of local fermented drinks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Lady of Cao and local culture

• Visit Huaca Cao Viejo temple
• Tour El Brujo Museum exhibits
• See the body of the Lady of Cao
• Taste Girl of the Year or Añejo de Cao

The experience

El Brujo Archaeological Complex sits in northern Peru near Trujillo, built around the Mochica civilization's ceremonial temples. The tour centers on Huaca Cao Viejo, the temple where the Lady of Cao was discovered in 2005, and the museum that holds the artifacts and remains found in the archaeological area. An expert guide walks you through both sites, explaining the significance of this enigmatic leader and the culture that surrounded her rule.

Inside the Cao Museum you see the pieces excavated from the temple and the mausoleum itself, where the body of the Lady of Cao, the Mochica woman ruler, is displayed. The guide unpacks the history and the mysteries of her reign, moving at a pace that lets you absorb the details. Small groups keep the experience intimate and allow for real conversation with the guide about what you're seeing.

The tour wraps with a stop in a local town where you taste fermented drinks made in the traditional way: the Girl of the Year or the famous Añejo de Cao, aged for a year in clay vessels. Private transportation is included throughout, and government fees are covered in the price.

What’s included

• Private transportation to and from El Brujo Archaeological Complex.
• expert guide in English or Spanish.
• access to the Huaca Cao Viejo temple and the Cao Museum with the mausoleum of the Lady of Cao.
• government fees.
• a tasting of traditional fermented drinks at a local stop.

Options for this experience

2 options

Warlock tour in Spanish10:00 and 10:30

English-language tour of the Warlock10:00 and 10:30

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 10:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 85 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 2.86

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Trujillo Turístico

Is this one for you?Choose the English or Spanish option based on which language you prefer your guide to speak. Small group size means you get real interaction with the guide and time to ask questions about the Lady of Cao and Mochica civilization without the rush of a larger tour.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What exactly is the Lady of Cao and why is she important?

The Lady of Cao was the first female ruler of the Mochica civilization in ancient Peru. She was discovered in 2005 inside the Huaca Cao Viejo temple at El Brujo Archaeological Complex, and her remains and the artifacts buried with her are now displayed in the Cao Museum, making her one of the most significant archaeological finds in the region.

What happens at the tasting stop at the end?

The tour ends with a stop in a local town where you taste traditional fermented drinks made in clay vessels. You can try the Girl of the Year or the Añejo de Cao, which is fermented for a year.

How long does the tour take and what's included in the price?

The tour runs four to five hours and includes private transportation to and from El Brujo Archaeological Complex, access to both the Huaca Cao Viejo temple and the Cao Museum, the expert guide, and government fees. Lunch is not included, but the tasting at the end is part of the experience.

Is this tour physically demanding?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. It is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, so check your fitness before booking if you have concerns about your health.