Trujillo Shore Excursion: Ancient Temples & Mud Cities

Polychrome murals older than 2,000 years, still vivid on temple walls you can touch.

A private shore excursion from Salaverry Port takes you through Trujillo's pre-Inca and Chimu archaeological sites (Huacas del Sol y la Luna, Rainbow Huaca, and Chan Chan) with a guide in English or Spanish and air-conditioned transport included. The tour runs Tuesday through Sunday. Monday arrivals visit a shorter itinerary. Lunch is your own choice at Huanchaco's seafront.

The experience

The tour starts at the Huacas del Sol y la Luna, where you spend an hour inside Huaca de la Luna exploring polychrome murals that have survived over 2,000 years. Your guide walks you through the temple's chambers and passages, then positions you at Huaca del Sol for photographs of both structures together. From there you move to Rainbow Huaca (Dragon Huaca), a mud and adobe complex built 1,300 years ago, before heading to Chan Chan: the largest mud city in the world. You walk its ancient streets, avenues and ceremonial squares to see how the Chimu empire organized its capital.

The day ends in Huanchaco, a coastal fishing village where totora reed boats are still made and used the way they have been for centuries. If time allows, you can order lunch at one of the seafront restaurants and taste ceviche and local dishes while watching the boats. The entire route is covered in an air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water provided. Your guide speaks English or Spanish and sets the pace to match your interests and energy.

Tours run Tuesday through Sunday. If your ship arrives on Monday, the itinerary shortens to Huacas del Sol y la Luna, Trujillo's Plaza de Armas, Chan Chan, and Huanchaco beach: still a full day of archaeology, but without Rainbow Huaca.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a guide who speaks English or Spanish.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• pickup from Salaverry Port and return at the end of the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (10 to 70 years) · Senior (75 to 90 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Norte Expedition

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so you set the pace and decide how long to spend at each site: ideal if you want to linger over the murals or ask detailed questions about Chimu history without waiting for a group. The full itinerary (Tuesday–Sunday) includes all four major stops. If your ship arrives Monday, the tour covers the same highlights except Rainbow Huaca.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What are the Huacas del Sol y la Luna, and what will I actually see inside them?

Huaca de la Luna is a pre-Inca temple complex with polychrome murals (painted designs in red, white, and earth tones) that date back over 2,000 years and remain vivid on the interior walls. You walk through its chambers for about an hour with your guide. Huaca del Sol stands across the valley and is viewed from outside for photographs and panoramic views of both structures together.

Is Chan Chan really the world's largest mud city, and what does it look like?

Chan Chan was the capital of the Chimu empire and covers an area of about 20 square kilometers, making it the largest pre-Columbian mud city in South America. You walk through its ancient streets, avenues, and ceremonial squares to see how the city was laid out. The adobe and mud construction is still standing after centuries, though weathered by time and climate.

What happens in Huanchaco, and can I eat there?

Huanchaco is a traditional fishing village on the coast where fishermen still use totora reed boats, bundles of reeds lashed together, to catch fish the way their ancestors did. The town has seafront restaurants where you can order lunch and watch the boats. Ceviche and other local dishes are available, though meals are not included in the tour price.

How long is the drive from Salaverry Port to the first stop?

The tour is a full-day excursion lasting roughly 13 hours from pickup to return. Most of that time is split between the archaeological sites and travel between them. Your guide manages the pace based on your interests and how long you want to spend at each location.

What if my cruise ship arrives on Monday?

Monday arrivals follow a shorter itinerary: Huacas del Sol y la Luna, Trujillo's Plaza de Armas, Chan Chan, and Huanchaco beach. Rainbow Huaca is not included on Mondays due to local access restrictions, but you still see the major temples and the mud city.