Temple of the Moon & Sun Tour from Trujillo: Moche Temples

Walk between two massive pyramids and stand inside adobe walls covered in ancient frescoes

A tour of the Temples of the Sun and Moon (Huacas de Moche) near Trujillo visits two of northern Peru's most important ancient sites in three hours, with a professional guide, hotel pickup and entry to the onsite museum. You'll see the pyramids themselves, the frescoes carved into the Temple of the Moon's walls, and artifacts and pottery from the Moche culture on display. Choose between a private tour or a group departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Temples of the Sun and Moon

• Arrive in Moche valley
• Meet traditional Mochica family
• Visit Pyramids of the Sun and Moon
• See frescoes in Temple of the Moon
• Explore Huacas de Moche site museum

The Experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel in Trujillo and a drive into the Moche valley. A guide meets you at the site and walks you through the Temples of the Sun and Moon, which together formed the center of power for the ancient Moche civilization on Peru's north coast. The scale of the pyramids becomes clear as you move between them — the Temple of the Sun is massive, and the Temple of the Moon sits across the valley floor. What makes this stop different from many ruins is the frescoes: adobe walls inside the Temple of the Moon carry painted designs that archaeologists have uncovered and preserved, and the guide explains what they meant to the people who built them.

After the temples themselves, you walk through the Huacas de Moche site museum, which holds pottery, utensils and tombs from the Moche period. The collection shows the artistic level of the culture — vessels and tools that reveal how people lived and what they valued. The guide ties the objects back to what you saw in the temples, so the artifacts make sense as part of a larger story rather than as a collection of fragments. The whole visit runs about three hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Trujillo.
• entrance to both the Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon.
• access to the Huacas de Moche site museum with its collection of Moche pottery and artifacts.
• a professional guide throughout the tour.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by VIPAC Travel

Is this one for you?If your Spanish is limited or nonexistent, book the private option with a guide who speaks your language — the commentary is what transforms the temples from impressive structures into a story about how the Moche people lived and ruled. A shared group tour works well if you're comfortable following along in a language you speak reasonably well and don't mind a slightly larger group.

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Top questions

What exactly are the Temples of the Sun and Moon?

The Temples of the Sun and Moon (Huacas de Moche) are two massive adobe pyramids built by the ancient Moche civilization on Peru's north coast, near Trujillo. They were the center of political and religious power for the Moche people and are among the most important archaeological sites in northern Peru. The Temple of the Moon contains frescoes on its interior walls that have been excavated and preserved.

Will I need to climb the pyramids or do a lot of walking?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, so you don't need to be an experienced hiker. You'll walk around and between the temples and through the museum, but the pace is set by the guide and there's no strenuous climbing required.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes entrance to both temples, hotel pickup and drop-off in Trujillo, entry to the Huacas de Moche site museum, and a professional guide. Food and drinks are not included, so bring water and snacks or plan to eat before or after.

Can I book a private tour, or does it have to be a group?

You can choose between a private tour with just your group or a shared group departure. Both options include the same sites, guide and inclusions — the difference is whether you travel with other visitors or on your own.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and one additional language. Let the operator know which language you prefer when you book.