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MOCHE Expeditions
North Coast Tour
Itinerary
August 1st - 11th, 2007
For reservations, please contact: Juliana Quist at
quist@savethemoche.org
MOCHE is a nonprofit organization.
A $300 tax deductable contribution and all proceeds from this tour go directly toward community-defined development projects and heritage protection efforts in Peru.
Day 1
Our adventure begins downtown in The City of Kings with a walking tour to explore both historical and modern Lima. We will see the changing of the guards at the presidential palace and delve under the streets to the catacombs of the church of San Francisco. Afterwards, we head to city's youthful, bohemian quarter of Barranco for a relaxed lunch by the Pacific Ocean and perhaps a taste of Peru's most famous drink- the pisco sour. Evening is free time in fashionable Miraflores We encourge you to take a stroll in Parque Kennedy taking in the music, artists, and restaurants before settling in for the night at our hotel. Click here: Hostal El Patio for more information.
Day 2
Today we start our look at the prehistoric archaeology of Peru with a group talk and a visit to the world-renowned Larco Museum. Then, after lunch, it's onto the bus for our trip north to the city of Trujillo. You will travel along the Pan-American Highway as it follows the coast through the driest desert in the world- the Atacama. Late that night we arrive in Huanchaco.
For more information about the Larco museum:
http://www.museolarco.org/index/
Day 3
Huanchaco is a quaint, historically fishing village located just outside of Trujillo and it is the current home base of UNC's field school. We will spend the day exploring this picturesque town and learning much of the history of the area. After a group lunch we head to the main Moche site of Huaca de La Luna/Huaca del Sol which lies only a short distance away. You will be amazed by the size and complexity of this ancient city with it massive flat-topped pyramids [huacas] and enourmous, colorful murals.
Day 4
Today you will get to see what MOCHE is all about! We are going to spend the whole day in the small town of Cuidad de Dios where all summer, students and staff have been actively excavating and working on community improvement projects. Everyone will be encouraged to pick up a trowel and learn just what archaeologists do and how. We are also going to take time to investigate the status of the new safe water system and the new museum building's construction and to lend helping hands where they are needed. Plan on getting a bit dirty and being happy about it!
Day 5
Today you will visit the expansive ruins of Chan Chan, the capial city of the Chimu. In the afternoon, we head into Trujillo for a walking tour of Peru's 3rd largest city and some entertainment. Dinner will be at a local pena with traditional music and dancing for all. The famed Marinera dance heralds from this very city and you are sure to see some beautiful performances!
Day 6
On Monday we say goodbye to Huanchaco and again head north by private first-class charter bus. We will stop at the site of el Brujo, Spanish for the Wizard, with its 3 ocean-side huacas before continuing on to San Jose de Moro near Chepen in the Jequetepeque Valley. This site is a 1,000 year old ceremonial center and cemetery whose residents also specialized in the production of chicha [corn beer]. You will see the active excavation of extraordinary Moche royal tombs! Our day wraps up in the small, peaceful seaside town of Pacasmayo.
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Day 7
A short ride north on our private charter bus, we will find ourselves at the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum. Here you will see the riches of the Lord of Sipan and his entourage as even National Geographic articles cannot convey! For lunch, just around the corner is a favorite local restaurant sure to please all. We will settle in for the night at a picturesque little hotel overlooking the ruins of Tucume.
Day 8
Today we take a bus ride into the Andes Mountains that will blow you away! We head east through canyons and gorges up to an altitude of almost 9,000ft and the largely undiscovered, with respect to tourism, mountain city of Cajamarca. And, after such an eventful ride, it is only fitting that we unwind at the local hot spring baths known as the Banos del Inca, the Inca hot springs. You will bathe in the same spring waters that Incan Emperors once enjoyed! And, just in case you don’t get your fill of the soothing, thermal waters at the public baths, each room at the Hotel Laguna Seca comes equipped with its own thermal bath! Your accommodations will also include heated swimming pools, hot spring creeks which flow through lush gardens, and turkish baths with natural steam that comes from the springs, scented with the wonderful aroma of eucalyptus leaves. Click here for more information about the Hotel Laguna Seca
Day 9
This morning, we will visit the nearby site of Cumbe Mayo and discuss the role of water in molding the beliefs and practices of pre-contact Andean cultures. Lunch will be on the central plaza followed by a walking tour of this historically significant town, for it was here in Cajamarca that the Spaniards, under the leadership of Francisco Pizarro, conquered the last Incan Emperor, Atahualpa. Late afternoon and evening is free time to do some personal exploring, shopping, and relaxing at the Hotel Laguna Seca.
Day 10
Thursday is a day for natural beauty and adventure. We will be led by a local nonprofit group on a day hike along a section of the old Inca road system. You will see breathtaking scenery, archaeological wonders and meet rural villagers along the way. That evening we will celebrate our expedition with a parrillada, a cookout, back at the Hotel Laguna Seca.
Day 11
This morning is free time to finish up any shopping or perhaps make a return trip to the Banos del Inca. Our flight to Lima leaves in the afternoon and it’s a quick hop back by air. Most flights back to the U.S. leave quite late at night so we will have rooms reserved at the hotel in Lima for your convenience.
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Printable version of this itinerary:
North Coast Itinerary
Price: $2500 per person
The package includes:
-All domestic travel
-All site and museum entrance fees
-All accommodations
-Group meals
-Tour guides
-Insurance
-Tips
-A $300 tax-deductable donation to MOCHE
The package does not include:
-International transportation
-Personal Expenses
Important Information:
-Participants should arrive in Lima by Tuess, July 31.
-U.S. citizens only need a valid passport.<
-Everyone should have current vaccinations..
-Please bring any medications you need.
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-Peru's electricity is 220 volts, pack a coonverter.
-Try to pack at light as possible, but be pprepared.
The tour cost is based on double occupancy. If you will be traveling alone, we will be happy to pair you with a roommate or you may choose to pay an additional $300 for private accommodations.
Please feel free to contact Juliana Quist at quist@savethemoche.org with any questions. All funds must be paid at time of reservation. Paypal should be available soon! For now, please pay by check made out to MOCHE, Inc.
and mail to:
MOCHE, Inc.
PO Box 5201
Chapel Hill, NC
27514-5002
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