Step inside Chan Chan, the UNESCO-listed Chimú capital and the largest pre-Columbian city in South America — a vast labyrinth of royal citadels, ceremonial courts, and exquisitely carved adobe friezes. With a private expert guide, you decode 600 years of coastal empire at your own pace.
What to expect
Your guide meets you dockside at Salaverry and whisks you 20 minutes north to Chan Chan's desert edge. You enter the Tschudi Royal Citadel through monumental adobe gateways, winding through ceremonial plazas whose walls are alive with repeating pelican, otter, and fish reliefs. Your expert contextualises the Chimú civilisation — their hydraulic genius, their gold craft, their eventual defeat by the Inca — making the site visceral, not just visual. The complex is vast but the private pace ensures you emerge informed and elated rather than rushed.
Good to know
Chan Chan is ~20 min drive from Salaverry port; allow 2–2.5 hrs on-site. Port pick-up is standard with Trujillo Turístico — confirm your ship's all-aboard time when booking so the guide tailors the schedule. Sun and wind are fierce; bring a hat, sunscreen, and a light layer. Book at least one week ahead for prime morning slots.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Salaverry (Trujillo) — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.
More to do in Salaverry (Trujillo)
- Huacas del Sol y de la Luna: Private Expert Tour of the Moche Pyramids
- El Brujo & Lady of Cao: Private Archaeology Tour of Peru's Female Ruler
- Huanchaco: Reed Totora Boat Experience & Ceviche Lunch by the Sea
- Trujillo Colonial City: Private Walking Tour & Marinera Culture
- Sandboarding the Coastal Dunes: Adrenaline at the Desert's Edge