Intihotel Chiclayo

Chiclayo Bears and Moche

by cuencakaren

"5 Essential Things to Know About The Moche"

1. They were there before the Incas
The Moche culture thrived between 100-800AD on the north coast of Peru, between the sea and the Andes mountains. The Incas were strong from around 800AD and started off in the mountains and farther south.

2. The Moche made really good pots
Most of what we know about the Moche comes from their pottery. They made amazing pots adorned with fruit and vegetables, animals, magical creatures, hideous gods, pictures of ritual battles and sacrifices. The Larco Museum in Lima even has a whole section devoted to erotic pots – the majority from the ascendancy of the Moche.

3. The Moche were a bloodthirsty lot
Moche warriors held ritual battles to decide who would be given as sacrificial victims to the gods. Special ceremonial cutthroats were used to cut victim’s necks and then the blood offered in special cups. You can see the knifes on show at the Sipan Museum. Those intended for sacrifice were known to be held for weeks before death to allow maximum blood letting. When crops failed because fo bad weather, archeologists think they used children as sacrifices.

4. The Moche packed their tombs with all sorts of stuff
Moche tombs in northern Peru have been found containing incredible hoards of skillfully crafted gold and silverware, tapestries, pots, shells, hairless dogs, llamas and food items. Servants, guards with feet cut off, family members and even mistresses were buried alongside important members of society. The tomb was then encased in a huge pyramid (or Huaca). All these accompaniments were meant to ease the transition of the dead into the afterlife. The biggest hoarde was found in the Tomb of the 'Lord of Sipan', at Huaca Rajada, outside the village of Sipam. Many of the items found are on display in the Museum of the Tombs in Lambayeque.

5. Its very easy to visit what the Moche have left us.
As well as Chiclayo, there is the Huacas de La Luna and Sol, and the Huaca de la Bruja outside Trujilo. In Lima dont't miss the excellent Museums of The Nation, Larco and the Central Bank.

For more on the Moche
The Moche And How They Live On In Modern Peru

"Chaparri Reserve"

This is a fabulous reserve located around 2 hours outside of Chiclayo. You can take a day trip or stay in the comfortable and friendly lodge in the reserve. All the guides and staff here are passionate about what they do here preseving the local wildlife and nature. It is a totally peaceful place, fantastic for bird watching or just relaxing. Wildlife includes peccaries, condors, deer and foxes but the big draw are the Spectacled Bears. Chaparri is probably the best place in the Andes to see these cute bears in their natural habitat.
For my full story about the reserve and meeting the bears see
Meeting The Spectacled Bear

"Hotel Ayapalleck Muchik"

I admit, the name is terrible and hotel doesn't look like much.
Basically it is a very Peru style business hotel with not much character from the outside.
The service from the young staff here, though, is second to none. I was travelling with a two year old so had plenty of perhaps unusual requests eg for milk, for internet in the middle of the night (when he was asleep), for times of buses etc. Every request was met with prompt and friendly service. I don't normally write comments on hotels but I totally recommend this hotel to anyone for hands down the best service in Peru.
Rooms around 50-60 soles for a double. Tel: 074 234191. San Jose 1084, Chiclayo.

Chiclayo is a very commercial city

by interventor

"A short time in Chiclayo"

First, u have to know that Chiclayo is know as "City of friendship". I dont know why, i couldnt make friends. But my trip was beautiful.
Hi! I went to Chiclayo on "Civa" bus. We arrived on afternoon to terminal of that company. Then, we went to hostel 10 minutes nearby downtown. It was secure. We walked by main park and streets around.
Chiclayo has many stores of shoes. It is a very commercial city, i think that more than Trujillo.
The first day, we chose to take a tour. We visited the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipán. I dont like so much these tours but she enjoyed a lot. Inside the museum, wherever u see, u see gold.

The second day, we went to a market and buy a typical hat of the region (u can see in picture), then, we walked by Paseo de las Musas, a very beautiful place. Later, we decided to visit the famous beaches of Trujillo and see the wharf of Pimentel. In a restaurant, we ate ceviche and chicha de jora, i like a lot chicha de jora (a typical drink of Peru).
At night, we had to go of that city. It was a short time, i would like go one more time.

Chiclayo - a great place to visit

by Flyinggrandma

"My first visit to the north of Peru"

Although this was my third visit to Peru it was the first time I had travelled north. Everyone thinks Machu Pichu is the place to visit, and it is wonderful, but there are places in the north that are just as interesting. Chiclayo is a large city and it offers something for everyone. If you like the beach Pumalin is only a taxi ride away and it has a fantastic beach where you can see the local fishermen using reed boats called caballitos which have been used for hundreds of years. The fisherman kneel on top and rides over the waves, throws his net and brings in an assortment of fish to sell on the beach. The sea is very shallow for a long way out and the waves are not as fierce as they are further south. Fish restaurants abound by the beach and the fish couldn't be fresher. If you are European or have a pale skin expect to be stopped and asked where you are from and why you are there. The locals are very friendly but the area doesn't get many foreign visitors and they are genuinely interested in talking to foreigners. I spent quite a lot of time on the beach with my blonde granddaughter and we were constantly approached and asked about ourselves and what we thought of Peru. The hotels and restaurants are cheaper than in more touristy areas and the food in general is very good. There are plenty of hotels for all budgets and although not many people speak English it is possible to get by with sign language and a phrase book.

"Museums and archaeological sites"

There are some great museums in the area - Sican at Ferrenafe and Sipan at Lambayeque which I have described separately and another small one at Tucume. It is possible to get a combi to Tucume from the local bus station. It is about a 40 minute ride from Chiclayo. From there we took a couple of moto taxis to get to the museum. Itis small but it gives lots of information about the area and the archaeological digs that are still going on there. We walked out into the desert to look at the adobe pyramids, of which there are 26, and climbed 200 steps to a mirador. It is necessary to carry water with you as although it isn't far the heat is fierce and you soon get dehydrated.

Mr. Sipan's Town

by hartti

"Sipan Museum"

The visit to Sipan Museum is nice experience, but the problem is the strict rule for having camera with. They simply take away all the cameras and phones, too! So, I do not have very bright memories about it. Pity to come so far for almost nothing!!!

CHICLAYO LA CIUDAD DE LA AMISTAD

by hgolac

"CHICLAYO -LAMBAYEQUE"

Chiclayo, situated at 270 meters (891 feet) above sea level and known for its textiles and pottery, was home to ancient pre-Hispanic cultures that erected important temples like the Túcume Pyramids and the archeological monuments of Batán Grande and Huaca Rajada, which are of worldwide importance.

"THE LORD OF SIPÁN"

The most prominent tombs, those of the Lord of Sipán and his forbear, known as the Old Lord, were excavated in the Huaca Rajada archeological complex. The most beautiful pottery and gold artifacts buried with the Lord of Sipán are on display at the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum.