Tucume
The valley of the pyramids
On the north coast, 33km/20 miles north of the city of Chiclayo along the Leche River, lies the Valley of the Pyramids of Tucume, an architectural complex made up of 26 adobe pyramids or 'huacas' (temples) almost 40 meters/ 130 ft tall. They are spread out over 220 hectares/ 543 acres surrounding a large hill called Purgatory, which offers a spectacular view. Studies show that the first pyramids were built around A.D.700, as the center of the fledgling Lambayeque culture. The center
later became very important as regional power spread under the successive rule of the Chimu (A.D.1375- 1470) and the Incas (A.D.1470 - 1532).
The structures are from different periods and show that they were used for a number of political, administrative, social, religious and workshop purposes. They include temples, storage rooms, patios, living quarters and areas with walls decorated in haute-relief. The thousands of adobe bricks used in their construction are marked with dots or ticks, which could be the signs of a labor tax from the different communities that made the adobe. The most outstanding pyramid is Huaca Larga, the largest in South America, that measures approximately 700 meters long (2,296 ft), 280 meters thick (918 ft) and 30 meters high (98 ft).
Other attractions are: the Pomac Forest Historical Sanctuary, in Ferreñafe (35 km / 21 miles) southeast of Chiclayo, which covers an expanse of invaluable dry woodlands with their own species of wildlife, and the archaeological zone of Batan Grande where the tomb of the Lord of Sican was found (Sican means House of the Moon in the ancient Muchik language). This culture is
also known as Lambayeque and developed between the 8th and 12th centuries. The complex includes 20 pyramids or 'huacas' which functioned as temples, housing, cemeteries for the elite, and craft workshops.
Altitude
Sea level
How to Get There
- By air: daily flights from Lima (50 minutes); from Trujillo (15 minutes).
- Overland: Buses on the Pan-American Highway from Lima, (775 km / 481 miles -10 hours). from Trujillo, (210 km / 130 miles -3 hours). From Chiclayo there is public transport to Túcume, (35 km / 22 miles -30 minutes); to the town of Lambayeque, (12 km / 7 miles -10 minutes); to Ferreñafe, (18 km / 11 miles - 20 minutes). There are also special buses for hire to take these tours, especially to Chaparri.
Lodging
Up to four-star hotels in Chiclayo; Lambayeque features three-star hostels; basic accommodation in Tucume and Ferreñafe.
Activities
Archaeology, bird-watching, surfing, angling and riding on balsa rafts at Pimentel, horseback-riding through the woods at Pomac.
Tourist Services
- Full service restaurants in Chiclayo and Lambayeque.
- Transport (car, van, bus), guided tours and hired transport from Chiclayo.
Minimum Length of Stay
Two days to visit the Sican and Tucume museums; two additional days to visit other attractions in the area.
Recommendations
Bring sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes.
Nearby Attractions
National Sican Museum, in Ferreñafe, 18 km / 11 miles from Chiclayo. Good exhibits of the Sican or Lambayeque culture, including unique objects in pottery and gold and silver, plus the recreation of the tombs. Pomac Forest Historical Sanctuary, and the Sican culture archaeological complex within the sanctuary. Unique wildlife and abundant carob trees (prosopis juli flora).
Season/Climate
Sunshine all year round. Particularly hot from December to April.
Festivals
- Santísima Cruz de Chalpon (August 5): very popular religious festival throughout northern Peru.
- Señor Cautivo de Monsefu (September 14): feast of the town of Monsefu's patron, with a procession of the Christ image.
Gastronomy
- Cebiche: raw fish marinated in lime juice, onion and hot chili pepper.
- Tortilla de raya: an omelette with salt-dried ray fish Chinguirito: shredded salt-dried fish in lime juice, onion and hot chili pepper
- Seco de cabrito con frejoles: tender goat stew in a sauce of cilantro and maize beer, served with beans.
- Arroz con pato a la chiclayana: tender duck with rice in a dark malt beer and cilantro sauce.
- Chirimpico: a spicy stew of marinated goat offal.
