re: Interested in vacation in Peru

The other alternative, though, is to spend time north of Lima.

We started our trip in Chiclayo, a pleasant city in the north, though without a lot of sights in the city itself.



But just outside the city is the Museum of the Tombs of the Lords of Sipan, and this is one of the greatest museums in South America. It's simply stunning to see the incredible riches and artistry of the Moche people. Unfortunately, photos aren't allowed inside, but you can google the museum if you like.




From Chiclayo, we went south to Trujillo, where the Spanish colonial center of the city is very pretty.





The nearby Moche Temple of the Moon is very interesting. Everyone has heard of the Inca, but the Moche who were there just before the Inca deserve to be better known.




Also near Trujillo is Chan Chan, an ancient city of the Chimu people who also predate the Inca.