Silversea Luxury Cruises À SALAVERRY

Salaverry is the port for Trujillo which was the resting place along the Spaniard route between Lima and Quito. Learn how to prepare ceviche with a lesson conducted by a head chef. You'll learn the secrets of the perfect Peruvian ceviche so you can recreate the dish after a wonderful time in Peru. Stop at the beach and watch fishermen use boats that are skilfully handmade with reeds and are flexible thus looking like galloping horses in the surf.

Huanchaco

Depart the pier for the approximately 30 minute drive following a coastal route to beach-blessed Huanchaco, where you may see surfers riding waves, fishermen tending their nets, and fishing boats on the horizon. On arrival to the waterfront restaurant prepare yourself to watch an award-winning chef prepare Huanchaco's most famous dish: ceviche!

Cooking Demonstration

Although the origin of ceviche is disputed, the dish is nevertheless revered in this region. In pre-Columbian times, the raw fish in ceviche was marinated in juice from maize. Today it is marinated in juice from limes, which the Spanish introduced in the late 15th century.

While there are many variations of the recipe, in Peru ceviche is traditionally made with sea bass or sole and topped with diced red onions, minced habanero peppers, and chopped cilantro. It is often served with cold slices of sweet potatoes and corn on the cob. Following the chef's demonstration, you'll enjoy a tasting of the freshly prepared ceviche.

Huanchaco Beach

Next, continue on to the beach where you will watch an exhibition by fishermen in traditional reed boats known as sea horses or "caballitos" because the reeds are so flexible the boats look like galloping horses in the surf. The reeds are absorbent, so in time the fishing boats must be stood on their ends to dry in the sand, an image synonymous with Huanchaco.

Following this fascinating look at some time-honoured Peruvian traditions, re-board the coach and travel back to the pier, approximately 30-minutes, in Salaverry.

Explore the ancient treasures of the Chicama Valley during this scenic and memorable excursion to the El Brujo Archaeological Complex, and a visit to the Dama de Cao Museum. Discover a cultural sequence of 5,000 years, from preceramic times to the European occupation in the 16th century.

El Brujo Archaeological Complex

Depart the pier for the approximately 1.5-hour drive along the Pan-American Highway en route to the Chicama Valley. Upon arrival, proceed for a visit to the archaeological complex of El Brujo, the 'Sorcerer'. El Brujo is one of the most important archaeological complexes on the northern coast of Peru, and dates from the Mochica culture 5,000 years ago.

Archaeological excavations here in 1990 unearthed three large temples, the Dark Temple, or 'Huaca Prieta', the Closed-off Temple, or 'Huaca Cortada', and the Temple of Old Cao. The buildings reaching up to 150 feet (46 metres) in height, present walls decorated with friezes and coloured reliefs depicting complex scenes, characters and geometric designs. They are unique among Moche cultural sites for their spectrum of colours and designs.

Dama de Cao Museum

Next, visit the Dama de Cao Museum. In 2006, the Dama de Cao, also known as the Tattooed Lady, or 'Dama de los Tatuajes', was unearthed intact in her funerary depository at the El Brujo Archaeological Complex. Decorated with glittering nose-rings, crowns and necklaces, wrapped in exquisite textiles and flanked by the weapons of power of the Mochica rulers, the Dama de Cao is the centrepiece of the new Dama de Cao Museum.

Following your visit to the museum and a look at this enigmatic lady, commence the approximately 1.5-hour drive back to the pier.

Explore the culture and heritage of ancient Salaverry during this memorable, half-day excursion to Chan Chan and the Huaca Dragon. The citadel of Chan Chan was the ancient capital of the Chimu Empire from the 13th Century and the largest adobe (mud) city that has been discovered yet. The Huaca Dragon (or Rainbow Temple) is one of the best-preserved Chimu ceremonial centers and an adobe pyramid that dates back approximately 1,100 years.

Chan Chan Ruins

Depart the pier for the approximate 1-hour drive to the ruins of Chan Chan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ancient capital of the Chimu Empire, Chan Chan was built around 1100 A.D. and represents the largest clay city in pre-Hispanic America. The plazas, houses, streets, workshops and pyramidal temples of this historic urban centre are still clearly defined. Its 36-foot-high (11-metre-high) walls are decorated with reliefs of geometric figures, and zoomorphic and mythological creatures.

Huaca Dragon

Next, re-board your coach and proceed to the Temple of the Dragon, or 'Huaca Dragon'. Thought to be 1,100 years old, this adobe pyramidal temple features a square base and walls decorated with zoomorphic representations in high relief. The name of the temple is derived from one of these figures that resemble a dragon as is believed to have been the first settlement of the Wari Culture in the Moche Valley

Afterwards commence the drive back to the pier, approximately a 30-minute ride.

Depart to the southern part of Trujillo to visit the religious centre of the Mochica Culture, Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna, which is covered with beautiful and vibrant polychrome murals that cover even earlier vibrant polychrome murals.

Mochica culture

Depart the pier for the approximate 30-minute drive to the south of Trujillo to visit a religious centre of the Mochica culture, built in the fifth century. Admire the temples of the Sun and the Moon, which developed between 100 AD and 900 AD. Both huacas are separated by 546.8 yards (500 metres), where the urban centre that housed the Moche elite is still preserved underground. The archaeological complex includes two large pyramids, the Huaca Las Estrellas, Huaca del Cerro Blanco, the Spider geoglyph and other buildings.

Huaca de la Luna

Huaca de la Luna is covered with beautiful and vibrant polychrome murals that cover even earlier vibrant polychrome murals.

Museum

Your tour concludes with a visit to the Huaca de la Luna site Museum, followed by a brief drive back to the pier.