Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Alternatively, Moche Tours (
Click here
)
in Chiclayo arranges day tours, including
transportation and guide, for S130 per person (minimum four people).
RUIN
Batán Grande & Chota
About halfway from Chiclayo to Chongoyape a minor road on your left leads to the Sicán
ruins of
Batán Grande
. This is a major archaeological site where about 50 pyramids
have been identified and several burials have been excavated. With the urging of Dr Wal-
ter Alva, among others, the site was transformed into the
Santuario Histórico Bosque de
Pomac
, but there is no tourist infrastructure. The protected reserve lies within one of the
largest dry tropical forests in the world and hosts more than 50 species of birds; healthy
stands of
algarrobo
(carob tree) offer beautiful shade along the way.
Combis
to Batán
Grande leave from Chiclayo's Terminal de Epsel (S5), but it is best to go on an organized
tour.
One of the best ways to visit this area is on horseback from
Rancho Santana
(
97-971-2145;
www.cabalgatasperu.com
;
camping with/without tent rental S10/5, r per
person incl breakfast S35; )
in Pacora, about 45km northeast of Chiclayo. Readers
rave about their experiences riding typical Peruvian Paso horses at this rustic, animal-
packed Swiss-owned ranch, which also has a simple but spacious bungalow with ham-
mocks and super-sized bathroom; fresh milk and simple meals are whipped up if needed
or guests may use the kitchen facilities. The owners are highly knowledgeable of Lam-
bayeque cultures and will pick you up in Chiclayo for half-day to three-day
cabalgatas
(horse rides) through the Pomac Forest, Batán Grande and the pyramids at Túcume. The
owners care for their horses exceptionally well and can make even the most inexperienced
rider feel comfortable. The tours are a great value at S45 for a half-day to S300 for three
days. You can also camp for S5 (with cooking and washing facilities) at the ranch.
A rough but scenic road climbs east from Chongoyape into the Andes until it reaches
Chota
(at an altitude of around 2400m), a 170km journey that takes about eight hours.
Two or three buses a day from Chiclayo travel there, from where a daily bus makes the
rough journey via Bambamarca and Hualgayoc to Cajamarca (five hours).
Piura
073 / POP 252,200
After several hours of crossing the vast emptiness of the Sechura Desert, Piura material-
izes like a mirage on the horizon, enveloped in quivering waves of heat. It's hard to ignore
