Several pre-Incan cultures developed in the territory where Trujillo is located nowadays. The Cupisnique culture developed between 1500 BC and 1000 BC, the Mochica or Moche culture between 100 and 800 AD and the Chimú culture between 1000 and 1200 AD.

The Moche culture developed in the country’s north coast covering territories in Ancash, Lambayeque and La Libertad between the 1^st and 7^th centuries AD.

This civilization had a vast knowledge of hydraulic engineering. We can see this in their channels which allowed them to take water to their crops generating a surplus and giving them a stable economy. This culture used copper to make ornaments, tools and weapons. Their fine pottery gave them the title of the best ceramists of the ancient Peru. In their pottery they represented deities, men, animals, ceremonial rituals, and myths that reflect their perception of the world. The last discoveries show us that this culture disappeared because of an El Niño phenomenon.

The Chimú culture is formed after the Huari culture´s fall. They inhabited territories that were occupied by the Moche and the Lambayeque and spread their territory from Tumbes in the north up to Huarmey in the south.

This civilization stands out because of its urban development and their formidable buildings. Examples of them are Chan Chan and the Paramonga fortress. They were also metallurgists and used several techniques. Regarding textiles, cotton, llama, alpaca and vicuna wool knittings have been found.

By the end of the 15^th century, the Chimú culture was defeated by the Incas during the reign of Pachacútec. The Incas took the Gran Chimú’s treasures to Cusco and with the gold pieces they decorated the Koricancha or Sun Temple.

After the Spanish conquest, Diego de Almagro began the foundation of Trujillo at the end of 1534 and named it Villa de Trujillo. Since then, Trujillo became the most important city of the north and a halfway point between the City of Kings (Lima) and San Miguel de Piura. Besides, the Huanchaco port served as a hub for the Spanish sites in Panamá.

Trujillo was the first Peruvian city to complete the Independence process from Spain. It accomplished the necessary actions for that purpose between December 1820 and January 1821.

Trujillo is the capital of La Libertad department and it is located north of Peru. It shares borders with Ancash and Huánuco at the south, with Lambayeque, Cajamarca and Amazonas at the north, with San Martin at the east and with the Pacific Ocean at the west.

Trujillo has an area of 1,769 km² and a population of 919,899 inhabitants.

The Moche river runs through the south of the city. Its waters were used by the Mochicas and the Chimús who benefitted from the river to irrigate their crops. The Moche river flows into the Pacific Ocean.

Just like Chiclayo, Trujillo´s territory is mainly flat with a slight elevation from west to east.

Trujillo still preserves the colonial time’s architecture, wandering the streets of its historic center will allow us to take very nice pictures and time travel.

Since Trujillo is the birthplace of several pre-Hispanic cultures, we can visit the following archaeological sites that are a few minutes from the city:

• The Chan Chan citadel
• The Sun and Moon huacas
• Dragon huaca
• El Brujo museum and archaeological site (Lady of Cao)

Huanchaco is about 45 minutes by car. It is an excellent place to relax and have a good time with the caballitos de totora.

Among its most important festivities we can mention:

• National Marinera Contest: the marinera is a traditional Peruvian dance in which we can see the cultural mixing that is present in the country´s cultural manifestations. Trujillo is considered the national capital of marinera, so every year, during January, the Club Libertad oversees the organization of this national contest.
• International Spring Festival: among the events that are programmed for this festival we can find the coronation of the queen of spring, fashion shows, parades and fairs. The events have an entrance fee and the money is used in charitable programs of the Club Los Leones.

Huanchaco carnivals: just like the rest of the country, Huanchaco celebrates the carnival with dances and concerts.

The gastronomy in the north of Peru is one of the most important in the country. We can find arroz con pato (rice with duck), a dish made with cilantro, an aromatic herb that gives an amazing flavor to it. Among the typical dishes we can also find espesado, a corn soup with a side dish of yellow rice, tortilla de raya, which is an omelet made of skate fish with green onions and yellow chili. The white chicha is the zone’s typical beverage. In Trujillo, we can find cabrito con frejoles (goat meat served with beans), shambar (wheat soup made with pork’s skin and smoked ham), the sopa teóloga, turkey and hen broth with soaked bread, potato, milk and cheese.