The Huaca Prieta, the Huaca Cao Viejo and the Huaca Cortada come together in one to form a tourist attraction of unattainable magnitudes in the city of Trujillo, region of La Libertad. It is the El Brujo Archaeological Complex, one of the standards of history and culture of northern Peru. This sacred place hides unimaginable secrets that only a visit to its confines can solve.
The researcher Antonio Raimondi was the first scholar to find this archaeological complex, considered Cultural Heritage in Peru. This first visit occurred more than 150 years ago, although its creation dates from the year 2000 BC. C. That's right, we are talking about a ceremonial center of more than 5000 years! of antiquity, one of the reasons to consider it as one of the most important and long-lived archaeological zones of the northern coastal zone.
Although it was initially occupied by nomadic gathering and hunting groups, the Moche, Lambayeque, Chimú and Inca cultures also lived within its confines, which settled at different stages of history until their abandonment in 1750 AD. C, approx.
What is the El Brujo complex?
The visits to the El Brujo Archaeological Complex are part of the Moche Route; an archaeological circuit that transports us to an amazing ancient civilization. El Brujo is considered one of the great landmarks of this route, since it is the place where the tomb and remains of the Lady of Cao were found, which today is exhibited in the modern Museum of the site.
The Lady of Cao was an important finding for Peruvian archaeology; since it is believed that she played an important role in the Moche society of the lower Chicama Valley. Also, because it represents an unprecedented archaeological discovery, as it helps to deepen the studies on one of the most important pre-Hispanic cultures that developed in Peru.
Today the El Brujo Archaeological Complex is under the administration of Fundación Wiese, who, in addition to conducting research in the area; It also organizes different events that involve the community of the La Libertad region and that attract both national and international tourists, as well as researchers.
Among the annual events that are organized by the foundation, is the International Archeology Colloquium, in which the advances of the investigations carried out in the complex are exposed.
This place will cast a spell on you
Once you are in this mystical place, enjoy the cultural benefits it has for you. La Huaca Prieta, with its archaeological remains of textile art and underground rooms of stone and mud made by sedentary farmers. This has an antiquity that dates from the years 12,500 a. C. The Huaca Cortada, also known as the Huaca Partida or the Huaca El Brujo, has a height of 22 meters and the area attributed to it measures about 10 thousand m². Inside, walls were found decorated with fish designs.
The Huaca Cao Viejo is the most important of the three that are present. It belonged to the Moche culture and is made up of seven superimposed buildings, where the presence of a ceremonial plaza surrounded by walls also stands out. It is believed that this functioned as a place of sacrifices, since in different sectors of the truncated pyramid you can see the presence of the deity Ai Apaec, known as the Killer God, the main supernatural being of the Mochica culture. The remains of the Lady of Cao, the first female ruler of the Moche culture, were also found in this pyramid.
In El Brujo, the Cao Museum is also at the public service, which protects the mummified remains of the Lady of Cao, and has seven rooms that compile the history and cultural legacy of the Moche culture. This was inaugurated in 2009.
How to get?
The Chicama River valley jealously guards this archaeological complex, which is located in the district of Magdalena de Cao, in the province of Ascope. Accessing this fantastic area is not complicated. If you are in Lima, the capital of Peru, a flight to Trujillo takes a little over an hour. From the city of 'Eternal Spring' to El Brujo, you can take a bus that takes a maximum of 2 hours, in which you will travel through various districts and cities in the region.
Another alternative route is to take a bus from Trujillo to the Chocope district (1 hour), and then take a taxi to the Magdalena de Cao district. This second journey takes 20 minutes. Once you arrive at the district center, hire the services of a motorcycle taxi that will bring you to the complex in 15 minutes.
How to get from Lima to Trujillo?
From Lima to Trujillo you can travel by bus or by plane. In the first case, the journey is 8 hours, while by air, it only takes one hour.
How to get to El Brujo Archaeological Complex from Trujillo?
Once in Trujillo you must take a bus to Chocope, which takes an hour to arrive. You can also go by taxi or private vehicle; the route is from Chocope to Magdalena de Cao and it takes 20 minutes. In the town of Magdalena de Cao continue for another 15 minutes by motorcycle taxi to El Brujo.
How to get there from Huanchaco?
If the route begins in Huanchaco, you must get a particular mobility or taxi, to Trujillo. The tour takes 40 minutes.
It can also be reached by bus. In this case, the journey from Huanchaco to Chocope takes one hour. From Chocope continue to Magdalena de Cao by bus, and then by motorcycle taxi to the archaeological complex.
How to get to El Brujo from Chiclayo?
It goes from Chiclayo to Chocope; The bus ride takes 3 hours. Then follow the same route described above from Chocope to Magdalena de Cao and from this town to the complex.
Hours and rates
Schedules
Monday to Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Everyday of the year
Except December 25 and January 1
Tickets
It includes the entrance to the Complex, to the Huaca Cao Viejo and to the Cao Museum.
- National / foreign adults: S/. 10.00
- Children and Schoolchildren: S/. 1.00
- Higher education students / Retired: S/. 5.00
- Over 60 years old / Military / Teachers / People with disabilities: S/. 5.00
Best Tours in Peru
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
- Salcantay Trek Peru to Machu Picchu 5 days
- Palcoyo Mountain Tour
- Cusco to Manu Tour
- Humantay Lake Day Trip
- Huchuy Qosqo Day Hike
- Half Day Cusco City Tour
- Llactapata Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- Qoyllur Riti Festival
- Apurimac River Rafting
- Vilcabamba Trek to Machu Picchu
- Inti Raymi and Machu Picchu Tour
- Salkantay Inca Trail Combo
- Waqrapukara Peru Full Day Tour
- Sacred Valley Bike Tour
- Honeymoon in Machu Picchu
- 1 Day Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu
- Sacred Valley Tours
- Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days
- Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu
- Short 2 Day Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu
- 2 Day Inca Trail with Camping
- 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek
- 4 Day Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu
- Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu
- Urubamba River Rafting
- 5 Days Salkantay Mountain Trek
- 3 Days Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
- Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu
- 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek
If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu Ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your Vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.
