The complex is divided into nine to ten, originally independent districts, which were successively ruled by successive rulers. The tombs found in the various districts, filled with jewelery, precious ceramics and dozens of skeletons of young women testify to a cult worship of these leaders.
Protection for buildings in Chan ChanStar one of the so-called Chimor rulers, his successor did not move into the already existing magnificent buildings of his predecessor. Instead, they were sealed along with all the graves (and most likely, the surviving elite were killed before). The new monarch had to build his own quarter for himself and his entire administration. The result is the various complexes that give Chan Chan his idiosyncratic architectural structure.
The Tschudi area (named after the Swiss researcher Johann Jakob von Tschudi) has been artfully restored and made accessible to the visitors throughout the course.
Here you can admire some of the preserved ballrooms up close. For a long time, a special glaze made from distilled water and cactus juice (an ancient Chimú recipe) was enough to preserve the remaining clay constructions in order to protect them from destruction. In 1998, the El Nino phenomenon became so pronounced that steel scaffolding was built around the hall ruins to protect it from erosion.
Travel and guided tours in Chan Chan
For the first visit the booking of a tour of the terrain is recommended. Otherwise, many beautiful spots remain undiscovered and you spend too much time walking along washed-out mud walls that are not really fascinating. Between the individual areas, taxis also drive back and forth, which are very reasonably priced. Also, not all segments are accessible for tourist visits.
If you are interested in the craftsmanship of the people of Chan Chan, you should plan a visit to the small Chan Chan Museum. There is a collection of famous pottery works and some exhibits on the history of the city. Two other attractions are the “Huaca Arco Iris” (Rainbow Temple), named after the arched, beautifully restored frescoes on its sides, as well as the platform-made “Huaca Esmeralda”, which is still waiting for its restoration.
The entrance tickets available at the entrance cover all these attractions, are valid for two days and only cost a few euros. To get to the entrance from Trujillo, take the local buses called “Combis”, which run every fifteen minutes.
Within the complex, a number of leaders are waiting to show you the complex for about five dollars an hour. However, you can already book an organized tour in Trujillo, which includes the transport, but not the entrance fee.
Climate and temperatures
Chan Chan is warm to hot all year round. The coolest months are from June to September with a minimum temperature of 24 degrees. Due to the coastal location, the precipitation in Chan Chan is very low.