Perou Decouverte
Perou Decouverte
In the heart of a desert landscape dotted with cultivated oases, less than an hour’s drive from Chiclayo, stands one of the most striking archaeological legacies of pre-Inca civilizations. Túcume is not an isolated site, but a true sacred city spread over 220 hectares, concentrating the highest density of monumental adobe structures in all of South America.
What visitors see today—imposing hills with rounded shapes softened by erosion—actually conceals the sophisticated architecture of a center of power that dominated the La Leche Valley for nearly five centuries. The site is organized around Cerro La Raya, a sacred rocky elevation, and bears witness to a perfect integration between human achievement and the natural environment.
26 Pyramids
Adobe brick structures
El Purgatorio Viewpoint
Panoramic view
Lambayeque Civilizations
Sicán & Chimú
Site Museum
Artifacts & History
The history of Túcume is that of a succession of Andean cultures that chose this strategic location to establish their power. Founded around the 11th century by the Lambayeque culture (also known as Sicán), the site is closely linked to their mythology. According to a legend recorded by Spanish chroniclers, it was established by Naymlap, a civilizing hero who arrived from the sea with his court.
After nearly four centuries of Lambayeque dominance, Túcume was incorporated into the Chimú empire around 1370, and then conquered by the Incas a century later. Each conquest left its architectural and cultural imprint, making Túcume a unique archaeological palimpsest. The site remained active until the first contacts with the Spanish in the 1530s.
1000 – 1370 AD
Apogee under the Lambayeque/Sicán culture. Construction of the main pyramids.
1370 – 1470
Integration into the Chimú empire. Architectural modifications.
1470 – 1532
Inca occupation and adaptation. Terraces on Cerro La Raya.
From 1532 onward
Gradual abandonment after the Spanish conquest.
Modern archaeological research began in the 20th century, but it was from the 1990s onward, under the impetus of explorer Thor Heyerdahl, that systematic excavations were undertaken. This work notably led to the creation of the Túcume Site Museum, which preserves and displays artifacts discovered during the excavations.
Visiting Túcume follows two main circuits, each offering a different perspective on this exceptional complex. Unlike other archaeological sites, the experience at Túcume combines immersion in a monumental landscape with the discovery of well-preserved architectural details.
The must-see experience at Túcume is the ascent of Cerro La Raya, better known as the El Purgatorio Viewpoint. From the summit of this sacred hill, you will enjoy a 360° view over the entire complex. It is the only place where one can truly grasp the scale of the 26 pyramids and their organization around the mountain.
Although most pyramids are not accessible for conservation reasons, some structures have been partially restored and deserve special attention. Here are the 6 most significant pyramids in the Valley.
The largest adobe structure in Peru (700m × 280m). Visible from the viewpoint, it shows three distinct construction phases (Lambayeque, Chimú, Inca).
Center of political power with a 100m access ramp. Residence of Lambayeque and later Inca elites. Partially excavated.
The only fully roofed and visitable temple. Exceptional frescoes depicting navigation and the myth of Naymlap. Accessible via Circuit A.
Small ceremonial temple containing a sacred stone from Cerro La Raya. Site of offerings and sacrifices (including Inca Capac Cocha sacrifices).
Pyramid notable for its construction system using wooden posts (estacas) visible in its structure. Evidence of Lambayeque architectural techniques.
Nicknamed the “painted pyramid” for the remains of polychrome frescoes that once adorned its walls. An illustration of Lambayeque decorative art.
💡 Good to know: These pyramids are truncated structures (stacked platforms) rather than pointed like Egyptian pyramids. Their current rounded shape is due to erosion caused by El Niño rains.
Opened in 2014, the Túcume Site Museum is the ideal starting point for your visit. Designed with the support of explorer Thor Heyerdahl, it presents the history of the site and the cultures that succeeded one another in a clear and educational way.
🎭 Site Model
An essential 3D reconstruction to visualize the original scale of the pyramids.
⚱️ Lambayeque Artifacts
Ceramics, textiles, and metal objects from archaeological excavations.
🛍️ Handicraft Shop
Local products made from native Peruvian cotton (beige, brown, or natural green cotton).
The Túcume site is integrated into a particularly rich tropical dry forest ecosystem. The visit therefore offers a dual experience: archaeological and natural.
The site and its surroundings are a paradise for birdwatching. Among the most frequently observed species:
The path leading to Huaca Las Balsas crosses a preserved area of algarrobo forest (Prosopis pallida), an emblematic tree of Peru’s northern coast.
💡 Good to know
In the immediate vicinity lies the Bosque de Pomac National Reserve, the largest algarrobo forest in the world, ideal for extending your visit into nature.
Plan your visit to Túcume taking into account the essential information below. Located near Chiclayo, the site is easily accessible but requires some preparation to fully enjoy the experience.
📍 Address: Campiña Nancolan, 33 km from Chiclayo, Lambayeque
🏔️ Altitude: 43 meters
🚗 Parking: Free at the entrance
Days: Tuesday to Sunday
Hours: 9:00 - 16:30
Last entry recommended at 16:00
Route A
North Zone: Museum + Sendero Educativo + Vivero + Huaca I + Mirador
Route B
South Zone: Museum + Pueblito de Niños + Huaca Las Balsas
Route Integral
Complete: Route A + Route B
Routes A and B:
Route Integral:
💡 50% discounts for: +60 years, military personnel, disabled persons, teachers.
Single circuit
Route A or Route B
Complete visit
Route Integral (A+B)
In-depth visit
With breaks and detailed observation
Morning (9am-11am): Best light, less heat
Closure: Monday (weekly closing day)
Payment: Cash recommended (Peruvian soles)
The Túcume site offers basic but essential services for your comfort. Note that it is an archaeological site in a rural area, so amenities are limited.
Located in the museum. Offers textiles made from native Peruvian cotton (naturally beige, brown or green cotton), local souvenirs, and artifact reproductions.
Available at the site entrance, near the museum and ticket office. Clean but basic. None along the circuit paths.
Drinking water point at the entrance. No café/restaurant on site. Bring enough water (minimum 1.5L per person) and snacks.
Informative ticket office at the entrance. Local guides sometimes available (mainly Spanish). Explanatory panels in Spanish and English in the museum.
As services are limited, it is recommended to bring everything you need (water, food, sun protection) from Chiclayo or Lambayeque. Purchases at the craft shop directly support the local community.
✅ To Bring
Water (minimum 1.5L/person), energy snacks, dried fruits
❌ To Avoid
No restaurant on site. Meals to plan before/after the visit
Túcume is a fragile archaeological site. Please respect these rules:
Advantages:
Recommended if:
Advantages:
How to organize:
"Túcume is not just another archaeological site in Peru; it's a total immersion into the soul of pre-Inca civilizations, where each pyramid tells a story, each path leads to a discovery, and each view from the mirador leaves an indelible memory."
🏆 Unique Experience
Largest adobe complex in America
📸 Panoramic Views
Breathtaking mirador
🎭 Living History
Three superimposed civilizations
The Lambayeque region is one of the richest in Peru in archaeological terms. Combined with other major sites, Túcume becomes the highlight of an exceptional circuit through the history of northern coastal civilizations.
In Lambayeque. Considered one of the best museums in America. Houses the treasures of the Lord of Sipán.
In Sipán. The discovery site of the Mochica royal tombs. See ongoing excavations and ceremonial architecture.
The pinnacle of Lambayeque culture. 26 pyramids, panoramic mirador and modern museum.
Dry forest of algarrobo trees + Sicán site. Former Lambayeque capital before Túcume. Excellent for bird watching.
May to November: Dry season, pleasant temperatures (20-28°C).
December to April: Possible intense heat or rains (El Niño phenomenon).
🎯 Ideal period
June to September: clear skies, perfect temperature
Mobile network: Variable coverage (better at the entrance).
Wi-Fi: Not available on site.
GPS: Works well to get there.
💡 Tip
Download important information before the visit
Between desert and blue sky, the 26 pyramids of Túcume continue to tell the fascinating story of the Lambayeque, Chimú and Inca civilizations. An extraordinary site that deserves a place in any trip to northern Peru.
