Huanchaca

After the mega early start I mentioned in the last blog we arrived in Huachaca at about 6pm. Glad there aren’t too many days like that. Quite a bit further south the sea and the air temperature are not quite as warm at Punta Sal.

This is quite a Mecca for surfing too.

We’re here really to visit the pre Inca civilisation ancient city of Chan Chan. It was the capital of the Chimor empire from AD 900 to 1470. The Incas conquered them and ruled until the Spanish arrived in 1572.

We know so little of these people even though they were around for nearly 600 years and the Incas only 100.

About 5% of the city has been restored. There’s only between 5 and 11mm or rain here every year so most buildings didn’t have a roof and water was very precious. Wonderful geometric designs. You would not think these are around 1000 years old!

The reed boat fishermen are direct descendants of the Chimors, they are even smaller than the rest and much more stocky.

We did a bit of birthday celebrating in the evening. I don’t think the barman had been asked for 20 mojitos before!

Off to Huaraz tomorrow to climb up to Laguna 69.  If you want to see where we are on a map we’re the green truck. https://www.dragoman.com/overlanding/truck-tracker