Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum, Lambayeque Region, Peru

5Internationalgray 5:00 PM Sep 6, 2013

A must for northern Peru
This really is a world-class museum. Not only for the quality of the exhibits but also for the context that they give to support your understanding of them and the use of light and space in the building (the pieces are bright and detailed and nothing is crammed too close together). Alongside beautifully restored artifacts there are photographs and diagrams showing the pieces as they were found and precise diorama reproductions of the individual tombs so you can see how the pieces looked when they were first revealed or how they looked when the individual was first entombed. It's not mandatory to have a guide so you can walk at your own pace to enjoy the museum if you'd rather. About 10% of the supporting text for the exhibits is in English although if you're travelling on a budget you don't really need a guide to understand the rest (30 soles for a English speaking guide) as a lot of the story is self-explanatory and the illustrations, models and dioramas will help a lot. To get here on public transport from Chiclayo walk to the corner of San Jose and Avenida Angemos, you'll see lots of collectivo companies (and will hear them shouting 'Lambayeque'). It's 1.50 soles to get there and they can drop you off at the end of the road that the museum is on. To return walk back to the same junction you were dropped at and on the opposite side of the road will be waiting collectivos.

5Claudia M 5:00 PM Jul 5, 2017

Amazing museum
The museum is mind-blowing, so many incredible objects! If you go on your own, get a guide at the museum, so much to see and talk about. I came with a tour from Chiclayo (Colonial Tours, very good company), we first visited the actual site where the tombs were discovered, then the onsite museum and after lunch came to Tumbas Reales. This day was awesome, full of history and stories, a full picture of the amazing Moche culture, totally recommend that. In case you consider also seeing the places/museum of the Sican culture, it is not as splendid as the Sipan/Tumbas Reales so if you don't have time, don't miss Tumbas Reales.