Cajamarca: The Twilight of an Empire

Cajamarca: The Twilight of an Empire

Cajamarca was marked in history as the city of rescue. In it, the Spanish captured the last Inca, Atahualpa, who offered a room full of gold and two silver for his release. The promise was fulfilled and even so the Spaniards executed it, officially beginning the conquest of the Inca empire.

Cajamarca keeps, in addition to the weight of history, unique attractions: can you imagine a stable where the cows are called by name to be milked... and they respond? Or a carnival party full of color and joy, held for 4 consecutive days?

Cajamarca, capital of the Peruvian Carnival.

Discover it yourself!

Cajamarca: these are the destinations that should not be missed on your visit to northern Peru

In the northern highlands of Peru, the city of the Peruvian carnival is located, a place full of history, culture and impressive landscapes. The department of Cajamarca stands out for its folklore and tourist attractions, in addition to its impressive natural views.

Cajamarca is a historical region and one of the most beautiful in Peru. It is where, in fact, our world history begins, in the clash of two worlds, which generated the Peru that we know today. Learn about its history, its attractions and the 5 must-see places in this region. We tell you everything.

How many days are ideal to make a tour in Cajamarca?

According to various travel websites, the ideal visit to Cajamarca is 5 days and 4 nights. There is a lot to do and to be able to see everything, it is important to do at least one city tour that includes churches, museums, the Ransom Room and the Santa Apolonia hill, also known as Silla del Inca. It is also worth visiting Huambocancha, Granja Porcón, Cutervo National Park, Cumbemayo, Ventanillas de Otuzco, Tres Molinos, the Alps, Hacienda la Collpa, Llacanora and the Baños del Inca.

Next, the 5 unmissable places in Cajamarca.

The Windows of Otuzco

The Ventanillas de Otuzco are a set of funerary buildings that are located at 2,650 meters above sea level. They have a particular architecture that presents hundreds of windows and individual funerary niches similar to windows, drilled in rock of volcanic origin that reach between 8 and 10 meters deep. Its entrances are rectangular or quadrangular, with a height of 50 to 60 centimeters. This archaeological site would be a cemetery belonging to the Cajamarca culture (200 AD - 800 AD), the same one that had the ritual of burying their dead in niches excavated in rock at the top of the ravines in the area.

Cutervo National Park

The Cutervo National Park, considered the First National Park of Peru, was established in 1961 and expanded in 2006. It is located in the area called Cordillera de los Tarros, in the province of Cutervo (Cajamarca), and has an extension of more of 8 thousand hectares that house a great variety of flora and fauna with almost unique species. The Park is located at an altitude between 2,200 and 2,500 meters above sea level, with a predominantly humid to semi-cold climate, with temporary rains between October and March. The main objective of the Cutervo National Park is the protection of flora and fauna, as well as the conservation of the scenic beauty of the Cordillera de los Tarros, a priority area for the conservation of biological diversity in Peru and for the conservation of mammals.

Rescue room of the Inca Atahualpa

It is located in the historic center of the city of Cajamarca, next to the San Francisco church, along with the Inca pool or Inca baths. It is the only relic of the Inca era, since the rest were destroyed. The room is the place where the Inca Atahualpa offered a room full of gold and two of silver as a ransom to regain his freedom. In this room the Inca Atahualpa was imprisoned for 8 months and 10 days in 1532. On the walls there is a line that indicates the height to where he promised to fill the room with gold. Most travelers always raise their arm to see how high they would fill the place.

Cumbemayo and the Frailones

Located around 20 kilometers from the city of Cajamarca at 3,500 meters above sea level, Los Frailones is a forest of stone rocks that give the impression of people in procession. In addition, the way the rocks are eroded form caves, arches, elevations, abysses and strange figures. A couple of kilometers away you will reach the pre-Hispanic channel of Cumbemayo, an admirable engineering work. On the way to Cumbemayo, you can see the pre-Inca mines of Lanzón. The route is incredible and wonderful, especially for lovers of ecotourism and trekking.

Inca Baths

In the Baños del Inca district, 6 kilometers from the city of Cajamarca (northern highlands of Peru) and at 2,680 meters above sea level, is the Baños del Inca Tourist Complex that has thermal waters with temperatures above 70 ° C (158 ° F) .

The minerals that make up these waters have therapeutic properties that can be used to treat bone conditions, the nervous system, the dermis, and it is even said that it can help reduce or cure gastritis. Likewise, there are testimonials from visitors who claim to have been cured of illnesses and disorders such as rheumatism, bronchitis and anxiety.

The complex has four sections divided into: 58 individual pools for tourists, 35 rooms with collective pools, an imperial section with 19 pools and 19 compartments with shower services.

What places can you visit in Cajamarca in 2 and 3 days?

However, if you have part time, the essential places are those in the city itself. We recommend visiting the historic Plaza de Cajamarca, the Cathedral with its impressive façade carved in volcanic rock, the San Francisco church, the Chapel of the Virgen de los Dolores, the Belén Monumental Complex, the Rescue Room, the Santa Apolonia Viewpoint and the "Inca's Chair".

You can also visit the former La Collpa hacienda and its livestock facilities, where the tradition is to call the cows by their name to milk them, the District of Llacanora and its waterfalls and the Inca Baths. The latter have shower service, collective pools, individual pools; sauna with hot springs and medicinal herbs.

What to do in Cajamarca at night?

At night, Cajamarca offers a nightlife that includes bars like the USHA USHA "Unique and Inimitable". There is also Sepia777, a small bar with live music, McCuy's and Arlequin bars, with a good atmosphere and close to the square, as well as Lollipop, the only gay nightclub in Cajamarca.
As you can see, this region has a lot to offer you, both to discover and to have fun. Do you dare to include it in your next trip?

Other tourist places in Cajamarca

Known for its euphoric dances to the sound of the Peruvian carnival, Cajamarca never ceases to amaze every tourist who chooses it as their next adventure destination. It keeps among its valleys, beautiful landscapes that leave more than one with the desire to return and explore beyond the obvious.

Cajamarca Main Square

Located in the heart of the city, this square is considered the most important in South America, due to the history that frames its floors. In this space, the Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro captured the Inca Atahualpa, beginning the Spanish conquest.

In the surroundings of this square plaza, you can see the cathedral, the temple of San Francisco, the Municipality and beautiful colonial mansions, highlighting in the central part a beautiful stone pool made in the 17th century.

The viewpoint of Santa Apolonia

The Santa Apolonia hill is located in the highest part of the city, three blocks from the Plaza de Armas. Among its slopes, an archaeological investigation is currently being carried out that all tourists can witness on their way to the viewpoint, located on the top of the hill.

In the viewpoint, beautiful staircases, gardens and a chapel dedicated to the Virgin of Fátima stand out. In addition, at the summit you can see the famous "Silla del Inca", formed by two stone blocks. All visitors must pay S / 1.00 to enter this natural viewpoint.

The Church of Bethlehem

Between the shreds of Belén and Junín, just two blocks from the Plaza de Armas, you can find the Belén Monumental Complex, made up of the Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum, the Medical Museum and the Belén Church. The latter is the most representative church of colonial art and the most beautiful architecture of Cajamarca.

The interior of this enclosure, built in 1672, is covered with gold leaf and the pulpit is carved in wood. The museums within this complex house the history of the first settlers, as well as their adopted customs. The entrance ticket can be purchased for a single payment of 5 soles.

Sanctuary Virgin of the Rosary of Polloc

The attraction, located in the district of La Encañada, 34 km. of the city of Cajamarca, frames each one of its walls, columns, ceilings and floors, under the mosaic technique. With its construction started in 2007, and completed 7 years later, this complex houses a temple, a beautiful sanctuary with carved wooden balconies and a water grotto, among other beautiful spaces.

Likewise, within its facilities they have workshops where children and young people learn the art of wood carving, weaving, sewing, mosaic and stained glass techniques, carpentry, among others.

Namora

The town of Namora is known for being guitar manufacturers, located just 30 minutes from Cajamarca, the cradle of musical instrument manufacturers welcomes tourists with open arms and willing to teach the process of creating a guitar. On its way through the tracks, you can see different workshops where the master craftsmen do not stop their art of manufacturing.

San Nicolas Lagoon

The largest lagoon in Cajamarca is located within the town of Namora, where totora raft rides turn out to be the perfect attraction for visitors. 50 minutes from the city, this beautiful place offers an impressive flora, surrounded by aquatic plants and with a spectacular view, where its blue sky stands out.