Cajamarca, Colonial Syncretism - Private tour

Explore Cajamarca, the scene of the last beats of the Inca Empire, which will catch you with its mysterious charm and fantastic history that come together to create an unforgettable experience. In this impressive region, you will find a magnificent colonial architecture, colourful villages and exquisite cuisine.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Cajamarca: discover this historic city in the northern Peruvian Andes, and the site of the encounter between the Inca Empire and the Spanish conquistadors. Visit its colonial architecture while enjoying breathtaking mountain landscapes and a rich ancestral heritage.

Cumbemayo: a complex of singular beauty, integrated by three archaeological groups known as "the aqueduct", "the sanctuary" and "the caves", surrounded by an interesting forest of stones that resemble the silhouettes of pious friars.

Otuzco Windows: this pre-Inca cemetery is a group of crypts carved in stone of volcanic origin. They were designed in consecutive rows that represent the social structure of the town

Day 1: ARRIVAL CAJAMARCA (5km – 10min)

Arrive at Cajamarca Airport and enjoy a comfortable transfer to your selected hotel. A representative will accompany you, offering useful information about the city attractions and assisting you along the way. Check in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day free at leisure. 

Overnight in Cajamarca.

Day 2: CAJAMARCA

Breakfast at the hotel and a free morning. At around 2:00 pm, you will start your tour at Santa Apolonia Hill, from whose summit you can enjoy a beautiful view of the entire city. As you walk around the site, you will see remains of Chavín culture buildings and the famous Inca Chair, a structure formed by two stone blocks emerging from the hill. You will then visit the Belén Monumental Complex, including the former Hospital of Men and the former Hospital of Women. The tour continues with a visit to the Rescue Room, the only remaining Inca structure in Cajamarca. It was here that the Inca Atahualpa was held captive by Spanish forces for eight months. Although his ransom, gold equal to the volume of the room and twice that amount in silver, was paid in full, the conquerors ultimately proceeded with his execution in the Main Square. You will also visit the exterior of the Church of San Francisco and the Main Square, an area of great historical importance as the meeting point between the Spanish conquerors and the Incas. Here you can see the Cathedral, with its distinctive Plateresque-style volcanic stone façade. After the walk, you will return to the hotel to rest. In the late afternoon, transportation will pick you up to take you to the Inca’s Baths, a complex of hot springs where the Inca once rested. It is believed that at the height of the empire, this site was a stately residence surrounded by trees and springs – a luxury spa for the elite. After the tour, return to your hotel.

Overnight in Cajamarca.

Day 3: CAJAMARCA

Breakfast at the hotel followed by pick-up at around 08:30 am. Today you will visit the Cumbemayo complex, which brings together three archaeological groups known as 'the aqueduct', 'the sanctuary' and 'the caves', surrounded by a majestic stone forest. 'The aqueduct' is an open channel in the nine-kilometre volcanic rock and was intended to derive the waters to the city of Cajamarca. For its part, 'the sanctuary' is a cliff with the appearance of a human head, whose mouth is a crack in low relief with engravings. When walking through 'the caves' of the place, you can see some drawn lines and other anthropomorphic and feline figures. At the end of the tour, you will return to your hotel. In the afternoon, transportation will pick you up at around 02:00 pm to go to the Otuzco Windows, a cemetery belonging to the Cajamarca culture that dates from the first centuries after Christ. There you can see a series of rectangular niches carved in a solid block of rock that can reach up to 10 meters deep. It’s believed that the bodies were buried first in the ground and, after a while, some bones and skulls were moved to the windows. Return to the hotel in the afternoon.

Overnight in Cajamarca.

Day 4: DEPARTURE CAJAMARCA (5km – 10min)

Breakfast at the hotel. Your representative will assist you with check out and accompany you on the short transfer to Cajamarca’s airport.

Comfortable and light clothing is recommended for visiting the coastal areas of Peru, while for the high Andean area the use of warm clothing is recommended. It is not recommended that visitors wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or short clothes when visiting religious temples or official buildings. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.