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City Tour (CJA H100)
The city of Cajamarca offers its visitors
lovely churches, representing diverse religious orders, built during the
part of the colonial era from the 17th century through middle of the 18th.
Visitors can appreciate the Church of San Antonio de Padua (also known
as the San Francisco Church), the Santa Catalina Church, or the Cathedral
of Cajamarca. The Belen (Bethlehem) Monument Complex, which includes the
Church of Our lady of Piety, is quite possibly the most interesting example
of Cajamarcan architecture to be found, with its carved rock expression
of the fusion of the Andean and Spanish cultures.
The Cuarto del Rescate, or Ransom Room, is the last vestige of Inca influence
that has been preserved in Cajamarca, but is nonetheless one of the most
important archeological treasures in northern Peru. True, this small enclosure
served physically as the storage room for the gold and silver treasures
offered by the Incas in exchange for the freedom of their Emperor, the
Inca Atahualpa. But in the larger sense, it represents the end of one
of the most important and distinct cultural epochs in human history, and
the beginning of the colonization and cultural transformation of Peru.
(3h)
Otuzco
& Tres Molinos (CJA H101)
The Ventanillas de Otuzco are a pre-Incan cemetery complex located only
5 miles to the east of Cajamarca in the small town of Otuzco. With a
total of 337 funerary niches, or mini burial cavities, carved out of
solid rock, the complex was utilized by the ancient population of the
valley of Cajamarca. Its construction dates from approximately 50 b.c.,
and the complex was utilized until 1450 a.c. (3h)
Collpa
(CJA H102)
A half-day visit to former colonial ranch "La Colpa" to enjoy
the cajamarcan countryside and watch the very special "cow calling"
when the ranchers call the cows by their particular name like "Rosita"
or "Maria" in order to put them together to milk them. (3h)
Cumbemayo
Ruins (CJA H103)
The renowned site of Cumbemayo is located less than 10 miles outside
the city of Cajamarca, but at an altitude almost 2500 feet higher (11450
feet above sea level). The site is framed by an unusual and picturesque
landscape which includes an eerily beautiful rock formation known as
"The Friars".
The relic is considered one of the most noteworthy and probably the
oldest waterworks in all the Andes, whose principal objective was to
transport water from the Pacific watershed to the Atlantic watershed
by crossing the continental divide, which runs through the mountains
above Cajamarca.
The waterworks are divided into three sections of canals, of 2800 feet,
8500 feet, and over 18500 feet in length respectively. The canals, carved
out of solid rock without the benefit of hard metal tools, display almost
perfectly flat and straight canal walls and base, with 90 degree angles
joining the two. There are also numerous baffles, or mechanisms comprised
of multiple 90 degree changes in direction of the water, designed to
diminish the water's speed as it passed through the transport system.
The Cumbemayo waterworks are estimated to be over 3500 years old. (3h)
Inka Baths (CJA H104)
These hot springs of mineral water with a maximum temperature of 72ºC
(158ºF), possess therapeutic properties for the treatment of bone
and nervous system disorders. Originally called Pultamarca, it is here,
supposedly, that Atahualpa was resting just before the confrontation
with Pizarro. (2h)
Combayo
Ruins
a three-hour drive from Cajamarca to the colonial town of Combayo, set
out on the best-preserved section of Inca highway near Cajamarca. First
stop is Ventanillas de Combayo, a larger and more remote example of
the cliff tombs at Ventanillas de Otuzco. The 10-km day hike includes
dramatic rock formations, rickety log bridges, and several homestays.
But the highlight is Cañon Sangal, formed by two thin rock ridges punctured
by the Río Chonta. (3h)
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