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A historical passage around Cajamarca traversing the transition from the first cultures to inhabit the region to the current residents, on the way passing through the Incan and Spanish Colonial periods.

The experience includes a long hike along sections of the renowned Inca Trail (Camino del Inca) that run near Cajamarca, finishing with a luxurious massage and the curative waters of the Laguna Seca hot springs. These are the fabled hot springs used by the Incan emperors during their days of repose in the Cajamarca region.

Day 01: Pre-Incan epoch

Arrival in Cajamarca and transfer to Hotel Laguna Seca.

Cumbemayo

The renowned site of Cumbemayo is located less than 10 miles outside of the city of Cajamarca, but at an altitude almost 2300 feet higher (11500 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, 8530 feet, and over 18300 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. Lunch in a fine restaurant in the city center.

Otuzco

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.

Day 02: Incan epoch

Morning at leisure

Inca trail to San Nicolas 

In the afternoon we will have a hike of about 9 miles leads us to the peasant community of San Nicolas, located by a beautiful lake. During the hike we will have the chance to experience the daily way of living of the local people, we will meet them working in their crop fields, or herding the cattle.

We'll spend the night in a comfortable rural lodge by the Lake San Nicolas. This lodge is managed by a local family who is open to share with us their traditional way of life. Dinner at the lodge.

Day 03: Incan epoch, the Coyor fortress

After a typical breakfast we will start a 6 miles hike following and ancient trail to the village of Namora. On the way we will visit the remains of the Coyor fortress, This was the last Caxamarcan military fortress that resisted the invasion of the Inca empire. After the fall of Coyor the Incas took control of the valley of Cajamarca.

Our hike ends in the typical small village of Namora, then drive to Baños del Inca for lunch.We'll end the journey with a relaxing massage at the hotel’s spa.

Day 04: Fall of the Inca empire, colonial epoch

The Ransom Room

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. This small enclosure served as the cell where the Spanish kept prisoner the Inca Emperor Atahualpa, and was the storage room for the gold and silver treasures offered by the Incas in exchange for his freedom, after they offered to fill it once with gold and twice with silver. Perhaps more importantly, it represents the physical location of 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.

City tour
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 San Francisco), 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.

Lunch in the city center. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 05: Cajamarca - Lima

Morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Lima.

Includes:

Private transportation for all tours and transfers

English speaking guide

One night in lodge San Nicolás, with dinner and breakfast

All passes / entrance tickets

Meals as indicated in the program

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