|
|
|
Destination ~ Cajamarca
|
 |
The Mystery Of The Incas And The Mystique Of The Mountains
Cajamarca
lies at 2,650 meters situated in the Andean Highlands, 180
km inland from the coast and has a population of 160,000.
The
area is mainly agricultural and is famous for its cheeses.Colonial
buildings including the Cathedral and the lovely San Francisco
Church encircle the Plaza de Armas. |
Plaza
de Armas
|
In
the centre of the Plaza de Armas is an imposing stone fountain
and the gardens are renown for their topiary, making this
one of the most attractive Plaza de Armas in Peru. |
|
Historical Importance
| Cajamarca
is the place where the Inca Empire came to an end with the
arrest and eventual execution of the Emperor Atahuallpa.Francisco
Pizarro had sent a messenger to the Inca camp at Baños
inviting Atahuallpa to meet in the Plaza de Armas. The
priest gave Atahuallpa a bible but having no knowledge of
Christianity he threw it on the floor.
The
priest called him a devil and ordered the troops to attack.
It was here that one of the biggest massacres in history
took place, the Incas were no match for the Spanish troops
who seemed like Gods on horses and clothed with heavy armor.
After
his arrest the Spanish asked for one room of gold and two
rooms of silver as a ransom for his release. The gold and
silver was brought from the far corners of the Empire and
filled the two rooms. Fearing Atahuallpa's power, and afraid
of rebellion, the conquistadors garroted him after he had
been baptised and renamed Francisco. |
Typical street vendor in Cajamarca |
Climate
 |
As can be seen by these charts, the temperature
remains constant during the year, however night temperatures
can fall to freezing during the dry season. During the wet
season it rains heavily but not everyday or all day.
|
Excursions
From Cajamarca
City Tour
The
tour of the city takes in such sites as the Plaza de Armas,
the Cathedral, the San Fransisco Church, The Ransom Rooms,
the Church and museum of Belen, and The Mount of Santa Apolonia.
The tour of the city includes a visit to an exhibition of
ceramic products made locally from the local clay using
traditional methods and natural dyes. This can be taken
as an optional tour, or you may take it at your leisure
in your own time. |
Baños del Inca
The
wonderful thermal baths of Baños del Inca are the
most famous in all of Peru and is the place where Atahuallpa,
the last Inca Emperor, encamped with his army at the time
of his arrest. Today, the site offers a variety of buildings
for bathing, facilities for saunas, swimming and an unusual
heated boating lake. We strongly recommend that you take
the opportunity to enjoy these invigorating thermal baths.
|
|
Ventanillas de Otuzco
 |
Situated
seven and a half kilometres from the city of Cajamarca are
the burial chambers that are a testimony of a culture lost
to this area. The cliffside windows are carved into volcanic
rock leaving behind a mystery of how an ancient Indian culture
managed to construct the chambers using only primitive tools.
This area offers an excellent photographic opportunity so
stock up on film before setting out! |
Cumbemayo
|
Twenty
kilometres south west from the city of Cajamarca with an
altitude of 3,400 metres stand the impressive standing stones,
often referred to as monks, can be found a precision irrigation
ditch carved into the rock that still today marvels hydraulic
engineers. The ditch was made to re-channel water from one
side of the mountain that receives a greater amount of rainfall
leaving fresh running water constantly on the dry side.
It takes approximately an hour and a half to reach the site
on an unmade road, which affords spectacular views of Cajamarca
in the valley.
|
|
Porcon
 |
The
road to Porcon passes through the stone carvers' village
where generations of families have passed down their craft
and can be seen today producing finely detailed carvings
using rock retrieved from the rivers. This offers an excellent
opportunity of viewing the work and purchasing a unique
quality souvenir at a very affordable price. As we climb
higher towards Porcon, the views become even more spectacular.
Porcon is a religious self-contained community open for
visitors, and is particularly famous for the traditional
Peruvian delicacy of cuy (guinea pig). There is a small
zoo, restaurant and a lake that offers the opportunity of
fishing. |
Tres Molinas
This
excursion offers an excellent opportunity to visit a working
dairy that provides a fine array of cheeses and dairy products.
Here it is possible to relax and enjoy a tasting session
of the many different flavours of cheese and biscuits produced
on the farm. |
Return to Destinations
|
|
|
