Cajamarca
(2.720 meters) above sea level |
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Map of Cajamarca |
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History, Carnivals and Wildlife
CIt boasts magnificent colonial architecture like the Cathedral and the churches of San Francisco, Belén and Recoleta. This is a land of history with places like the Baños del Inca (Inca Baths), the Ventanillas de Otuzco and Cumbemayo.
It’s a bucolic nature destination like the La Colpa Estate and Porcón Farm. A colorful region that every year, in February and March, is dominated by carnivals.
- Location: Highlands of northern Peru, bordering Ecuador.
- Size: 33,318 Km2 (13,057 sq. miles).
Routes & length of stay
3 Days(minimum |
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Recommended for Cajamarca
- History and archeology buffs, who will love the visit to the Ventanillas of Otuzco, a burial site on a cliff face, as well as the mysterious Cumbemayo canals and the Ransom Room.
- Religious tourism enthusiasts, who need to tour the Cathedral and the Bethlehem church.
- Agrotourism enthusiasts, who will find farms in the communities of Sulluscocha and Chagmapampa, where the people welcome visitors to stay in homes that have been adequately prepared for such purposes.
- Bird watchers, who must make their way to the Sangal Canyon (just 9 miles from the city), where they can catch glimpses of goldfinches, thrushes, sparrows, eagles and especially the endangered hummingbird species called the Grey-bellied Comet (Taphrolesbia griseiventris).
- Trekkers and hikers, who have plenty of routes to choose from among the ancient paths built by the Incas. We recommend taking the one connecting the towns of Jesús and Llacanora.
- Nature lovers, who should definitely go to Porcón farm and check out the vicuñas and deer living in the midst of a pine forest haven.
- Relaxation and health fanatics, who can experience the uniqueness of the Baños del Inca (Baths of the Inca).
What to buy?
When it comes to handicrafts in Cajamarca, local artisans work in many different styles, like traditional backstrap weaving or callua (in Porcón and San Miguel), which is used to make blankets, ponchos, shawls, bags, sashes and saddle bags, or the famous hat making from Celendín and Bambamarca, the cotton fabrics made in Chota, stone carving in Huambocancha, and ceramic making in Mollepata, Shundal and Cruz Blanca.
What to eat?
The best cattle in the country graze on the emerald fields of Cajamarca, reason why the best cheeses are also found here, which form the base of fabulous foods like the humita de queso (corn roll stuffed with cheese) and the tangy green soup or chowder. Restaurants in the city offer a fine choice of grilled meats and sausages and, to a lesser degree, international cuisine and seafood (trout is abundant).
Typical dishes Cajamarca
- Blancmange: This sweet is known in Peru as dulce de leche, it is a traditional dessert that is made from cow’s milk, cinnamon, sugar and cornstarch. There are variants of rice, potatoes, lima beans, lucuma, cherimoya, chocolate, quinoa, etc. In Latin America there are various types of blancmange, and each has a distinctive taste which makes a distinction between them.
- Spicy fried potato with cuy: This dish is full of nutritious food products. Also called guinea pig guinea pig is seasoned with oil, garlic, salt, pepper, crushed red pepper sauce and cumin to taste. It is served with a stew of potatoes, seasoned with red pepper sauce, peanuts, pepper and salt. It offers a Creole sauce served with chopped onion and hot pepper seasoned in lemon. Cajamarca is a real feast, the guinea pig in one of its best expressions, a delight.
- Chicharrón with mote: The crackling is a fried pork skin with or without fat, in Peru should be crisp and very brown. In the Andean regions are ponds to brown the pork in its own fat. In Cajamarca he is seasoned only with salt and pepper, to take its own natural flavor of pork. It served with boiled potatoes and mote. He eats accompanied by chicha or chicha.
El Cuarto de Rescate – Cajamarca
Located: in the property No. 750 Jirón Amalia Puga 50 meters from the Plaza de Armas. This is an impression that there is the Inca Empire and is the symbol of the encounter between two cultures. This fourth...
Bethlehem Church (Iglesia de Belén)-Cajamarca
Cajamarca Located: between Bethlehem and the shreds Junín It was built of stone quarry carved by hand, during the eighteenth century. It consists of a single nave; it is the most representative of colonial baroque art and the most beautiful...
Santa Apolonia natural viewpoint
Visiting Hours: Mon – Sun 7.30 am – 6.00 pm. Location: In the upper part of the city. The main entrance is on Jr. Dos de Mayo, two blocks from Plaza de Armas. Santa Apolonia mountain, formerly called «Rumi...
La Recoleta Monument Complex
Visiting Hours: Mon – Sun 8.00 am – 12.00 pm and 4.00 pm – 8.00 pm. Location: Crossroads of Ave. El Maestro and Ave. Los Héroes. Complex comprising the church and convent, both constructed in the second half of...
Belén Monument Complex
Visiting Hours: Tue – Sat 9.00 am – 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm – 6.00 pm / Sun 9.00 am – 1.00 pm. Closed on Mondays. Location: Jr. Belén Block. 6. Architectural complex from the 18th century, which comprises...
San Francisco Church (previously “San Antonio”)
Visiting Hours: Mon – Fri 9.00 am – 12.00 pm and 4.00 pm – 6.00 pm. Location: Jr. Dos de Mayo w/o No. Built in 1699 with stones taken from the «Casa de la Sierpe» (House of the Snake),...
Cajamarca Cathedral or Santa Catalina Mother Church (Cajamarca)
Visiting Hours: Mon – Sun 8.00 am – 11.00 am and 6.00 pm – 9.00 pm. Location: Jr. Cruz de Piedra w/o No, Plaza de Armas. The Royal Decree of December 26, 1665 ordered the establishment of a Spanish...
INCA BATHS (BAÑOS DEL INCA)
Cajamarca Visiting Hours: Daytime.Location: 6 km east of the city of Cajamarca at an altitude of 2,667 m.s.n.m. The place is considered the capital of the thermal baths of Peru. By having the first source cited in the story. The...
Cutervo National Park (Cutervo)
Visiting Hours: Daytime. Location: 260 km north of Cajamarca (14 hours 30 minutes by car). Home to flora and fauna indigenous to the Los Tarros Mountain Range. A wildlife haven for jaguars, tigrillos, spectacled bears, and otters, among other...
Ventanillas (small windows) de Otuzco
Visiting Hours: Mon – Sun 9.00 am – 5.00 pm. Location: 8 km north-west of Cajamarca (10 minutes by car). The Otuzco necropolis is commonly known as the «Windows of Otuzco» because of its peculiar appearance – rows of...
Cumbemayo Archaeological Complex
Visiting Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9.00 am – 1.00 pm. Location: 20 km south-west of Cajamarca (45 minutes by car). Discovered in 1937, it is surrounded by an interesting forest of stones that seem to mimic the silhouettes of...
Hacienda La Colpa (Farm)
Visiting Hours: Daytime. Location: 11 km from Cajamarca (15 minutes by car). Dedicated to the raising of cattle and milk production. Famous for the «calling of the cows,» which obediently occupy places bearing their own names, in order to...
Porcón Farm (Atahualpa Jerusalén Agricultural Cooperative)
Visiting Hours: The farm is always open for those looking for accommodation, but the farm buildings can only be visited during the day. Location: 30 km north of Cajamarca (1 hour by car). The cooperative decided to open its...
Saint John the Baptist Feast -Cajamarca
Cajamarca Begins: June-24 Ends: June-24 Religious activities and social and artisanal exhibitions are held in honour of the patron saint, John the Baptist feast.
Lord of Huamantanga -Cajamarca
Begins: September -23Ends: September -25 Among the events taking place are different competitions, highlighting the election of Miss Fair Huamantanga Lord of National Integration, in addition to the powers of national and Latin American dances, pageants and parades folkloric dishes...
Porcon Crosses (Cruces de Porcón)
Begins: 01-February Ends: 30-April Immense reed and palm crosses parade through the Porcon Valley for this festival. They are all decorated with oval and round mirrors (representing the souls of the dead), and bear images of the Virgin Mary, the Heart...
Cajamarca FONGAL Fair (Feria FONGAL de Cajamarca)
Begins: 24-July Ends: 31-July Exhibition and selling of livestock, agro-industrial products, handicrafts and more. There is also a Peruvian Paso horse contest and Marinera dancing competition.
Cajamarca Carnival (canaval de cajamarca)
Begins: 01-February Ends: 18-February It is one of the most important celebrations of the region. All neighbourhoods get ready to participate in contests where music and dance prevail. Cajamarca inhabitants organize a parade and residents walk with Rey Momo, while patrol...
