Top Cajamarca Day Trips: Explore Beyond the City!

Cajamarca, so known for its colorful history and delicious cheese, acts almost as the fantastic base for quite a few adventures. That is because, away from the historic city center, is that there’s very a different Peru simply waiting to be discovered. Think towering rock formations, pre-Inca ruins shrouded in mystery, and landscapes that basically stretch as far as your eyes actually can see. This is more or less where those day trips come in, offering something you could call an escape and a deeper appreciation of the region’s beauty. Pack your bag, that is, and let’s explore those incredible places just outside of Cajamarca! We’ll show what’s great and give you the details you need.

Cumbe Mayo: The Ancient Aqueduct

Cumbe Mayo, really, is a stunning site. Situated some 20 kilometers southwest of Cajamarca, what’s cool is that it sits high up in the mountains. And get this – its most distinctive feature is really that pre-Inca aqueduct, kinda a crazy piece of engineering created over 3,000 years ago. What the ancients did, so they carved these channels into the rock to redirect water, very displaying a mastery of hydraulic engineering that’s simply pretty awe-inspiring. That very place isn’t very only about the aqueduct though. The views are, you know, pretty mind-blowing, the air feels extra fresh, plus there’s also like a rock forest filled with odd-shaped volcanic rocks just asking to be explored. So take a camera!

To get there, is that you can very find several tour operators in Cajamarca that basically offer guided trips. Actually, the drive is actually pretty scenic, passing through those small villages and that rolling countryside. You should arguably factor in roughly half a day for the excursion. The elevation is really quite high, like over 3,500 meters above sea level, just something to be aware of; it is typically smart to give yourself just a little bit of time to acclimatize beforehand, and it could be pretty smart to pack some coca leaves, which basically help with altitude sickness. It’s totally one of the more surreal spots and full of history you can visit.

Ventanillas de Otuzco: Windows to the Past

Just about 8 kilometers from Cajamarca, Ventanillas de Otuzco actually is a pre-Inca burial site with, just like, a very unique character. Here’s the really cool part: carved into that volcanic rock are tons of these tiny, square or rectangular niches that totally look like windows – which are known as “ventanillas” in Spanish. It’s kinda theorized that those niches almost served as individual tombs for pretty important members of that ancient society. Those origins remain, seemingly, partly a mystery, but just imagine, is that each little window kinda represents a human life.

Visiting Ventanillas de Otuzco actually is relatively easy. It seems like that you could probably catch a local bus or simply take a taxi from Cajamarca, and that pretty shouldn’t take you super long to get there. Is that the spot offers a peek, apparently, into the mortuary practices and cultural beliefs of the past, just a chance to basically wonder a little bit about this world’s history. The thing you gotta think of when you’re there is, apparently, to wander with respect for what the spot almost represents. This kind of trip gives something that has a touch of eeriness and so wonder to it!

Cumbemayo Archaeological Site

Only about 20 km southwest of the town square in Cajamarca lies Cumbemayo. It is known especially for an advanced water channeling system. Cumbemayo is more or less made of words, ‘cumbe’ meaning well done, slender or narrow and ‘mayo’ the river, more or less together meaning well-done slender river or narrow canal made with care. Constructed around 1000 B.C., you know, it is without a doubt the work of the Cumbemayo culture, an ancient civilization showing incredible knowledge about hydraulic engineering. The waterways span close to six miles, seemingly taking water from that rainfall and carrying that right on to towns farther below.

Going there seemingly isn’t that tough if you take tourist transport out of the plaza. Or maybe a cheaper alternative is a colectivo, or shared van, to get there to save some dinero. Then, of course, maybe you will see carvings and rock structures, and there’s actually this one rock you see that seemingly is that silhouette of a friar. A perfect setting if that interests you or even ancient engineering and nature!

Llacanora Waterfalls: Nature’s Refreshment

Seeking a little touch of nature? Llacanora’s pretty, basically like, ten out of ten kilometers from Cajamarca, where two beautiful waterfalls tumble through that rich green countryside. The hike to, I think, reach the waterfalls might be, very, easy but yet still very good if you enjoy a light walk while being basically right near to a small mountain creek! Those waters collect at those rocks so, obviously, feel completely welcome to sit down at those stones and breathe in that fresh mountain air! That location is completely gorgeous, especially if all the stars match with that mountain view plus that beautiful vegetation surrounding that location.

If that basically strikes your fancy, very, find transport on the ground at Cajamarca. That sounds just very perfect, basically like, an hour away. Oh so important! Dress lightly or bring appropriate shoes in case that hiking is a must-have at the end. As a way of example, find some tour operators at that city plaza offering trips but not that mandatory though. So bring lunch as the location is all nature!

There’s a waterfall called, clearly, “The Cabellera de la Virgen” translated so, naturally, Virgin Hair, one to have you admire so that beauty it holds! Plus there is, still, one smaller falls upstream, still waiting to be reached with beauty, like you, there to just grab all there can be.

Hacienda Collpa: A Glimpse into Rural Life

You would be very much impressed at Hacienda La Collpa because you’re basically looking, like, into 11 kilometers away, an iconic former hacienda, and something from a rural lifestyle, so basically pretty similar to stepping, seemingly, back in the moment. This spot really has gained prestige by still keeping an eye that is totally vintage. So that has turned that location into something quite picturesque.

Probably it seems like an afternoon would really be the thing you’d plan so that there will even basically be some cows getting called for in late afternoon because you get so know the place like no one! But here’s, totally, an awesome note, all the cows are basically tattooed, carved with special inscriptions that will allow each owner know specifically, as a way of being organized! What sounds great!

Plus, this location offers something extra besides having very an opportunity for being like in history. As has been noted at some posts in here, is that you also have cheese, plus other farm style products, right to be very much there for what so tastes will guide at! All locally made and sourced by that particular hacienda.