Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Around Cajamarca
Places of interest around Cajamarca can be reached by public transportation, on foot, by
taxi or with a guided tour. Tour agencies pool their clients to form a group for any trip, al-
though more expensive individual outings can be arranged.
LOS BAÑOS DEL INCA
Atahualpa was camped by these natural
hot springs
( 5am-8pm)
when Pizarro arrived,
hence the name. Now you can take a dip in the same pools that an Inca king used to bathe
his war wounds - though the pools have probably been cleaned since then. Set around
flourishing grounds with sculpted shrubbery, this attractive compound has hot water
channeled into private cubicles (S4 to S6 per 30 minutes), some large enough for up to six
people at a time. Dip into the public pool (S3), which is cleaned on Monday and Friday;
steam rooms and massages are available for S10 and S20 each. This place gets hundreds
of visitors daily, so it's best to come in the morning to avoid the rush. There's a
Complejo
Recreativo
(admission S1; 8am-8pm)
opposite the main bath complex that has swim-
ming pools, a children's playground and 'waterslides of the Incas,' which are a big hit
with kids, but were indefinitely closed for renovation when we were soaking. The
baños
(baths) are 6km from Cajamarca and have a few hotel possibilities (
Click here
)
.
Combis
for Los Baños del Inca (S1, 25 minutes) leave from Sabogal in Cajamarca; or take an or-
ganized tour from Cajamarca (S15). Bring your own towel as none are provided, though
you may purchase one from a few entrepreneurial vendors. Afterwards, pop across the
street for a sweet cool down at Heladería Holanda (
Click here
)
.
CUMBE MAYO
About 20km southwest of Cajamarca, Cumbe Mayo (derived from the Quechua
kumpi
mayo,
meaning 'well-made water channel') is an astounding feat of pre-Inca engineering.
These perfectly smooth aqueducts were carved around 2000 years ago and zigzag at right
angles for 9km, all for a purpose that is as yet unclear, since Cajamarca has an abundant
water supply. Other rock formations are carved to look like altars and thrones. Nearby
caves contain
petroglyphs
, including some that resemble wooly mammoths. The coun-
tryside is high, windswept and slightly eerie. Superstitious stories are told about the area's
eroded rock formations, which look like groups of shrouded mountain climbers.
The site can be reached on foot via a signed road from Cerro Santa Apolonia in Ca-
jamarca. The walk takes about four hours if you take the obvious shortcuts and ask every
passerby for directions. Guided bus tours (between S20 and S25) are offered by tour com-
