Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Transportes Rojas
( 97-617-1144; Grau 135)
has buses to Cajamarca (S10, 4½
hours) at 3am, 5am, 8:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm and 4pm.
Transportes Horna
(
55-1132; Grau 136)
has a daily Cajamarca bus (S10, 4½ hours) at 8am as well as 8am and
1:30pm departures to Huamachuco (S10, three hours).
Los Andes
( 31-5138; Martínez
152)
also goes to Huamachuco 10 times a day (S10, 2½ hours).
MARCAHUAMACHUCO
The massive ruins of the pre-Inca mountain fort of
Marcahuamachuco
(admission free)
are situated 10km outside
Huamachuco via a track passable only by 4WD or truck. This 2.5km-long site dates from around 400 BC and has
tall defensive perimeter walls and interesting circular structures of varying sizes. Marcahuamachuco culture seems
to have developed independently of surrounding civilizations of the time. A taxi from Huamachuco can reach within
5km of the site in the dry season (S12), but you'll have to hike along the dirt road the rest of the way. Bring all ne-
cessary food and drink with you.
Hostal Colonial
( 51-1101; Castilla 347; s/d S35/60, tr without bathroom S45; )
, in a pleasant colonial-
style house (no surprises there), is the best place to stay and has a good restaurant downstairs.
Transportes Horna
( 44-0016; Carrion 1101)
has a 4:30pm departure to Cajamarca and multiple daily de-
partures to Trujillo (S25, six hours).
Transportes Los Andes
( 44-1555; Pasaje Hospital 109)
has 10 depar-
tures per day to Cajabamba, where you can switch for additional Cajamarca buses. There are at least three
colectivo
taxis daily to Otuzco, which leave when full from near the plaza (S10, four hours).
Celendín
076 / POP 16,600 / ELEV 2625M
Easily reached by a partly unpaved road from Cajamarca, Celendín itself is a delightfully
sleepy little town that receives few travelers except for those taking the wild and scenic
route to Chachapoyas. Celendín is particularly known for high-quality straw hats, which
can be bought at its interesting Sunday market. It's an ideal place to observe traditional
highland life and interact with local indigenous people, who will certainly take an interest
in your unexpected visit.
There's a
Banco de la Nación
(Calle 2 de Mayo 530)
here that has a Visa/Plus ATM.
The annual fiesta of
La Virgen del Carmen
goes from July 1 to August 6, but the best
