Cajamarca is located in the northern highlands of Peru and is the capital of the Cajamarca region. It is approximately 2,700 m (8,900 ft) above sea level. Cajamarca has an equatorial climate so it is mild, dry and sunny, which creates very fertile soil. The city is well-known for its cheeses and dairy products. Cajamarca is also known for its churches, hot springs, and Inca Baths. Most of all Peruvians remember Cajamarca as the place where the Inca Empire came to an end, captured by conquistador Francisco Pizarro ; the Battle of Cajamarca and the capture and execution of the Incan emperor Atahualpa took place here.

Touristic interest:

The Cajamarca Cathedral or Matriz Santa Catalina Church. It was constructed in the XVII century and shows an abstentious facade of volcanic stone. It has five bells in its unfinished towers, founded in the beginning of the XVIII century; in the ships you can admire the images of the Virgin del Carmen, Señor de la Buena Muerte, Santa Rosa de Lima and San Martin de Porres.

The San Francisco Church. This is where is located the "Ransom Room" where the Inca Atahualpa was held captive by Spanish conquistadors.

Cumbe Mayo. It is located about 12 miles southwest of the Peruvian city of Cajamarca, at an elevation of approximately 11,000 feet (3,300 meters). The location is best known for the ruins of a Pre-Columbian aqueduct stretching approximately five miles in length. The aqueduct collected water from the Atlantic watershed and redirected it on its way to the Pacific Ocean. It is thought to have been constructed around 1500 B.C. and was once thought to be the oldest existing man-made structure in South America. The name Cumbe Mayo may be derived from a Quechua phrase, kumpi mayu, meaning “well-made water channel,” or humpi mayo, meaning “thin river.” There are a number of petroglyphs on the aqueduct and surrounding caverns. This remote mountainous region is also the location of a "stone forest" composed of natural volcanic rocks which have been shaped by erosion. These formations of volcanic rock are also known as Los Frailones, or the Stone Monks.

Kuntur Wasi (House of the condor in Quechua). It is the name given to ruins of a religious center with complex architecture and stone sculptures, located in the Andean highlands of Peru. It is believed the inhabitants had a link with Chavin culture. Kuntur Wasi is located in the Northern Mountain Range of Peru, specifically at the headwaters of the Jequetepeque River, in the region of the city of Cajamarca near the small town of San Pablo. The Jequetepeque valley provided a transportation corridor between the coastal region and the highlands. Kuntur Wasi was a center where people congregated. Kuntur Wasi is thought to have been constructed around 1000-700 B.C, during the Initial Period. The architecture consists of a hill-top temple, quadrangular platforms, a sunken courtyard, and series of rooms. In the floor of one room there is an anthropomorphic figure made of clay, about 30 inches (75 cm) in height. It is painted with cinnabar red, malachite green, and black, yellow, and pink. Its face has big square eyes and a wide mouth with prominent canine teeth. There are also stepped platforms and funeral structures. Lithosculptures have been found, similar to the Chavín style. Kuntur Wasi was occupied between the years 1200-50 BC. Kuntur Wasi was first discovered in 1945 by Julio C. Tello. In 1989, scientists from the University of Tokyo excavated four tombs at Kutur Wasi. Valuable items, such as pectoral necklaces (decorative breastplates), gold crowns, ornamental stone beads, earrings, sets of dishes and iconographies of people were discovered in the burial area. Since the beginning of the University of Tokyo’s archaeological mission, eight tombs have been found in the area. The Kuntur Wasi museum, managed by local citizens, opened in 1994.

Granja Porcón. It is a working farm and woodland area not far from Cajamarca. A visit to a ranch is a good way to see local farming practices and this is generally regarded as the best in the area. There is also a small animal sanctuary on the property, with a variety of local animals. The most important part of the Ganja Porcón is the 10,000 hectare forest area. The trees here are not indigenous to the region but were planted for their value in the paper and furniture industries. Nonetheless, this is an effort in the direction of reforestation. Day trips to the Granja Porcón usually involve a walk through the forest and a visit to the animal sanctuary. It is also possible to stay here at the hostel in newly built cabins with fireplaces. There is an onsite restaurant as well.

Los Baños del Inca. The “Incan Baths”, which is a source of thermal and medicinal waters considered as one of the most important in the northern zone of the country, used from pre-Hispanic times. Its water sprout raising steam columns in an almost horizontal terrain surrounded by a grand quantity of vegetation. Its most important springs are: “The Perolitos” and “The Tragadero”.