Cajamarca & Cumbemayo Tour: Honest Review & Helpful Tips

Visiting Cajamarca, a spot that’s absolutely soaked in Peruvian history and breathtaking landscapes? The “From Cajamarca Guided Visit to the Cumbemayo Stone Forest with Pickup” tour is quite the popular choice, and so I wanted to share, very candidly, my thoughts and a few useful suggestions, stuff that may just assist in ensuring your trip is as amazing as can be. Like, you want to go prepared, that’s pretty standard, right?

What Exactly is Cumbemayo? Why should you go?

Right, so what’s Cumbemayo all about? To be honest, it’s way more than just a bunch of rocks! Cumbemayo is actually an archaeological spot sitting pretty high up in the Andes. This spot boasts some crazy rock formations—nicknamed the “stone forest”—and even more amazing, pre-Inca water channels. People are still trying to nail down exactly when these channels got built, yet it’s often guessed to be around 1500 BC! Can you imagine that? So, too this location shows just how seriously ancient cultures regarded water management, it almost served like an ancient engineering wonder.

For those who love history or those of us who can really geek out on geology, or anybody just chasing awesome scenery, Cumbemayo’s got plenty of appeal. You’re seeing stuff made thousands of years ago sitting smack-dab in the heart of some seriously stunning natural scenery. You feel like you are being thrown into some ancient tale as you start exploring every turn!

Booking the Tour: A very Straightforward Process

Okay, so booking my tour, I’ll be upfront, too it was actually really easy. Like, there’s loads of tour companies around Cajamarca offering similar deals, but I ended up choosing one with very good online reviews and because their site was pretty simple. I mean nobody likes a website with a horrible layout! What I did appreciate that there were various options regarding times to visit and sometimes extra perks such as catered lunches (which I thought to myself; that will save me some stress!).

Just a suggestion: check what the tour involves. Does that tour, for instance, include entry costs? So, too does it handle meals? It’s worth figuring this out ahead of time so you do not have additional unplanned charges. Additionally, when it’s possible to book a bit ahead— especially during top tourist times—that might just keep you from missing out.

Pickup and Transportation: Making things quite Simple

Pickup straight from the hotel—yes, please! Pickup was punctual, that for me is always great start. Now, that ride up to Cumbemayo? It’s not necessarily short. As I was looking out of the window, the scenery was great. The roads tend to be a bit bumpy, that’s something to know. I mean it is a mountain drive! Anyway, just think of that drive as part of the tour itself.

That said, maybe pop something for motion sickness just in case, very especially when winding roads affect you a little. Typically, it’s the little additions that might make or break this trip.

The Guided Visit: Stories and History

Right, so here’s where the tour may really take off or fall short. I can gladly say the guide I had was amazing! They knew so much concerning Cumbemayo’s story, from the old cultures to just how the spot was used way back then. Too it was cool understanding more of the how and why things ended up being crafted; those channels are pretty darn impressive the more you start thinking!

And so, the pace may be quite relaxed, with many stops to admire and snap photos—you definitely want your cam ready!. Depending on the guide, you are looking at anything from light hiking up to much more walking at different elevations. And so put on suitable shoes!

The way guides deal with visitors varies. Some people prefer that the guide be super enthusiastic, giving you detailed details; others favor more time simply checking things independently. So, that would really make a big impact in your enjoyment!.

What to Really Expect from Cumbemayo Stone Forest

When you picture the spot, anticipate unique, tall stone structures popping out from the field like that of a surreal scene. You’ll get a chance, too, to stroll through the ancient water channels—seriously, check the craft involved here! Yet remember that at 11,000 ft. up, the air may be thin; take it a little slower, mainly when you are not quite used to the elevation. Bring water; altitude sickness is something to take seriously!

The weather’s another aspect. So, too when Cajamarca itself seems quite pleasant, Cumbemayo is capable of doing its thing with rain or fog rapidly. So pack layers simply so you can tweak what you are wearing as needed. If it gets bright, some sunblock and that hat is a smart thing!

Photo Opportunities: Very, Very picture perfect!

Basically, everywhere here seems like the ideal shot. So too these rock formations? Magnificent. Those expansive landscapes? Amazing! When possible, think about going nearer either dawn or dusk, yet that is when the lighting turns a simple photo into anything remarkable. So, that said, mid-day provides clear skies yet those stark shadows may change photos from awesome into ordinary pretty quick.

Oh, here is a tip: Go wander. Get off the typical path slightly for some unique viewpoints. Also too remember it is not necessarily just concerning big scenes; close-ups from the stone patterns, unusual vegetation all can make seriously cool details.

Food and Drink: Preparing Your Body!

Too, it depends on the tour. It can be anything from straightforward to nothing included. So when food isn’t provided, maybe bring treats, that helps whenever those blood sugar level dips arrive, you know? Concerning nearby eats surrounding Cumbemayo, there aren’t loads to select from directly nearby so prepping in Cajamarca is clever.

Also, try some area staples when you are back; Cajamarca excels at milk products and local meats that deliver real taste.

Things I really Liked

• Knowledgeable Guides: A skilled guide really does make any location come live. So, it may just change the experience completely.
• Convenient Pickup: Door-to-door makes mornings super easier.
• Incredible Scenery: Like; those landscapes are totally worth traveling.

Stuff that I think Might Need a Little work

• Road Quality: That drive is bumpy; it could affect those very susceptible to motion discomfort.
• Weather Changes: Bundle up or bring layers! That shift may turn pretty rapidly.

Is this Tour Worthwhile? My very own Honest Opinion

So, would I suggest that tour? Yes. Mainly when you would like a blend of history blended and scenic appeal without arranging the small things such as transport. So, too always tweak details which range from bringing enough snacks up to confirming precisely what your guide includes making this excursion quite memorable! Just keep mindful of both height together with climate therefore you are totally set.

Tips for a Great Cumbemayo Experience:

• Wear Layers: Mountain temperatures tend to be unstable. Being equipped is quite vital.
• Wear decent footwear: Walking involved here may mean excellent grips work much better compared to fashionable looks
• Take it Easy with Altitude: Whenever adapting proves hard go at a pace that will help prevent major discomforts..
• Carry water: Always! That’s totally self explanatory.
• Have Sun Protection: Sun block really becomes essential higher upward.
• Camera Fully Charged: Missed photo ops really feel awful when these spots are extremely photo worthy!.

Doing all this may lead directly towards something spectacular over anything barely good!

FAQs Concerning Going To Cumbemayo

Should I be Booking tours beforehand for visiting Cumbemayo Stone Woodland?

It definitely may! Top spots fill somewhat easily specifically during any holidays/peak schedule moments booking forward often secures which often you access dates suited most effective

Just how long shall a normal Trip here be?

The actual tours are inclined span everywhere around Four up-to Five or maybe Six hours in most from commencing with end including the transfer included giving sufficient periods simultaneously guided together stroll moments close/around regions targeted.

Just how difficult genuinely will it hike / check points surrounding spots like Cumbemayo typically?

Consider various landscapes involving various smaller altitude distinctions so good physical fitness thresholds really might enhance travels much smoother compared to if starting point generally dormant. Wearing supporting walking helps vastly by providing grip stability where that seems especially expected/helpful based at instances