Cajamarca Valley & San Nicolas Lagoon Tour: Detailed Review

So, you are considering a trip to Cajamarca, Peru and that, too, you are thinking of doing the Cajamarca Valley and San Nicolas Lagoon tour, is that right? Well, it’s almost certainly a splendid choice. Very many travelers, such as your good self, overlook Cajamarca, which is such a shame because the region has quite a bit to offer those wanting something off the typically beaten track in Peru. Let’s go over what makes this particular tour so interesting, alright?

What’s the Cajamarca Valley & Why Go?

Basically, the Cajamarca Valley, well it’s more or less a sizeable area of, uhm, fertile land that surrounds the town of Cajamarca. Typically, the valley is at its most stunning between the months of, say, March and October when everything tends to be super lush and vibrantly green. That said, the Valley carries a ton of historical importance. It’s arguably most famous as being the spot where the Incas’ Atahualpa met Francisco Pizarro back in 1532. Anyway, it went badly for Atahualpa. You, like your good self, might get the chance to see sites where key events linked to this encounter unfolded, in fact.

But what’s nice to see in the Valley, too? Well, there are sprawling farms that cover the landscape, small villages dot the place and it’s often the home of working haciendas that have, you know, stood the test of time. The vibe here is super different compared to some of the other tourist spots found around Peru. Basically, it gives one a real feel for authentic, day-to-day Peruvian life, almost. What a thrill.

The Allure of San Nicolas Lagoon

Then there’s the San Nicolas Lagoon. The Lagoon provides such a serene counterpoint to some of Cajamarca’s perhaps historically rich but maybe intense places. It’s quite often described as such a scenic body of water which tends to be cradled by hills; too, you often see that the lagoon offers excellent photo ops – especially that is so if you get there during, perhaps, sunrise or sunset. Many folk enjoy seeing the diverse birdlife here, which makes it more or less heaven for anyone interested in bird-watching, like your good self.

That said, if seeing birdies ain’t your thing, the lagoon has other attractions, too. In fact, local tour companies may provide boat rides so that you can basically fully absorb all of the views. Likewise, it’s also just a genuinely restful place for unwinding and disconnecting from the humdrum pressures of daily life; also, this is very true if you have already been backpacking through Peru. What could be better?

What to Expect on a Combined Tour

A joint tour of the Cajamarca Valley with San Nicolas Lagoon usually involves several distinct segments, typically. You can basically expect transportation that, you know, takes you from Cajamarca city to the valley’s different locations. These tours are often, if not usually, guided. So they bring additional, nice historical and cultural insights to each, any, spot you stop at. Arriving at the lagoon? It almost always comes with, you know, boat rides, plus lots of opportunities for hiking around. Lunch comes as a fairly typical part of the day as well, with local restaurants that are such a great spot to savor, like, classic Cajamarcan meals.

That’s important though! What these tours consist of might change quite a lot according to which provider you decide to use. Therefore it’s always worthwhile, just, you know, double-checking all of the inclusions, any exclusions plus of course how long everything will last before deciding, that is so you can opt for something which suits you best.

Reviews & Recommendations: Making the Most of Your Visit

Most people who did the tour tend to stress just how lovely both spots can be. You can also find many rave views regarding how educated tour guides tend to be and just how nicely organised things can be, naturally. Anyway, common suggestions usually encourage everyone to wear comfortable walking shoes. They would also tell you to put on loads of sunblock, arguably, so you’re ready for such intense sunlight. That and basically to pack water plus snacks, perhaps. And one shouldn’t just simply forget that it tends to get fairly chilly, more or less once the sun sets either! What else can one do in the region?

• Research tour operators: See their credibility is really there.
• Book in advance: Especially needed, like your good self, might find this if wanting to travel in high season, frankly.
• Check weather conditions: This makes certain you dress properly.
• Bring a camera: Loads of memorable moments just screaming out for you to capture, perhaps.
• Engage with the local culture: Give your whole travel adventure further enrichment and really open up things to you; anyway, that tends to be super true in Cajamarca in general!

Is This Tour Right for You?

Deciding on whether such tour types are quite up to you boils right down to your individual travel preferences plus just how interesting, perhaps, you might well see visiting cultural or just stunning locations. Folks which may well take such trips would maybe be those that have interests regarding culture. And such outdoors folk might find something really fascinating there. The physically active or just casual photographers can find much, much to admire as they spend the days moving throughout and, say, documenting things throughout Cajamarca.

Still the altitude may pose real challenges for a few tourists, it’s fair to say; it means, very, very careful planning needs arranging from the get-go, is that not right? Consider basically consulting with the trip people on whether all, every arrangement they offer really suits certain physical demands. This makes very certain everyone’s really fully appreciating how enjoyable the whole adventure really will get during one’s expedition round Cajamarca, you might believe. Golly, you must prepare!

Frequently Asked Questions