2-Day Private Tour in Cajamarca: Cumbe Mayo & Rescue Room

Walk through three millennia of Peruvian history in two days

This 2-day private tour covers Cajamarca's most significant archaeological sites: Cumbe Mayo, a 3,000-year-old aqueduct and ceremonial complex; a 1,130-year-old Cajamarca culture cemetery; and the Rescue Room, where the Inca leader Atahualpa was held prisoner. Private transportation and accommodation in a 4-star downtown hotel are included. A live guide speaks English or Spanish.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: 3rd wonder in Peru

• Pick up from airport and transfer to hotel
• Visit Cumbe Mayo archaeological site
• Visit 1,130 years old cemetery

Day 2: City tours in Cajamarca

• City tour to rescue room where Atahualpa was imprisoned

The experience

You arrive at the airport and transfer directly to your hotel in downtown Cajamarca. On the first afternoon, you head to Cumbe Mayo, the third wonder of Peru, for a four-hour visit starting at 9am. The site spreads across an archaeological landscape built three thousand years ago: the aqueduct itself, ceremonial spaces, caves carved into the rock, petroglyphs, and massive stone formations shaped into recognizable figures. The scale and precision of the engineering work without modern tools becomes clear as you walk the site.

That same day you visit one of the 1,130-year-old cemeteries where the Cajamarca culture buried their dead and left ritual offerings. On day two, the city tour takes you to the Rescue Room: the actual stone chamber where Atahualpa, the last independent Inca ruler, was imprisoned. The room's history is stark: Atahualpa offered to fill it once with gold and twice with silver to buy his freedom, a ransom that was collected but his life was not spared. This is where he died.

The tour moves at a pace that lets you absorb each site without rushing through. You stay in a 4-star hotel downtown both nights, and your guide (speaking English or Spanish, whichever you prefer) travels with you the entire two days. Children from age 2 are welcome. Lunch and dinner are on your own, but the guide can point you toward local restaurants.

What’s included

• Private transportation throughout the two days.
• accommodation in a 4-star hotel in downtown Cajamarca for both nights.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• airport pickup and transfer to your hotel.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 09:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (19 to 65 years) · Youth (12 to 18 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (2 to 4 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Time To Travel

Is this one for you?Book this 2-day version if you want to cover Cumbe Mayo's aqueduct, Atahualpa's prison room, and the pre-Inca cemetery in one trip. Choose the 1-day option if you prefer fewer sites or a lighter pace.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 18 years); Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (2 to 4 years).

What exactly is Cumbe Mayo and why is it called the third wonder of Peru?

Cumbe Mayo is a 3,000-year-old archaeological complex featuring an aqueduct, ceremonial platforms, caves, and petroglyphs carved into the landscape. It ranks as Peru's third major wonder because of the scale of its pre-Incan engineering and the precision of its construction without modern tools.

How much time do I spend walking and exploring at each site?

Cumbe Mayo takes four hours, from 9am to 1pm, and you walk through the full archaeological site at a steady pace. The cemetery visit is shorter, and the Rescue Room tour in the city is a focused stop. The itinerary is designed for all fitness levels.

What happened in the Rescue Room, and why is it historically important?

The Rescue Room is where Inca leader Atahualpa was held prisoner after his capture. He famously offered to fill the room once with gold and twice with silver to secure his release. A ransom that was collected but his life was not spared. It is the actual location where he died, making it one of the most significant sites in Peruvian colonial history.

Are meals included, and where do I eat during the two days?

Meals are not included in the tour price. Your guide will recommend local restaurants in Cajamarca for lunch and dinner, and can help you choose based on what you want to eat.