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Discover the secrets of the Kuntur Wasi Pre-Hispanic Ceremonial Center and admire its magnificent buildings, monoliths, and gold jewelry in its on-site museum.

Highlights

• Discover the architecture, art, and metallurgy of a pre-Hispanic ceremonial center.
• Marvel at the gold objects on display in the museum.
• Small group tour.
• Pick-up at your accommodation to start the tour.

Description

We will pick you up at your accommodation to begin the trip to the Kuntur Wasi Archaeological Complex, located on the hill 'La Copa' in the province of San Pablo, 93 km from the city of Cajamarca. The name Kuntur Wasi (Temple or House of the Condor) was given by Peruvian archaeologist Julio C. Tello in 1946. After a 1 hour and 45 minute drive, we will arrive at the archaeological complex and begin the tour, observing the representations of condors that can be seen in the stone sculptures found at the site. It covers an area of approximately 800 by 500 meters. We will also see six stone sculptures representing human beings with feline attributes that were found in 1948, as well as a cemetery on the slopes of the hill where people of high status were buried. Then we will visit the Site Museum, where we will see the gold objects found at the site. Did you know that a Japanese mission led by Yoshio Onuki has carried out the most important work since 1988? In 1993, seven burials of high-ranking individuals were found, believed to have been made before the central platform of the Kuntur Wasi phase was built. Dr. Yoshio Onuki suggests that the tombs correspond to the reburial of people who died on the coast. Three statues found by the Japanese have been added to the six monoliths found in the 1940s. The statues represent supernatural beings: feline men with loincloths held in place by a string. The metal samples uncovered by Yoshio Onuki (1995) have been assigned to the Kuntur Wasi phase. The pieces are similar to those found at the Chongoyape archaeological site (Chiclayo), Both samples are the oldest examples of Peruvian metallurgy. The techniques used were basically limited to rolling the raw material and embossing. Thin sheets of gold were bent until the desired sculptural figure was achieved, and then the edges of the sheets were soldered using techniques such as amalgamation. After visiting Kuntur Wasi, we will return to Cajamarca, stopping in the town of San Pablo for lunch (at the passenger's expense). Approximately 5:00 p.m., arrival in Cajamarca and return to the accommodation.

Includes

Hotel pickup and drop-off service Transportation Cajamarca - Kuntur Wasi - Cajamarca Tour guide Entrance

Important Information

• The child rate applies when two adults are booked. Children who do not pay travel on their parents' lap and are their responsibility. The activity is conducted with a tour guide in Spanish or English (choose the option). Spanish tour guide option: On the transfer from Cajamarca to San Pablo and back, you will be accompanied by the driver-guide. Upon arrival at Kuntur Wasi, a site guide will be waiting to take you on the tour. English tour guide option: The guide will accompany you from the beginning to the end of the activity.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund