Cusco

Peru's Hidden Gems

Beyond the famous trails, the Cusco region contains the salt evaporation ponds of Maras and the last remaining Inca grass rope bridge at Q'eswachaka, which is hand-woven annually. Explore the Temple of Wiracocha at Raqch'i and the remote ruins of Choquequirao, often called the sister city of Machu Picchu. The list includes Huchuy Cusco, a high-altitude site overlooking the Sacred Valley, and the artisanal market of Pisac, known for traditional Andean textiles and ceramics.

McKay Savage / CC BY 2.0

Pisac Market

In this beautiful Andean village, there is a small handicraft market in which you can buy souvenirs and typical Peruvian products.

ESkog / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Salinas of Maras

Maras is a town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, 40 kilometers north of Cusco, in the Cusco Region of Peru.

Antisoc1al / CC BY-SA 3.0

Q'eswachaka

The last remaining Inca rope bridge, hand-woven annually from grass fibers by local Quechua communities. Spanning the Apurímac River, this UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site follows ancient engineering techniques preserved for over five centuries.