Cusco is known as the navel of the world and the "Rome of America" is also Peru's main tourist destination and its "historical capital"; and today, it is the protagonist of this blog. Read on to discover the must-see destinations in your adventure in Cusco!   

The Sacred Valley

Legend has it that there was a territory rich in agricultural land called the Sacred Valley.  Here you will discover archaeological wonders and the Andean people of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Dare to visit the three important archaeological complexes: Tipon, the center of Pikillacta and the church of Andahuaylillas.  The Sacred Valley tour is characterized by combining beautiful natural landscapes and Inca architecture in Tipon, as well as pre-Inca Wari architecture in Pikillacta.  A visit to the beautiful Chapel known as the "Sistine Chapel of America" is a must; without forgetting the rich gastronomy that can be tasted in Saylla, Huasao. Another unmissable stop is the southern area of the city of Cusco, which is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and also has lagoons or wetlands in the area, such as Huasao and Huacarpay. It is an indispensable tour to learn about Peruvian culture, history, traditions and much more. Click here to book now!  Travel tip: You can take advantage and try local dishes such as Tocto or chicharrón along the way.  
The Sacred Valley of the Incas, in the Peruvian Andes is composed of numerous rivers; it has many archaeological monuments / Photo:  alessandro_pinto.

Palccoyo: The Mountain of Colors

This gift of nature, little explored, has a total of 9 hectares and beautiful mountains full of color. Palccoyo is located at an altitude of 4,900 m.a.s.l. and is just a few meters from the Nevado Ausangate, which belongs to the imposing Cordillera of the Peruvian Andes. The colorful mountains of Paccoyo were once covered with snow. Due to global warming, the thaw has left them uncovered. Palccoyo, the rainbow mountain, is one of the favorite routes when choosing short treks in Cusco, due to the small number of tourists, for those who want to take their time and immortalize their visit with the best photo.  And you, are you ready to do this hike? Click here to book this tour to Palccoyo, not to be missed!  
This fantastic place is surrounded by an incomparable natural beauty, the Rainbow Mountain is inhabited by: Llamas, alpacas, vizcachas, condors and more / Photo: HatogKroller
  Travel tip: The climate of Palccoyo is frigid, due to the proximity to the Ausangate snow-capped peak, the temperature can drop to -0ºC, you can take advantage of the view of this frigid place to take the best pictures, since the slopes are covered by snow from April to July.  

Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain

The Rainbow Mountain is one of the most important tourist attractions of Cusco, it is also known as the Mountain of the 7 colors.  Passing by the summit of the Rainbow Mountain is a mandatory stop on the excursions to Ausangate, a sacred mountain for the Cusco culture. This incredible excursion will take you on a hike to discover its slopes and peaks, accompanied by a bilingual guide who will show you how the colors and shades of this particular Peruvian tourist attraction originated millions of years ago.  This palette, which is similar to a rainbow, is not by chance, in fact it is due to the different mineral components of the soil. For example, greenish tones imply the presence of iron, magnesium and copper oxide; yellows highlight sulfur; whites are formed by quartz sand and limestone rock; and reds are composed of clay and argillites (mica and quartz rocks).  
With its exuberant beauty, Vinicunca is one of the favorite destinations for mountaineering enthusiasts / Photo:  View Apart
  Book now our tour to Rainbow Mountain. Click here! Travel tip: Cusco is one of the few places in the world where you can see vicuñas in the wild.  

Maras and Moray

If you want to learn more about the Inca Empire during your next vacation, there are two unmissable places that you must visit on your trip to Cusco; they can not miss in your itinerary: the salt mines of Maras and the Andenerías of Moray. Meet the salt mines of Maras, where you can capture incredible photographs of the landscape and buy the best souvenirs, and then visit the circular terraces of Moray, which is considered one of the Inca agricultural experimentation centers. In this tour with Daytours4u, we will take you through some of the most emblematic places of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here you will discover all the magic of Cusco on the roads of Chinchero, the agricultural terraces of Moray and the salt mines of Maras, all made with ancestral techniques.  For more info, click here Travel tip: The whole set of salt wells offer one of the most beautiful landscapes of the Cusco region. Many tourists like to take pictures there.  
Las Salineras de Maras is one of the few places in the world where the famous 'pink salt' is produced / Photo: eddyjohnstone's Images
 

Humantay Lagoon

Dare to know the imposing landscapes and crystalline lagoons that surround the majestic Peruvian Andes Mountains.  This full-day trekking tour to the Humantay Lagoon will take you to live an unforgettable adventure.  The Humantay Lagoon is a relatively small lagoon, but what makes this body of water popular is that, on very sunny days, visitors can appreciate an impressive turquoise color. This lagoon is 100% glacial in origin. The lagoon is the product of the melting of two snow-capped mountains, Humantay and Salkantay. From the highest point, you can admire the impressive turquoise color of the lagoon and the dazzling landscape that perfectly combines the mountain with the glacier.  Please note: 
  • You are not allowed to take a dip in the lagoon waters in any way.
  • We recommend that you visit on a sunny day when the colors become more vivid. When it rains or there is fog, the lake tends to lose its turquoise color.
  • There are horse/mule rentals just for the climb.
  • Hiking to Humantay Lake is like any other high-altitude trek, so it is essential to be well prepared.
  Travel tip: If possible, hike up to the viewpoint on the left side of the lagoon, walk up there and you won't regret it, because that is the perfect angle for the best photos. Book here this unique trip at the best price!   Undoubtedly, Cusco is an excellent region that is located between the mountains of the Andes. And here, wherever you go, you will always be amazed by so much history, food, music, culture and of course, fascinating landscapes, which will fill you with rewarding experiences for a lifetime.
By: Nathaly Bosch, social communicator by profession and curious traveler by choice. Spanish editor for Daytours4u.