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Peru South Route: Add More Excitement to Your Cusco Trip

Peru is an all-encompassing place, filled with anything you could possibly wish for from a trip. Whether you’re looking to relax on a scenic beach or have the chance to taste and learn about all about the country you’re visiting, Peru has it all. Home to mystery, culture, adventure and breathtaking nature. Each new place you visit will allow you to connect with a different part of Peru. Take a step out of your comfort zone, and towards something greater. The Essential Peru Journey – as the name implies – allows you to visit all the must-see locations in Cuzco but using the South Route you are given the chance to broaden your exploration even further. Everything from wildlife and drinks in Paracas and Ica respectively, to a centuries old beauty in Nazca, to the white city of Arequipa, and last but certainly not least, the many wonders that Lake Titicaca has to offer. You will discover all the magic that Peru’s Southern route has to offer.

First off, we have Paracas and Ica. Only a short trip from Lima takes you to Paracas. There you will find absolutely beautiful beaches, in addition the Ballestas Islands. This land is home to sea lions, the Peruvian booby, and penguins. Enjoy not only the enchanting terrain but also all the native wildlife it has to offer. In Ica, take a dive into Peru’s national drink: pisco. Ica features a number of vineyards and wineries where grape juice is fermented to become pisco. On this stop discover just how this drink is made, along with exploring the Huacachina oasis. Here you have a chance to enjoy buggies and sandboarding around a village surrounded by sand dunes.

Experience one of the greatest archeological enigmas in the world, known as the Nazca Lines, located in the soil of the Nazca Desert in the southern Peru. The Nazca Lines are a group of lines that geoglyphs have made. These lines are mostly assumed to have been created more than 2,000 years ago by the Nazca people, while the others seem to predate the Nazca culture altogether and are presumed to have been made by the Paracas community. These lines create many different shapes; many are humanlike while others are considered to bear more resemblance to plants and animals. The most popular of these formations are the bird, the spider and the monkey. You also have the opportunity to fly over the Nazca lines, in order to view their beauty from above, these flights depart from Paracas or Ica.

Arequipa – also known as the “white city” – was built entirely with white lava stones and is surrounded by volcanos. The main building material, sillar, is a type of volcanic rock formed from ash and lava fragments emitted during eruption. The choice of using sillar goes beyond architectural design but also reflected the city’s ability to adapt to its environment, namely being built near a volcano. It is also the second most populated city in Peru, only after the capital Lima. The stunning architecture provides the perfect background for any and all of your photos. Close by is the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world, and a wonderful trek for anyone who wishes to take on the challenge. The Colca Canyon is home to the Andean Condor, a species of South American New World vulture, and if you’re lucky, you may just spot one of these majestic birds soaring above you through the canyon.

The final possible destination is located on the shores of Lake Titicaca, and that is Puno. There lies many notable churches and cathedrals, specifically the Puno Cathedral. You can visit the Uros Islands, a collection of floating islands, made entirely by hand of reed wood. Taking a visit to the Islands of Taquile and Amantani located, once again on Lake Titicaca, is a great way to experience their ancient and unique ways of life. Taquile is predominantly known for its traditional textiles which serve as a central to the island’s culture. Take a trip to Taquile in order to experience their one of a kind and rich traditions. On the other island of Amantani, people come for their views. The island offers a mesmerizing outlook of Lake Titicaca and all the surrounding mountains. Amantani Island itself is covered in agriculture and rolling hills.

No matter which destination you choose, you will find beauty and adventure. A trip you will never forget. So where are you going to go?

On 7 agosto, 2025 • By magicalblog

Cusco• Peru• Sacred Valley

Top Sights in the Sacred Valley

Many tourists coming to Peru are definitely more interested in Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu and the majority of the time they skip a visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. In my opinion that’s a BIG BIG BIG mistake, since this place is magic, here you can find a very special energy that you are not able to find in any other place in Peru. I believe the name “Sacred Valley” can better define what I actually mean. This is a spiritual place where you can definitely recharge your battery after the tiring excursion to Cusco and Machu Picchu. Here a list of places you should not miss once in the area:

Pisac Ruins: The small town of Pisac is located 32 Kilometers (20 Miles) from Cusco. On the top of the modern town there are the ancient ruins, which consist of a vast amount of agricultural terracing and a small Inca village. Made up of groups of terraces, the outline of the site forms the shape of a giant condor. In ancient times the condor was considered to be the messenger of the sun, and the one who was in charge of carrying the spirits of the dead onto the world beyond. For this reason Pisac was also considered to be a place of great spiritual worship.

Pisac Market: Peru’s most famous crafts market takes place in Pisac on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sunday. This ancient Inca village is nestled in the shadow of an imposing Inca fortress and temple and it is famous for its beautiful and colorful market where tourists can shop for traditional handicrafts and every kind of handmade Peruvian products.

Awanakancha: AwanaKancha provides an opportunity to see products made from South America’s four camelids (alpaca, llama, vicuña, and guanaco) from the first steps of the production process to its end: the animal, the shearing, the textile weaving and dyeing, and the finished products, which you can purchase in the showroom. It makes a great stop for the whole family, as kids usually have lots of fun feeding the camelids on-site.

Ollantaytambo Temple: Second in importance only to Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo includes some of the Inca’s best stonework, including a series of ceremonial baths, elegant trapezoidal doorways, and a sun temple that faces the rising sun.

Maras: It was home to the descendents of the Incas of the Hurin Cusco Clan. In Colonial times, it was the first salt producing center of the central – Sierra. This picturesque town is located 53 km northwest of Cusco (1hour drive) by a paved road. The town has a large church and several colonial houses with code-of-arms of noble families on their facades. Close to Maras, at the Peasant community of Pichingoto, there are salt mines, known locally as “salineras”. Landscape is awesome in this area.

Moray: Located 9 km west of the town of Maras, along an unpaved road, his archeological site is perhaps one of the most mysterious of the pre-Hispanic Cusco area. The site consists of a large irrigation system and a series of concentric agricultural terraces, constructed by means of stone retaining walls. The location is believed to have been an enormous agricultural laboratory in which the Incas purposefully created several microclimates in which they grew a variety of crops.

Chincheros: Known to the Incas as the birthplace of the rainbow, this typical Andean village combines Inca ruins with a colonial church, some wonderful mountain views and a colorful Sunday market. On a high plain with sweeping views to snow-laden peaks, it’s quite beautiful. Since it is very high, it’s unwise to spend the night until you’re somewhat acclimated.

So remember once in Peru do not forget to visit the Sacred Valley. If you have already traveled there and you have more suggestion feel free to add tips and recommendations in the comments.

On 17 octubre, 2017 • By magicalblog