Beyond Machu Picchu: Cusco's Hidden Gems

Brittany Jones-Cooper
·Reporter

Ah, Macchu Picchu.

The majestic Incan site is one of the main reasons travelers visit Peru —including me.

However, once I got to Cusco, the team at JourneYou showed me that the ancient city has so much more to offer. From touring ruins to sampling diverse foods, my guides introduced me to a side of Cusco I never knew existed.

Machu Picchu is not to be missed, but while you’re in Cusco, make sure you also check out these other amazing attractions.

1. Cusco Cathedral

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Downtown Cusco is a bustling area filled with shops, tasty restaurants, and ruins. After exploring the Incan Sun temple, check out the ornate Cusco Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an altar made out of nearly 900 pounds of silver!

2. San Pedro Market

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To get a real feel for Cuzco, spend a morning at the San Pedro market. From fruits to vegetables and homemade crafts, you can spend hours getting a real taste for local life. It’s also a great place to pick up souvenirs.

3. Lake Piuray

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Located at 11,000 feet, Lake Piuray is a serene getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. Let the guides at Sup Cusco lead you through a yoga session, before heading out on the lake to kayak or stand up paddle board.

Related: Shop Your Way Around the World: Cusco’s Market Molina

4. Parador de Moray

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For the most epic meal of your life, eat lunch at Parador de Moray. The restaurant features authentic Andean cuisine and enough food to feed you for months. While you’re there, check out the strange circular Inca terraces, one of the most unique archaeological attractions Cusco.

5. Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley

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The Sacred valley is a fertile land in the Andes where many Incans lived and farmed. Ollantaytambo is a town and an Inca archaeological site that many visit before heading to Macchu Picchu. Explore the former Incan royal estate, but be sure to take your time…those stairs are a doozy.

(All photos taken by Brittany Jones-Cooper)

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