At Impactful Travel, we love discovering Peru’s hidden regions and helping travelers experience them responsibly. But if you’re not ready to cross off the incredible Cusco region of your itinerary, we totally get it! The area certainly deserves all the attention it gets. At the same time, it is so much more than the Rainbow Mountains and Machu Picchu.
Knowing that, we want to give you the opportunity to experience Peru’s local life in between Cusco’s tourist hotspots. Because even close to the most visited places, it is still very real! You will get to meet local communities, experience authentic travel in the Sacred Valley, and gain a true glimpse of Peru’s soul. And all of that without getting far off track.
These experiences are perfect for travelers who want to dig deeper into Peru’s culture without missing out on its highlights:
Experience life on a coffee farm, close to Machu Picchu
Many ways lead to Machu Picchu: the panoramic train route through the lush lowlands, the dusty and never-ending “backdoor” bus ride, and various trekking routes. But there’s one more alternative, which authenticity-seekers should know about: the Coffee Route to Machu Picchu.
Not far from the world wonder, some good friends of Impactful Travel live a tranquil but hard-working lifestyle on their organic farms. Here, they grow not only coffee, but also other products, including chocolate. And they invite you to take part in their daily life by welcoming you to their homes, sharing meals with you, and taking you to their farms.
You get to learn about organic farming and produce what we think is the best coffee on the market. (You let us know afterward if we were right!) When the work is done, feel free to swing into one of the hammocks at the homestay and admire the lush mountains and singing birds surrounding you.
The coffee experience is part of a multi-day hike that culminates in a visit to Machu Picchu on the last day. It’s a beautiful combination of authentic local insights and the impressive, mighty Inca ruins.
Rainbow Mountains: the alternative way
Next to Machu Picchu, you’ll probably want to visit the Rainbow Mountains. Such colorful natural wonders are pretty unique and found only in a few countries worldwide. As for Peru, the colors are relatively easy to access, which is a big plus.
However, we strongly advise against visiting Vinicunca, the most popular of the Rainbow Mountains. Poor tourism management and disagreements among local communities in the area are only some of the issues that make this experience both irresponsible and barely enjoyable for visitors.
Cheer up, though, because there are other Rainbow Mountain experiences just around the corner! The easiest alternative to Vinicunca is a day tour to the so-called Palcoyo. The play of colors that awaits you here is almost as beautiful as at Vinicunca. On top of that, you’ll see some pretty impressive rock formations. The exaggerated crowds, however, are not present in this area.
If you want to dig deeper into the subject, we explain the situation around Vinicunca, as well as all alternative options, in our blog post on “Alternative Rainbow Mountains in Peru: Looking Beyond Vinicunca”.
Spend a day with local farmers in the Sacred Valley
When in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, don’t limit your visit to ticking off the different archaeological sites with your cumulative admission ticket.
What makes this place special is not just the ruins but also the tranquil atmosphere, diverse landscapes, and open-minded communities that remain so intimately connected to the mountains and Pachamama. It’s the perfect place to spend a full day alongside local farmers, high up in the Andean mountains.
This experience doesn’t follow any strict schedule. Instead, it gives you a true picture of a Peruvian farmer’s daily tasks. Depending on the season, you might help prepare the fields, learn about native crops and traditional farming techniques, or simply spend time alongside local families as daily life unfolds naturally around you.
The journey begins and ends in Lamay, one of the Sacred Valley’s quieter villages, not far from Cusco city. With its small cafés and slower pace, it is worth staying a little longer after the experience, whether for a relaxed evening stroll or even an overnight stay, before continuing through the valley.
Hike the Sacred Valley like a Local
The Sacred Valley is also ideal for off-the-beaten-path day hikes. Many trails in its lesser-known villages remain largely untouched by tourists and are used mostly by locals or Peruvian outdoor enthusiasts. That being said, they are no less beautiful and well worth exploring!
One of these hidden trails is located above the village of Urubamba. Together with a local herder and his group of llamas, you walk through lush vegetation alongside a clear river. The animals will walk freely beside you throughout the experience, creating unique memories that are sure to last.
Upstream, you reach an impressive viewpoint just by a waterfall that feeds the river below. Take your time to enjoy the Pachamanca lunch break (a typical Peruvian meal cooked underground over hot stones), soak up nature’s beauty, and enjoy the tranquility of this hidden place.
Join a cooking class in Cusco city
Cusco downtown is a vibrant, beautiful, and special place, with the Plaza de Armas as the heart of the former Incan empire. Naturally, this legacy makes it a hotspot for tourism, where vendors will tirelessly try to sell you their (most beautiful!) products, such as paintings, hats, and a whole lot of other fun stuff. This can make it difficult for visitors to identify authenticity among the charming chaos.
Our friend Selia and her son Gonzalo are here to help! Close to the main square, Selia runs a small local restaurant where she fascinates guests with her refined culinary creations.
During her cooking class, always accompanied by her warm laugh, she’ll introduce you not only to Peruvian cuisine but also to an important part of its culture. Of course, a visit to the local market to pick up your ingredients is an integral part of the experience.
Get ready to pick up a few new culinary tricks, and, most importantly, don’t shy away from asking Selia anything you want to know about her life in Peru. This is your chance to get a true local’s perspective on things!
Go on an adventure in Apurímac’s canyons
In a lesser-visited area of the western Cusco region, the Apurímac River winds through dramatic landscapes. It is the perfect setting for an adventurous escape into wild nature straight from the bustling city of Cusco. Outdoor enthusiasts, this one’s for you!
The Apurímac 2-Day Tour offers the full adventure package: You’ll go bridge jumping, rafting, and downhill mountain biking, while making your way through varying, scenic landscapes. During the night, after relaxing in the natural thermal pools, you continue listening to the soothing sound of the river, as you camp on a private beach just next to it.
Although the area is relatively easy to reach from Cusco, it is often left out of typical itineraries because it doesn’t connect directly to other major attractions. But if you do want to get off track and are up for an overnight excursion, you’ll be rewarded with a side of the Andes most travelers never see.
Discover the spiritual side of Peru
If you want a holistic view of Peru, your journey doesn’t end with exploring its nature, culture, history, and people. You’ll need to dig deeper and understand the spiritual connection many Peruvians maintain with the mountains, the earth, and the natural world around them.
Spirituality might not be clearly visible to you when wandering Cusco’s streets for the first time. But it is deeply rooted in the country’s identity, and once you become aware of it, you might feel it more intensely throughout the rest of your journey. Pachamama (the Quechua term for Mother Earth) remains deeply present in everyday life.
Our spiritual ceremony experience in Cusco’s mountains aims to introduce you to this unfamiliar yet fascinating world and to create a connection between you and the spirits of the Andes.
Trek through the High Andes of Cusco
From certain streets of Cusco, you can already catch a glimpse of it: the Ausangate mountain. Towering above the former Incan capital, it feels distant and almost unreachable, as only its snow-covered peaks are visible on the horizon. But for those willing to experience the rough world of the Andes, it is surprisingly accessible.
A multi-day trekking route circles the Ausangate range, taking you across high-altitude passes, open puna grasslands, and glacial lakes. Each day brings a different perspective on the mountain massif, while the white peaks remain ever-present throughout the journey.
Our lodge-to-lodge trek enables you to sleep in comfortable mountain huts and experience these extreme landscapes without sacrificing comfort. This way, you conserve your energy for the trek and can fully focus on the natural wonders surrounding you.
How to combine highlights and local experiences in Cusco
All the experiences described in this article give you a true feeling of traveling off the beaten path and discovering Peru as it really is. Nonetheless, they are not actually located in faraway areas and can easily be added to a classic Cusco & Sacred Valley itinerary. If you are short on time, these tours are especially interesting, and you can easily book them directly on our tour platform.
Are you feeling a bit more adventurous than that and want to see the country from a truly different perspective? Then our article with the 10 best off-the-beaten-path destinations across Peru is for you!
Even after days of digging into it, finding the right balance between the highlights and local life can still feel overwhelming. If you prefer an expert to put together a suitable combination while taking into account the altitude, your travel period, and your personal wishes, we look forward to designing a Peru trip just for you!
Frequently asked questions
What are the best non-touristy villages near Cusco?
Lamay and Maras stand out as the best non-touristy villages near Cusco. Both retain their traditional character, rich cultural heritage, and peaceful atmosphere while offering easy access to some of the Sacred Valley’s most interesting attractions. From Lamay, you can get to the lesser-visited Inca site Huchuy Qosqo, whereas Maras gives access to Moray and the Maras Salt Mines.
What is the best alternative route to the Inca Trail?
The Coffee Route to Machu Picchu is a unique slow-travel alternative of similar duration to the traditional Inca Trail, leading through the lands of the local organic coffee-growing communities, where you will get to know the farmers and spend the night in a homestay.
How much time do you need in Cusco?
For most travelers, spending one week in the Cusco region is a good minimum. It gives you time to enjoy Cusco city, acclimatize to the altitude, visit the Sacred Valley, and visit Machu Picchu without rushing. Longer stays allow you to travel more slowly, connect more deeply with local hosts, and explore beyond the classic route.
