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It was the first time I traveled to this mystical destination. Since I made the decision, I kept imagining that my adventure would be full of long-awaited warm moments that would intermingle with aloof ones that I knew that this incredible city would give me. The night trip by train would be the most appropriate and beautiful way for me to travel.

While it is true that there are two fantastic and different routes made for travelers with specific preferences, one that will take you to Machu Picchu is an ancient and remote alternative trail: Salkantay. During this 5-day and 4-night trekking route, you will pass through majestic landscapes, walk among spectacular ecological terrains, enjoy impressive lagoons, see beautiful snow-capped mountains such as Humantay and, undoubtedly, delight yourself with the imposing glacier mountain, Salkantay (Wild Mountain in Quechua).

Currently, Peru is a destination for gastronomic tourists due to its infinite variety of products of both animal and plant origin, as well as its extraordinary fusions. However, the most attractive and charming offerings in this culinary destination are the ancestral traditions that continue to this day.

While a large group of people gather in the esplanade of Saqsayhuaman, a few minutes from the center of Cusco, many curious eyes are following what is happening there. Some of them from Cusco and, many others, tourists who are visiting the surroundings. All closely follow the choreographies and figures that make up the protagonists. Everyone knows that in a few days the most influential festivity in the region will take place.

As you may have observed from the first day of your visit, the region of Cusco is home to spaces full of life, harmony, and ancestral knowledge. From the Main Plaza up to the high mountains, the Inca culture has left its indelible mark on the constructions built and carved into mother stone that awaken the awe of everyone who is fortunate enough to see them.

A short walk through Cuzco, the heart of the Inca culture, will show you that stone was the favorite material for erecting incredible structures that would remain intact and that, to this day, have dazzled and challenged the understanding of everyone who is in the presence of these works.

Peru has been recognized for several consecutive years as one of the best countries to fully experience gastronomic tourism. The great variety of products that grow far and wide throughout our territory, and the creativity that emerges from all Peruvians when it comes to the culinary, are the fabulous features that distinguish our cuisine.

There are many travelers who decide to explore the enigmatic and very famous summit of Huayna Picchu when they visit the citadel of Machu Picchu. Those who do not suffer from vertigo and are prepared for an unforgettable walk should keep in mind that an architectural jewel is found when descending from the top. We are talking about the Temple of the Moon.

Few places in the world are so rich with regard to culture as the region of Cusco. Here, you can find many different kinds of activities, from the well-known visit to Machu Picchu to others where you will not find as many people such as the well-developed Andean Baroque Route.

A group of young climbers, some families from Cusco, a group of tourists accompanied by a guide, and a smiling lady who sunbathes outside her house and greets us when she sees us passing by. We are in Lamay! A place that receives all kinds of visitors and invites us to discover that Cusco has many more options than we thought.

The name of Manuel Choqque is still unknown to many people from Cusco, as well as tourists. The vast majority do not know the history of this agricultural engineer, farmer from the community of Chinchero, who, with great talent and effort, has managed to develop the star Andean product: the potato.

“Pachamama is powerful!” a woman from Cusco is heard to say. She tries to explain the typical Andean ritual of the Pago a la Tierra to visitors who are curious to observe. Her phrase summarizes the importance attributed by locals to this ancestral ceremony, which is carried out in an extended way in the different areas of Cusco in the month of August. Some gather in houses; others prefer mystical outdoor spaces like Sacsayhuaman. However, everyone shares the devotion to Mother Earth, the Pachamama.

Without a doubt, Machu Picchu is one of the constructions that has aroused the most admiration and interest in the entire world. The greatness of this citadel lies in having been erected on a large mountain, using huge blocks of stone, imprinting on each detail a special meaning. If you plan to visit this wonder of the world, we invite you to learn a little more about one of its most important areas: the Temple of the Three Windows.

Few elements are as connected with a visit to Peru as a selfie with a llama. Having a photo at Machu Picchu and another with one of these animals are part of the “bucket list” of many travelers. Llamas, alpacas, and vicunas generate a lot of warm feelngs among the thousands of visitors to the high-Andean area of Peru, and the excitement of seeing one of these peculiar inhabitants of the Andes is great when finally in the country.

Did you know that there is a very special place near Machu Picchu where you can discover the biodiversity of this sanctuary? If you are planning to visit this wonder of the world, we invite you to learn a little more about the lush valley of Mandor.

When Marie planned her trip to Peru, she didn’t imagine that the smallest destinations to visit would occupy the most special space within her travel memories: she was surprised to discover the magic of the towns in the Sacred Valley of Cusco. When she returned to her country and was asked what place she liked best, she hesitated a little but when she considered each chapter of her adventure, she replied that it was the town of Ollantaytambo.

When we talk about traditional communities, markets take on special importance. In them, you can find the heart of their customs– we can learn from their main economic activities, listen to their native languages, and even take with us a little of their culture, a little of them. In the Cusco region, this is particularly true when referring to the town of Pisac and the popular traditional market that located there.

Qapaq Ñan (as it’s called in Quechua), known today as The Great Inca Trail, was an extensive road network built by the Incas to unite all the conquered territories. Recall that this empire spread throughout South America to countries such as Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. However, the importance that this route had in its time was greater in the central places of the empire, that is to say in Cusco and its surroundings.

Some people say that “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” The opportunity of discovering new vistas, making new memories, and achieving goals fills us with joy and makes traveling one of the most satisfying activities of life. At Sumaq, we don’t want you to miss the best destinations and activities in the Cusco Region, so today we want to tell you about one of the most impressive landscapes in the area: the Humantay Lagoon.

In Quechua (the official language of the Inca Empire), Sumaq means “beautiful,” “pleasant,” “delicious.” Today, one of the most exclusive hotels in the Cusco region takes this name to show the world all those beautiful features that make up the Andean culture. Now, we will tell you a little more about Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel.

Valentina is a smiling young woman who lives in Chinchero, in the Cusco province– a special place in the Sacred Valley. This town, protected by the Chicón mountain and beautified by the Piuray lagoon, has been the home of her family for several generations and she has seen it grow. From a very young age, she watched with curiosity and gradually learned about her family’s trade, one that identifies them as residents of Chinchero, joins them as a group, and gives them the income they need.

Machu Picchu, wonder of the world, is an ideal destination for various types of travelers, even for those who have special hobbies such as bird watching. Nature lovers who look for suitable destinations for this activity may find the opportunity to meet unique species in the citadel and its surroundings, such as the Cock of the Rocks, the Motmot or “Mountain Watchmaker”, the Paucar, and many others.

Do you remember the last time you saw a landscape that took your breath away? Many places in the world can produce that effect on us, and it is precisely this feeling that leads us to pack our bags again and again to discover new places. Peru has a large number of incomparable destinations, and one of them is located in the province of Cusco, in the town of Maras. We are sure that you will find getting to know the salt mines of this place fascinating.

There is an important tradition in Cusco in which artisans from different villages undertake a trip to the city during December to be part of the famous Christmas fair, “Santurantikuy”. This is a custom that has been developing for many years in the city’s iconic Plaza de Armas and is considered to be part of the Cultural Patrimony of the Nation.