Cusco Alto Andino expands the tourist offerings of the Cusco region by including 46 destinations in the provinces of Acomayo and Canas. This new initiative focuses on highland regions that have thus far attracted significantly fewer international visitors than Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, or the city of Cusco.
PROMPERÚ introduced the new tourism offering alongside regional stakeholders. In addition to well-known sites like Waqrapukara and the Q’eswachaka Bridge, landscapes, lagoons, archaeological sites, and communities are part of this new network. For travelers, this creates an exciting opportunity to connect several lesser-known parts of the region.
Two Provinces Come into Sharper Focus
Acomayo and Canas are located southeast and south of the city of Cusco, respectively. Both provinces are part of the Andean highlands and boast numerous natural and cultural attractions. Cusco Alto Andino aims to better integrate a total of 46 of these destinations into the region’s tourism offerings. Simultaneously, the goal is to distribute travel within Cusco more broadly.
Local providers are expected to particularly benefit from this. These include accommodations, restaurants, transport companies, artisans, and providers of community-based tourism offerings. The concept thus combines classic sights with nature experiences and the daily life of highland communities.
Waqrapukara is Among the Best-Known Destinations
Among the most important sites of Cusco Alto Andino is Waqrapukara. This archaeological complex is spectacularly situated above the Apurímac Canyon. Its unusual shape has made it an increasingly popular excursion destination for several years now. Nevertheless, visitor numbers are significantly lower than at many classic sights around Cusco.
Waqrapukara is located at an altitude of approximately 4,100 meters. Access is via country roads and then a footpath. This location, in particular, makes good preparation essential. Travelers should not underestimate the altitude and plan sufficient time for acclimatization.
Q’eswachaka: The Famous Bridge of Inca Tradition
Another central component is Q’eswachaka in the province of Canas. This suspension bridge over the Apurímac River is made from plant fibers. Particularly remarkable is the tradition of its regular renewal, which has been preserved to this day.
Nearby communities collaboratively produce the necessary ropes and rebuild the bridge using traditional techniques. Q’eswachaka therefore represents not only historical architecture. The bridge also demonstrates how knowledge and communal traditions from pre-Hispanic times continue to be passed down today. This sets the site apart significantly from a classic archaeological complex.
Pallay Punchu Combines Highlands and Extraordinary Landscapes
Pallay Punchu is also among the scenic highlights of the new offering. These colorful mountain formations are located in the province of Canas near Layo. Their lines and various hues are reminiscent of traditional Andean textiles.
Pallay Punchu has only gained international recognition in recent years. However, compared to the famous Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain, visitor numbers remain significantly lower. The high altitude also presents special demands here, as parts of the landscape are well over 4,000 meters. A trip should therefore not take place immediately after arrival in Cusco.
The Four Lagoons Route in Acomayo
Acomayo boasts another scenic route with the Ruta de las Cuatro Lagunas (Four Lagoons Route). It connects the lagoons of Pomacanchi, Acopia, Asnaqocha, and Pampamarca. The lakes are nestled in the highland landscape south of Cusco.
The route is particularly suitable for travelers who wish to combine several locations. Viewpoints, small communities, and agriculturally shaped landscapes dominate large parts of the route. This provides a clear contrast to the highly frequented tourist corridor between Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu.
The Apurímac Canyon Shapes Part of the Region
Several destinations within Cusco Alto Andino are located in the vicinity of the Apurímac Canyon. The Apurímac River has deeply cut into the Andes, shaping large parts of the landscape. Archaeological sites, viewpoints, and traditional trails are sometimes located high above the river.
This connection is particularly striking at Waqrapukara and Q’eswachaka. However, the distances and road conditions make travel more time-consuming than a glance at the map might suggest.
More Than an Alternative to Machu Picchu
Cusco Alto Andino is not intended to compete with Machu Picchu. Rather, the initiative expands the tourism spectrum of the entire region. This is important because a large part of international tourism has so far concentrated on a few locations.
Cusco itself, the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, and Machu Picchu dominate many classic travel itineraries. Other provinces receive only a small fraction of these visitors. Acomayo and Canas, on the other hand, boast attractions that differ significantly from these established routes. Here, highland landscapes, small communities, hikes, and living traditions are more prominent.
What Travelers Should Consider for Cusco Alto Andino
Altitude is one of the most important factors in travel planning. Many destinations are located at approximately 4,000 meters or higher. Sufficient acclimatization in Cusco or a comparable altitude is therefore advisable.
In addition, there are sometimes long travel times and roads whose condition can vary greatly. Not every attraction can be sensibly visited as a short day trip. Those who wish to combine several destinations should therefore plan for additional overnight stays in the region.
The season also plays a role. During the rainy season, roads and hiking trails may be more difficult to traverse. The drier months often offer better conditions for longer tours through the highlands.
New Opportunities for Acomayo and Canas
The economic significance of the initiative extends beyond entrance fees. If travelers stay longer in Acomayo or Canas, additional income is generated for local accommodations, gastronomy, transportation, and travel providers. Handicrafts and local products can also benefit more from tourism.
For smaller communities, in particular, it is crucial that visitors do not solely arrive for a few hours. Multi-day routes can retain a larger portion of the tourism value creation in the respective region. Cusco Alto Andino therefore focuses on connecting several destinations instead of a single new attraction.
Cusco Becomes a More Diverse Travel Destination
For travelers, this primarily changes the selection. Those who already know Cusco or consciously want to travel off the classic route will find additional possibilities with the 46 destinations. Some of these can be combined, while others require their own day or multi-day tour.
Waqrapukara, Q’eswachaka, Pallay Punchu, and the Four Lagoons Route already demonstrate how diverse the highlands south of Cusco can be. With Cusco Alto Andino, these places now receive a common tourism framework.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cusco Alto Andino
What is Cusco Alto Andino?
Cusco Alto Andino is a tourism offering that brings together 46 destinations in the provinces of Acomayo and Canas within the Cusco region.
Which well-known attractions are included?
Highlighted destinations include Waqrapukara, Q’eswachaka, Pallay Punchu, and the Four Lagoons Route. Additionally, there are other landscapes and attractions in the highlands of both provinces.
Can Cusco Alto Andino be visited already?
Yes. Several of the included attractions are already accessible and offered by tour operators. For remote destinations, travelers should check current accessibility before departure.
How high are the travel destinations located?
Many places are located in the Andean highlands at approximately 4,000 meters or higher. Prior acclimatization is therefore recommended.
Is Cusco Alto Andino a substitute for Machu Picchu?
No. The offering complements existing travel routes in the Cusco region. At the same time, it aims to involve previously less visited provinces more in tourism.
Sources
PROMPERÚ – Information on the presentation of Cusco Alto Andino and the 46 tourist destinations in Acomayo and Canas.
Regional and national tourism information on Waqrapukara, Q’eswachaka, Pallay Punchu, and the Ruta de las Cuatro Lagunas.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons – “LLaqtapukara.jpg”, Photo: Vani Pfuño, CC BY-SA 4.0.
