South Valley
Cusco’s South Valley stretches past the airport along the road to Puno, Lake Titicaca and Bolivia. The small towns along the way are full of character and the Inca and pre-Inca ruins are fascinating but never crowded. For birders, the South Valley’s Huacarpay wetlands, a Ramsar site, are a must.
The towns south of Cusco each have their specialty, as they have since Incan times. Oropesa is known for big round loaves of bread called chuta. Tipón has the best roast cuy (guinea pig) around. Saylla is famous for fried pork chicharrón. Andahuaylillas is famous for the most ornately painted 15th century church in the Americas. You’ll pass through all of them on the way to Puno.