Southern Sierra

Region

The Inca heartland and Peru's most visited region. Cusco, the old Inca capital, leads to the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, with Rainbow Mountain and Choquequirao for trekkers, while Puno sits on Lake Titicaca with its floating islands. Ayacucho is known for Holy Week and crafts. May to September is the dry season.

Southern Sierra Machu PicchuInca Trail to Machu PicchuVinicuncaPlaza de Armas (Cusco)Moray (Inca ruin)Cusco CathedralTambomachayQenkoSalkantay TrekPuno CathedralVilcabambaAusangate CircuitChoquequirao TrekCoricanchaAusangateChoquequiraoPuka PukaraCordillera VilcanotaCordillera ApolobambaCordillera CarabayaPatallactaAyacucho CathedralTiticaca National ReserveChurch of the Society of Jesus (La Compañía de Jesús, Cusco)TipónVilcabamba mountain rangeSillustaniWiñay WaynaCuscoPunoTaquile IslandOllantaytamboSacsayhuamánUros floating islandsSacred ValleyAmantaníAyacuchoAbancayJuliacaHuancavelicaPísacAndahuaylasUrubambaAguas CalientesHuaro

Southern Sierra essentials

Country: Peru
Driest months: Jun-Aug
Pay in: Sol (S/.)
Language: Spanish, Quechua

Where to Go in Southern Sierra#

City Cusco CuscoHistoric city in Cuzco Department, Peru City Puno PunoLake Titicaca town of folk festivals City Ayacucho AyacuchoCity in Ayacucho, Peru, known for history Island Uros floating islands Uros floating islandsMan-made reed islands inhabited by Uros people Island Amantaní AmantaníInhabited Lake Titicaca island with traditional terraces History Machu Picchu Machu PicchuInca citadel perched on Andean mountain ridge History Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Inca Trail to Machu PicchuAncient trekking route leading to Machu Picchu ruins History Sacsayhuamán SacsayhuamánMassive Inca fortress with impressive cyclopean stonework Nature Vinicunca VinicuncaHigh-altitude mountain ridge with multicolored mineral stripes Nature Ausangate AusangateSacred Andean peak near Cusco, glaciated mountain Nature Cordillera Vilcanota Cordillera VilcanotaPeruvian Andean range including Ausangate and glaciated peaks Nature Cordillera Carabaya Cordillera CarabayaAndean subrange in Puno with high alpine terrain

Regions & Cities#

Cusco Explore Cusco Cusco serves as the highland hub for Machu Picchu pilgrimages and Andean exploration; travelers wander Plaza de Armas, examine Sacsayhuamán’s massive stones, haggle at San Pedro market, and acclimatize with cuy and coca leaf tea. Puno Explore Puno Perched on Lake Titicaca, Puno attracts boaters to Uros’ reed islands and the Taquile and Amantani communities; travelers come for highland festivals, trout dinners, and slow crossings across mirror-flat alpine waters. Taquile Island Explore Taquile Island On Lake Titicaca, Taquile’s stone terraces and communal weaving traditions draw visitors for homestays, guided hikes above the water and demonstrations of men’s intricate knitting that marks status and island identity. Ollantaytambo Explore Ollantaytambo In the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo’s terraces and steep streets are living Inca architecture; travelers arrive for the fortress, scenic hikes, local markets and the train link toward Machu Picchu. Sacsayhuamán Explore Sacsayhuamán Above Cusco, Sacsayhuamán’s massive, tightly fitted stone walls form an Inca ceremonial complex; visitors hike terraces, photograph the zigzag ramparts and attend the Inti Raymi festival in June. Uros floating islands Explore Uros floating islands On Lake Titicaca, the Uros floating islands are totora-reed platforms maintained by Uros communities; visitors take day trips from Puno for boat rides, demonstrations and artisanal crafts. Sacred Valley Explore Sacred Valley An agricultural corridor along the Urubamba River near Cusco, the Sacred Valley hosts Inca sites like Pisac and Ollantaytambo, local markets, and trekking routes to nearby ruins. Amantaní Explore Amantaní On Lake Titicaca, Amantani island features family-run homestays, stone platforms atop two sacred hills and steep paths offering broad views of the lake and nearby islands.

Southern Sierra at a Glance#

Local Time
1:35 PM
GMT-5
Population
4,008,499

Best Things to Do in Southern Sierra#