A weekend in Pacchanta: A remote town in Cusco

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Sometimes, when you’re doing volunteer work or and internship, especially in a place like Cusco, you think you might not have time for everything, but you do!

There are a lot of popular places you can visit while in Cusco, such as the Salt Mines of Maras, the Sacred Valley, Rainbown Mountain, and many more. But if you’re a volunteer that’s looking for a more authentic experience in a remote Andean community, then this is the place.

Pacchanta, the last town you see before you head for the Ausangate trek but it is worth visiting for those who don’t have time for the the full trek. It is a very small community located near the base of the Ausangate glacier. If you cannot take a week from your volunteer project, then you can spend a weekend there, hike throug the seven lakes that the area is famous for and even enjoy some hot springs.

Do you want to know how to get there? Keep reading!

Note: This article was published in 2019, travel methods and costs may have changed since then. If you want to visit Pacchanta we recommend speaking with a member of the Proyecto Peru team for up to date travel advice.

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Camping in Cusco: 5 destinations that will blow you away

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Are you in Cusco to do some volunteer work and are looking for a hike to do during the weekend? Then camping under the stars should definitely be on your list!

If you love adventure and nature and have some free time from your volunteer work, then camping is the perfect idea.

Cusco region, home of Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, has many beautiful places to camp. There’s nothing better than enjoying the beauty of nature with friends, family, or someone special.

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The Uni Student’s Peruvian Cookbook

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A Peruvian Student Cook Book

5 easy Peruvian meals to impress your friends back home

Peru is one of the most famous and popular travel destinations on the planet, visited every year by millions of people from all over the world. Most head for the ancient ruins or the highest peaks of the Andes Mountains, but a savvy traveler will know right away that Peru’s true magic is its cuisine.

Peruvian food is incredible, and eating in Cusco will be almost enough to satisfy your entire vacation. While your friends and parents will inevitably obsess over your photos of Machu Picchu and adorable Andean toddlers, impressing them with some new recipes can be a surprising and exotic way to humblebrag about your amazing time in Peru, how much you grew as a person, and how worldly and cultured you are now.

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How to Have a Perfect Visa Run to Chile

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Cusco to Chile and Back

When you first come over the hill into Tacna from Arequipa, you’ll think you’re arriving at Black Rock City, the temporary home of Nevada’s annual Burning Man festival. But don’t be misled by Tacna sprawling mass across an otherwise lifeless desert. Peru’s southernmost city lies just a stone’s throw from the Pacific, and just a few more minutes south in the backseat of a 2007 Chevy Impala lies an almost perfect stretch of sandy surf beach perfect for a weekend getaway (or a quick border hop).

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Lazy Peruvian Causa Recipe

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Peruvian Causa is typically a favorite dish among tourists and locals alike in Cusco and other cities throughout the country. It is a cold dish that features mashed potato, aji amarillo and a wide variety of potentiall fillings and toppings. Most restaurants in and around Cusco serve up their own version of causa, and all focus intensely on presentation. The causa is served up in careful layers, resembeling the style of sushi, and is often extremely photo-worthy.

This recipe is for all you lazy chefs, those who want all of the flavor and deliciousness of a traditional Peruvian causa at about 50% the effort! 

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