Southern Peruvian Andes Overview

By John Howison

One of the best parts about the Southern Peruvian Highlands is that you don't feel like the towns have thrown all their eggs in the tourism basket. Sure, there is reliable tourism infrastructure but the towns and villages aren't overrun with options.

Traveling the Southern Peruvian Highlands will take travelers past gorgeous mountains dotted with enough lakes, views, bumpy roads to last a lifetime. The villages scattered throughout the countryside are not often visited by tourists and still exist and operate largely as they have for centuries. This is the best part of the Southern Peruvian Highlands—you can wind your way through the towns without feeling intrusive, but that the same time not feel like you're just another tourist.

The lifestyle of the inhabitants without great variation, but even as such, visitors are often afforded amenities that locals rarely enjoy. The locals will still invite tourists to experiences and participate in the various celebrations and festivals that continue to flourish.

At the end of the day pulling yourself away from Lima-Cusco-Arequipa path that many travelers see will yield refreshing and valuable rewards.