The ISA JournalSo Much Fun, Just Hours Away from Cusco

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Rachel Fisher is a student at Eureka College and a Featured Photo Blogger. She is studying with ISA in Cusco, Peru.

When I was looking at all the study abroad locations ISA offered, I quickly settled on Cusco, Perú, because it offered so much variation within a few hours of the city. Being an outdoorsy person who likes to explore, the city has proved to be a good match while still being economically affordable. 

Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley

Hike Distance: 6-7 miles 

Travel Time: 3 hours each way

Total Cost: $58 (included: transportation, breakfast, lunch, park entrance free, and a guide)


Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley were near the top of my list of destinations I wanted to see, so I went there during my first free weekend. Wow, catching the tour bus at 3 a.m. was worth it! 

I had read and seen pictures of Rainbow Mountain, but I never expected the hour-and-a-half hike to the famous mountain to be so gorgeous. 
The final summit up the mountain was challenging, but once you make it to the top, the views are breathtaking. You are at 16,522 feet elevation – over 2,000 feet higher than the highest peak in the continental United States. On the left side of the picture is Rainbow Mountain, and on the right side is Red Valley. 
To see Red Valley, you have to hike a little farther, but it was more than worth it! The colors and formations were unreal. 

Ausangate 7 Lakes

Hike Distance: 8 miles

Travel Time: 3.5 hours each way 

Total Cost: $34 (included: transportation, breakfast, lunch, park entrance free, and a guide)

The next weekend, I traveled to Ausangate 7 Lakes. This hike is located on the back side of Rainbow Mountain, but the landscape was very different. I was able to sleep in this weekend because I did not have to be on the bus until 5 a.m. 

The hike is called Ausangate 7 Lakes because it is named after the mountain and the number of lakes. The hike has beautiful views in every direction. This furry friend was hanging out at one of the lakes with all the hikers. 
The first lake you visit is called Hatun Puka Qocha, Big Red Lake. It sits at 15,603 feet elevation, so it is about 900 feet lower than Rainbow Mountain. As long as you don’t mind the cold, you can wade into the water. 
This little lake, China Uturunku Qocha or Female Otorongo Lake, was the most stunning to me because of the water’s color and how well one can see through it. This lake has religious significance, so no hikers are allowed to touch the water. 
Anqas Qocha, Blue Lake, was the final and the biggest lake. It was a great spot to take pictures because the blue water, glacier, and mountains can be captured with one click. 

Pisac Archeological Park 

Hike Distance: 6 miles 

Travel Time: 1 hour each way

Total Cost: $25 (included: transportation and park entrance fee) 

I took a day trip to Pisac, a small town in Sacred Valley. In the town, there is a huge artisan market with handmade souvenirs. The archaeological park is very large with more than 20 ruins spread out on a mountainside. Some say these ruins rival those of Machu Picchu. 

Salinas de Maras

Walk Distance: 200 meters

Travel Time: 1.5 hours each way

Total Cost: $17 (included: transportation, lunch, site entrance fee)


Salinas de Maras, Salt Mines of Maras, is located in the Sacred Valley. This one of the kind site is worth the visit.  It has been in operation for over 500 years with over 6,000 salt ponds carved by the Incas. Around 270 tons of salt is produced yearly here. Now, that is a lot of salt!

Amazon Jungle (Tambopata National Reserve)

Duration: 3 days and 2 nights

Travel Time: 40 minutes each way (via airplane)

Total Cost: $283 (included: transportation, air fare, 3 meals per day, lodging, park entrance fee, and guides)


Welcome to the jungle! It was amazing experience being able to see the diversity! We spent seven hours paddling on Lake Sandoval. We even go to see the only family of giant river otters (almost 6 feet long) that lives at the lake. 
Meet Coco, a back caiman alligator who lives at Lake Sandoval. One time, the tour guide was paddling on the lake, and Coco jumped into the boat! 

The bank of Sandoval Lake is lined with palm trees. Look up, and you will see five blue macaws flying! It is so peaceful and quiet, you can hear all the wildlife talking. 

Take a night hike through the jungle, and you’ll be able to see many insects and possibly even a sloth! This dragonfly has a beautiful red body. 
Travel to Monkey Island, and you might get to feed the half-domesticated, half-wild capuchin monkeys. Thirty years ago, these monkey’s ancestors were rescued from the black market and brought to an island in the middle of Madre de Dios River. They quickly scurry down the tree, grab the sweet fruit from your hand, and climb to the top to eat it. 

You’ll have the opportunity to take a canopy walk bridge 115 feet from the ground. You can see above nearly every tree, and if you get lucky, some parrots and macaws will fly over. 

UNSECO recognizes seven different biospheres in Peru, making it one of the most biodiverse countries! No matter your interests, you are granted to find a great place to explore!

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