Weekend in Calca

Covered market where farmers sell produce, cheese, and handmade textiles. No tourist markups here—prices are for locals.

Tip: Try the fresh queso fresco (white cheese) and buy a bag of coca leaves for 2 soles—great for altitude.

Small viewpoint on a hill at the north edge of town. You can see the entire Calca basin, the Urubamba River, and snowy peaks behind.

Tip: Best at 6am before the clouds roll in. Bring water—the steep cobbled street up is a proper lung-test at 3,400m.

The central square, shaded by trees and dominated by a large colonial church. Locals gather here in the evenings, and there's usually a market on Sundays.

Tip: Go at dusk when the church facade lights up and food stalls sell anticuchos (grilled hearts) for a few soles.

Inca terraces and stone buildings perched on a mountainside above the Sacred Valley. Free to visit, but you need a short uphill hike.

Tip: Take a micro from Calca to the village of Pisac (2 soles), then walk up the path behind the football field. The views down to the valley are better than at Machu Picchu.

Natural hot springs on the outskirts of Calca, with three concrete pools fed by thermal water. Basic changing rooms and cold showers.

Tip: Entrance is 3 soles. Go early on weekdays to avoid local foot-washers. The hottest pool is the smallest one furthest from the entrance.