Ayacucho & Andahuaylas
The towns of Ayacucho and nearby Andahuaylas are in the Cusco region but far enough west that they have their own character.
It is a mountainous region, closer to the Pacific coast and yet dryer than the area around Cusco City.
Indigenous culture and pride run strong in this region and it’s a great place to meet people who still speak Quechua as their first language.