HOW TO GET TO CUSCO?

HOW TO GET FROM LIMA TO CUSCO

How to get from Lima to Cusco?

There are three ways to get to the imperial city of Cusco:

Plane: Either from Lima to Cusco (with flights lasting approximately 1 hour) or from Arequipa (with flights lasting approximately 30 minutes).

Bus: You can take the route Lima – Arequipa – Cusco (1,650 km and approximately 26 hours of travel), the route Lima – Nazca – Puquio – Abancay – Cusco (1,131 km and approximately 22 hours of travel) or the route Puno – Cusco (389 km and approximately 7 hours of travel).

Train: Through the luxurious Belmond Andean Explorer train or on the Perurail Titicaca train, which travels 384 km of Andean landscapes, in ten hours and thirty minutes.

How is the weather in Cusco?

The ideal months to visit Cusco are between April to October, as you can enjoy the bright sun from very early in the morning. The rainy season begins in November and lasts until March. If you plan to travel in those months, we suggest you bring a raincoat or an umbrella.

CURRENCY / EXCHANGE OFFICES IN CUSCO

The official currency of Peru is the Sol (S/). Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and on Saturdays until noon and exchange offices from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. It is possible to find ATMs in almost every city in the country and most are connected to Visa, Mastercard / Maestro, American Express, among others.

In them, you can withdraw money in both soles and US dollars. American dollars and euros are also accepted in some establishments. Banknotes in bad condition are not accepted in most establishments.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

In Cusco, the taxi offer is very wide and is available at any time of the day. We recommend hiring a safe taxi if you plan to go out at night.

ALTITUDE ILLNES

Cusco, are located at 3,400 meters above sea level respectively, so it is possible that you may feel dizziness or physical discomfort, which are normally related to “soroche” or also called “altitude sickness”. To avoid feeling bad, the ideal is to rest during the first days of the trip and not do physical exertion. Coca tea, altitude pills and proper hydration help with discomfort caused by altitude. Try to eat lightly and avoid food from street stalls.

SAFETY AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN CUSCO

• Always take care of your personal belongings.
• To get around, use taxis that have identification of the service company and a visible license plate.
• When you change money, it is better to use an exchange house
• If you decide to take a walk through the city, do not travel with large amounts of money.

 TOURS IN CUSCO

Recommendations in Cusco.

Tours ½ Day

• City Tour: Catedral, Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán, Q’engo, Puka Pukara y Tambomachay.
• South valley: Tipón y Pikillaqta, y templo de San Pedro de Andahuaylillas.
• Maras y Moray.
• Tarawasi – Killarumiyoc.

 Day trips from Cusco

• Sacred Valley: Písac, Ollantaytambo y Chinchero.
• Huchuy Qosqo
• South valley full day: templos de la Compañía de Jesús, Andahuaylillas, Huaro y Canincunca.
• Humantay lake.
• Rainbow mountain –  Vinincunca.
•  Q’eswachaka.
• Mirador de cóndores de Chonta.
• Full Day short inca trail.

Tours 2 Days (Machupicchu day trips from Cusco)

• Sacred valley  and Machu Picchu overnight.
• Short inca trail trek.

Tours  4 -5 Days

•  Salkantay Trek .
• Ausangate trek.
• Inca trail 4 or 5 days.
• Choquequirao trek.