By Air
Nearly all departures and arrivals from Cuzco’s Aeropuerto Internacional Alejandro Velasco Astete (code CUZ; 22 2611), a few kilometers south of the city center, are in the morning, because climatic conditions in the afternoon typically make landings and takeoffs more difficult. Several airlines offer regular daily flights to and from Lima. These may get canceled or lumped together with other flights during quiet periods. Your best bet is to reserve the earliest flight available, as later ones are the most likely to be delayed or canceled. A few domestic carriers also have regularly scheduled flights to Puerto Maldonado, Juliaca and Arequipa. Flights tend to be overbooked, especially in high season, so confirm your flight when you arrive in Cuzco, then reconfirm 72 hours in advance and again 24 hours before departure. If you buy your ticket from a reputable travel agent, the staff will reconfirm for you. Check in at least two hours before your flight. Beware that check-in procedures are often chaotic, and even people with confirmed seats and boarding passes occasionally have been denied boarding because of overbooking errors. During the rainy season, flights can be postponed for 24 hours due to bad weather. Bring all valuables and essentials with you on the plane, and securely lock any checked baggage. AERO CONDOR PERU (www.aerocondor.com.pe) Daily flights to Lima and thrice weekly to Puerto Maldonado. LAN (www.lan.com); Av El Sol 627B Major domestic airline has regular direct flights to Lima, Arequipa, Juliaca and Puerto Maldonado. STAR PERU ( www.starperu.com); Two daily flights to Lima. PERUVIAN AIRLINES ( www.peruvianairlines.pe ) two dayli fligths to Lima TACA (www.taca.com); Daily flights to Lima (except on Wednesdays).
Cuzco by Land
All international services depart from Cuzco’s main long-distance bus terminal. For Bolivia, several companies offer through buses to Copacabana (13 hours) and La Paz ( 18 hours). Many will swear blind that their service is direct, though the buses usually stop in Puno for several hours in the middle of the night until the border opens. Have daily buses departing around 9pm or 10pm.
Cuzco Long-distance
Terminal Terrestre, the town’s main long-distance bus terminal (departure tax US$0.30), is 2km southeast of the Plaza de Armas, several blocks off Av El Sol. This is where you’ll find all of the major luxury bus companies, including Cruz del Sur and Ormeño , as well as scores of smaller económico (economic) Regular buses depart frequently for Puno (US$6.50 to US$10.50, six to seven hours) via Juliaca. But why not treat yourself? Qeros Tours Peru can offer runs luxury tourist-class buses with panoramic windows to Puno, with departures every morning. The splurge-worthy US$ 35 fare includes beverages and an English-speaking tour guide, who talks about the various sites that are briefly visited en route, including Andahuayillas, Raqchi, Abra la Raya and Pucará. There are now two options to get to Lima. Most direct buses now ply the quicker route via Abancay and Nazca to Lima (US$30 to US$55, 17 to 23 hours), but this can be a rough ride and is prone to crippling delays during the rainy season. Companies include the most luxurious Cruz del Sur, Tepsa, Internacional Palomino and the cheapest Expreso Sanchez . The alternative is to go via Arequipa, a longer but more comfortable and reliable route for reaching Lima ( 25 to 27 hours). Oltursa Royal Class, Ormeño, Cromotex have a daily departure at 9am. Buses to Quillabamba (seven to eight hours) via Santa María leave a few times per day from the Santiago bus terminal in western Cuzco . Daytime buses to Quillabamba are safer and have spectacular scenery while climbing the 4600m Abra de Malaga and then dropping down into the jungle.Busses To Puerto Maldonado Amazon Jungle (10 to 12 hours) Via Urcos leave from Cusco’s Bus Station Every Day from 6:00pm. To 8:00pm.Getting to Manu is just as problematic. We Recommend ask for our Manu Jungle Adventure Service or ask for one of our Agents.
Cuzco by Train
Cuzco has two train stations. Estación Huanchac, near the end of Av El Sol, serves Juliaca and Puno on Lake Titicaca. Estación San Pedro, next to the Mercado Central, serves Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Estación Huanchac (Estación Wanchaq; has trains for Puno that usually leave at 8am The journey has great views of the Andes and along the shores of Lake Titicaca, but even in the best class, seats are not very comfortable, and the ride is known for being a bone shaker ,Machu Picchu trains actually leave from Poroy and Ollantaytambo stations. For more info ask for our Agents.
Getting Around Cuzco: Getting around Cusco is straightforward and relatively simple, especially because so many of the city sights are within walking distance of the Plaza de Armas in the historic center. You will mostly depend on leg power and omnipresent, inexpensive taxis to make your way around town.
Cuzco By Foot Most of Cusco is best navigated by foot, although because of the city's 11,000-foot elevation and steep climbs, walking is demanding. Allow extra time to get around, and carry a bottle of water. You can walk to the major ruins just beyond the city -- Sacsayhuamán and Q'enko -- but you should be rather fit to do so. It's also best to undertake those walks in a small group and not alone.
Cuzco By Taxi Unlike in Lima, taxis are regulated in Cusco and charge standard rates (although they do not have meters). Taxis are inexpensive and are a good way to get around, especially at night. Hailing a cab in Cuzco is considerably less daunting than in Lima, but you still should call a registered taxi when traveling from your hotel to train or bus stations or the airport, and when returning to your hotel late at night (there have been reports of muggings and even rapes tied to rogue taxis).
Cuzco By Rent Car Renting a car in the Cusco region -- more than likely to visit the beautiful Sacred Valley mountain villages -- is a more practical idea than in most parts of Peru. Rental agencies which has pickups and even Toyota Land Cruisers. The other option is hire private service tours to visit touristic places. that service include private transportation and guide.
|