Tourist Services

INFORMATION ABOUT CUSCO AND TOURS:

Machu Picchu

The city of Cusco is situated in a valley surrounded by the hills of the Andes, about 3400m above sea level. It it’s centre we find a lot of history: temples, ruins, archaeological sites, colonial churches and squares. It is worth to visit all, on foot or in a tour, but we have some recommendations:

In high season it is difficult to guarantee a tour in which the client is 100% satisfied. People in agencies, hotels and other jobs make their mistakes, which are more frequent in high season when there is a lot of pressure and limited tickets for trains and trails.

High season is from mid-June to the end of September. In November starts the rainy season until March, which means that sometimes flights are cancelled, roads and railway blocked by mudslides and rocks, so that even you can not reach Machu Picchu.

Best you `ll be prepared and most important: have patience!!

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Sacred Valley tour:

On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Leaves 8.30am and returns about 6.00pm.
Visits the markets of Ccorao and Pisaq, lunch in the valley (not included) and then visits ruins and village of Ollantaytambo and on the way back the temple and ruins of Chinchero (sometimes it is too late to have this last visit)

City tour:

daily from 1.30 to 5.30pm
Visits cathedral ( s/. 10.00) , Sun temple or Coricancha (s/. 6.00), ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay.

IN BOTH TOURS YOU NEED TO BRING YOUR VISITORS TICKET TO ENTER THE RUINS!!!

Machu Picchu and incatrail:

If you want to go to Machu Picchu by the famous incatrail you should make your reservation 1 month before leaving, in high season even 2 months! Due to new regulations there are limited entrances, 500 maximum, including tourists, guides, cooks and porters, that means about 280 tourists max.

The licensed agencies, guides and dates with availabilities you can find on www.inc-cusco.gob.pe.

The agency will ask you a deposit to make the reservations.

In high season it can happen that:

• agencies sell where there are no more tickets
• they don`t give the service you paid for; especially in train tickets, but that is done by PERURAIL, not fault of the agency.
• Too much people in a group
• Changes at the last moment.

tour to Machu Picchu by train:

there are 2 services:

• - Vistadome: a little more luxury
• - Backpacker

The tour includes: transfer to the train station, train tickets, bus tickets, entrance to Machu Picchu, guided tour.

You can stay 1 night in Aguas Calientes, down in the valley just before Machu Picchu. It has hot springs and a nice relaxing atmosphere.

ALTERNATIVE HIKES:

There are very nice alternatives instead of the incatrail, such as: LARES, SALKANTAY, and CHOQUEQUIRAO OR TIPÒN

These are hikes in beautiful, more remote areas, with nice villages with Quechua speaking people, archaeological complexes or breathtaking views.

You need more information?

Festivals

During the year there are many festivals and activities in Cusco, mainly religious. The most important dates are:

•	March 28 - 29	Semana Santa, Holy Week
•	May 3	Fiesta de la Cruz, Festival of the Cross
•	May 30	Corpus Christi
•	June 24	Inti Raymi, Festival of the Sun
•	July 28	National day of independence
•	August 30	Santa Rosa de Lima

Interesting Links

• Tanager Tours - Tanager Tours is a leading Tour Operator for Birding trips to Peru and other South American destinations.