CUSCO, PERU
More than 1 million people visit Cusco annually to make the once-in-a-lifetime trip to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. While there are plenty of experiences overhyped in this world, I can assure you a visit to The Lost City of the Incas is not one of them! Oftentimes overshadowed by this ancient site though is the city that serves as the gateway to it, Cusco. Surrounded by the gorgeous Peruvian Andes, Cusco is a small city of just under a half million residents known for its cobblestone streets, long-standing traditions, and fluffy alpacas. Be sure to carve out a few days to enjoy my favorite city in Peru!
Attractions:
Visit Machu Picchu: Words cannot describe the beauty of this site; you cannot go to Cusco (or Peru) without visiting Machu Picchu! Unfortunately, I did not have time to do one of the hikes to Machu Picchu (I know, I know… I’ll be back one day)! There are many options for getting to and from Machu Picchu and since I did this trip with my uncle and cousin, I was willing to spend more money than usual. All in all, a full-day tour package cost $400 USD, which you can certainly do for cheaper. The tour included a 3-hour guided tour, the entrance fee, and round-trip transportation (4 hours one-way). The day starts with an early morning van ride from Cusco to Ollantaytambo [2 hours], followed by a Vistadome train ride to Aguas Calientes [1.5 hours], and ends with a short bus ride to the site itself (30 minutes). Believe me, it was well worth it!
Hike to Machu Picchu: If you are interested in hiking to Machu Picchu, there are many options. The two most popular hikes are the Inca Trail and Salkantay Trail. The Inca Trail is 4 days and the Salkantay Trail is 5 days - I have friends who have done both.
I have heard mixed reviews about booking out far in advance. One friend booked their Salkantay Trail hike two days in advance and another friend booked their Inca Trail trip a month in advance. Since I didn’t personally do it, I can’t advise one way or the other.
The Salkantay Trail costs around $180 USD all-inclusive (permits, meals, porters, etc.) if you do not book in advance. The Inca Trail costs around $500-$600 USD all-inclusive (if you book in advance). On both trails there are plenty of magnificent views and ancient ruins to see along the way. The hikes are difficult but rewarding and you will definitely want a poncho!
Free City Walking Tour: The city of Cusco is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and once served as the capital of the Incan Empire. This 2-hour walking tour will explore the city’s history as you wind through the cobblestone streets and admire its Spanish colonial architecture! There are three tour options starting at 9:50am, 12:30pm, and 3:30pm. The tour starts in the city’s main square, Plaza de Armas, and ends with a beautiful, elevated view of the surrounding region!
Blanco Cristo (Pukamuqu): This results in another fantastic view of Cusco. From Plaza de Armas, it will take you about 45 minutes (there are a lot of steps and it is very steep). Be sure to bring water as it is pretty strenuous. On the way down, we took a more scenic route, which I recommend doing; it is very easily accessible from SanCris Restobar Mirador. From this bar/restaurant, the entrance is a 30-second walk away.
Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo: For 30 PEN ($8 USD), you can watch a traditional dance performance starting at 7:00pm daily. The costumes are very colorful and there are various dances from different Peruvian regions. The men and women are very talented! If this sounds up your alley, check it out!
Other spots to check out include: Moray, Qorikancha, Qenko, and Saqsaywaman.
Accommodation:
Hotel - Andean Wings Boutique Hotel: Just 5 minutes from Plaza de Armas, this hotel is perfectly located in the center of town. Its bar, staff, and in-house restaurant are world-class. I had an absolutely lovely stay here!
Hostel - Pariwana Hostel Cusco: Oftentimes voted Peru’s best hostel, Pariwana makes every guest feel like part of the family. The environment is social and the rooms are very clean. Don’t forget about the lively bar and delicious restaurant!
Transportation:
Cusco’s main bus station is Terminal Terrestre (or Santiago Bus Station); all buses below leave from here. Private transportation options are available as well via Peru Adventure Tours.
Puno, the Peruvian town on Lake Titicaca, is 6.5 hours by bus from Cusco and costs 56 PEN ($15 USD). An alternate route here is fly 1 hour from Cusco to Juliaca for 205-280 PEN ($54-$73 USD). From Juliaca’s airport (JUL), you can take a shared van or colectivo to Puno; these pick up across the street from JUL. The ride is 1 hour and costs 15 PEN ($4 USD).
Arequipa is 10 hours by bus from Cusco and costs 105 PEN ($28 USD).
Nazca is 14.5 hours by bus from Cusco and costs 150 PEN ($40 USD). Here, you can find the world famous Nazca Lines!
Lima is 21.5 hours by bus from Cusco and costs 185 PEN ($49 USD). An alternate route, which I recommend, is to fly the 1.5 hours from Cusco to Lima for 100-300 PEN ($26-$79 USD).
If you are looking to see a lot of Peru in a few days, there is a Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus that runs from Cusco to Lima for $189 USD. This bus starts in Cusco and stops in Puno, Arequipa, Nazca, Huacachina, Paracas, and Lima.
Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (CUZ) is 5km (3 miles) southeast of the city center and accessible via bus or taxi.
Official Airport Taxi: The ride is 15 minutes and costs 35 PEN ($9 USD). “Llama Taxi” is the name of the one and only official taxi company operating from CUZ, meaning the prices are set at a flat rate and do not require bargaining.
Unofficial Airport Taxi: The ride is 15 minutes and costs 10-30 PEN ($2.50-$8 USD). You will notice many taxi operators outside of the airport after baggage collection and, believe me, they will notice you as well. These taxis are not metered making it imperative that you agree on a price IN SOLES before you get in a vehicle. They’ll start far above what they will eventually accept; don’t be afraid to play hardball!
Local Bus: The ride is 30 minutes and costs 1 PEN ($0.25 USD). Please note these “Imperial” buses, known as combis, depart from just outside the airport near the Pecsa Petrol Station. I’d only recommend these for experienced travelers.
If I’m in a photo, it was either taken by our tour guide (Johnny), my Uncle George, or my cousin, Jake. Thanks, all!