Peru Tourist

07 km / 66 miles from Cusco (2 hours by car) to the town of Pomacanchi then drive 3 km / 1 mile farther to Lake Pomacanchi (10 minutes by car).

It is situated in the Upper Vilcanota River. Lake Pomacanchi is the first on the circuit. Its maximum depth is 140 meters / 459 feet. Around the lake, you will find grassy plains, some medicinal plant species (totora, mirimi, etc.) and fish (trouts, silver fish, huitas, ccarachis, ch’iñis, and carps).

The next lake, named Acopia, is small and is located close to the village of the same name. The flora and fauna are nearly identical to those of Pomacanchi. The third one is Asnaqocha, Quechua for “bad smelling lake”, and possesses little vegetation and animal life.

It is the highest on the circuit (3750 masl / 12.303 fasl). The last lake of the route is Lake Pampamarca, home to a large variety of wildlife like flamingos and ducks due to the amount of totora reeds around its shores. Sport fishing is especially popular there.

		ALTITUDE Capital: Cusco (3399 masl / 11.156 fasl) Altitude: Lowest point: 532 masl / 1745 fasl (Pilcopata) Highest point: 4801 masl / 15.751 fasl (Suyckutambo)
		CLIMATE   The city has a semi-dry and cold climate. The annual average maximum temperature is 19.6ºC (67.3ºF) and the minimum is 4.2ºC (39.6ºF). The rainy season starts in November and ends in March, and it is the time when the mountains are covered in green. Between June and July is the time of the intense cold (heladas) even with occasional snowfalls.
		ACCESS ROUTES By land: Lima – Arequipa – Cusco: 1650 km / 1025 miles (26 hours by car) Lima – Nasca – Puquio – Abancay – Cusco: 1131 km / 703 miles (20 hours by car) Puno – Cusco: 389 km / 242 miles (7 hours by car) By air: Daily flights to Cusco from Lima (1 hour) and Arequipa (30 minutes) By train: Regular service from Puno: 384 km / 239 miles (10 hours)

		DISTANCES FROM DE CITY OF CUSCO Acomayo (Province of Acomayo) 104,5 km (65 miles) / 3 hours Anta (Province of Anta) 26 km (16 miles) / 30 minutes Calca (Province of Calca) 50 km (31 miles) / 1 hour and 15 minutes Yanaoca (Province of Canas) 165 km (103 miles) / 3 hours Sicuani (Province of Canchis) 138 km (86 miles) / 2 hours Santo Tomás (Province of Chumbivilcas) 240 km (149 miles) / 10 hours Yauri (Province of Espinar) 241 km (150 miles) / 7 hours Quillabamba (Province of La Convención) 210 km (130 miles) / 6 hours Paruro (Province of Paruro) 64 km (40 miles) / 2 hours Paucartambo (Province of Paucartambo) 109 km (68 miles) / 3 hours Urcos (Province of Quispicanchi) 46 km (29 miles) / 40 minutes Urubamba (Province of Urubamba) 78 km (48 miles) / 1 hour and 25 minutes

 
DIRECTORY:

AIRPORT Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport Avenida Velasco Astete, Cusco. Telephone: (084) 22-2611

		OVERLAND TRANSPORT Main bus Station: Avenida Vallejos Santoni, block 2, Santiago, Cusco. Telephone: (084) 22-4471 Urubamba bus stop via Pisaq: Calle Puputi, block 2, Cusco Urubamba bus stop via Chinchero: Avenida Grau, block 1, Cusco
		RAILWAY SERVICE Wanchaq Station – Service to Puno: Avenida Pachacutec, Cusco. Telephone: (084) 23-8722 / 22-1992. Email: [email protected] Web site: http://www.perurail.com San Pedro Station – Service to Machu Picchu: Calle Ccascaparo, Cusco
		HEALTH CENTERS Regional Hospital: Avenida De la Cultura, Cusco. Telephone: (084) 22-3691 Hospital Antonio: Lorena. Plazoleta Belén 1358, Cusco. Telephone: (084) 22-6511
		LOCAL POLICE Tourism Police: Calle Shapy 510, Cusco. Telephone: (084) 24-9654
		CRAFT MARKETS Craft Market: Corner of Avenida Tullumayo and Avenida Pachacuteq, Cusco San Blas Art Market: San Blas neighborhood. Opening hours: Sat. 9:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. Pisaq People’s Market: District of Pisaq. Opening hours: Sun., Tues., and Thurs. 8:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. Chincheros Market: District of Chincheros. Opening hours: Sun., Tues., and Thurs. 8:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.

		POSTAL SERVICES Av. El Sol 800, Cusco. Telephone: (084) 22-4212 / 24-8352. Attention: Mon. – Sat. 7:30 A.M. – 7:30 P.M. and Sun. 7:30 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.

LINKS   Regional Government of Cusco www.regioncusco.gob.pe IPerú, Tourist Information Cusco: Velasco Astete International Airport – Main HallTelephone / fax: (084) 23-7364. Attention: Mon. – Sun. 6:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. Email: [email protected] Cusco Main Square: Avenida Sol 103, Office 102 (Galerías Turísticas). Telephone: (084) 23-4498. Telephone / fax: (084) 25-2974. Attention: Mon. – Sun. 8:30 A.M. – 7:30 P.M. Email:[email protected] Machu Picchu: Avenida Pachacutec, block 1, office 4 (National Cultural Institute Building). Telephone / fax: (084) 21-1104. Attention: Mon. – Sun. 9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. / 2:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.Email: [email protected]

Tourist Attractions

 
Barrio de San Blas (San Blas Neighborhood)
4 blocks from the Main Square
It is one of the most picturesque areas in all of Cusco. It is called T’oqokachi or Salt Hole and is characterized by narrow, steep streets and beautiful Colonial houses. It is also known as the Artisans Neighborhood. In San Blas many families accommodate guests in their homes.

Church and Convent of Santa Catalina
Calle Santa Catalina Angosta. Visiting hours: Mass times
These two buildings were raised in 1605 on what used to be the Acllahuasi or House of the Chosen Women (acllas were women designated to accomplish special tasks for the Inca). The architecture is late Renaissance and is characterized by the Roman arches. Inside, you can still see traces of the original construction. There is also an exhibition room for murals, fine metal works, textiles, sculptures, and altarpieces.

Santa Catalina Museum
Calle Santa Catalina Angosta. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sat. 9:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. and Fri. 9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
Here they exhibit paintings, textiles, woodcarvings, and Colonial altarpieces. The best among them are Diego Quispe Tito’s paintings, the Arcade carpet, and religious ornaments made of gold and silver threads.

Church and Convent of San Francisco
Plaza San Francisco. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sat. 9:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M.
Founded in 1645, it has two façades and a single, old Spanish style stone tower. The monumental painting, 12 x 9 meters / 39 x 30 feet, by Juan Espinoza de los Monteros relating the genealogy of the Franciscan family is the highlight of the convent.

Palacio del Almirante (Admiral’s Palace)
Calle Cuesta del Almirante 153. Visiting hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. Sat. and holidays 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
It is an old mansion, which today is the site of the Inca Museum. It contains an important archeological collection that includes ceramic, fine metal, and textile pieces as well as mummies.

House of the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega
Calle Heladeros. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sat. 9:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M.
Born on April 12, 1539, Inca Garcilaso de la Vega was the son of the Spanish Captain Garcilaso de la Vega y Vargas and the Cusco princess, Chimpu Ocllo. He is the author of two works, “Comentarios Reales” (Royal Commentaries) and “La Florida del Inca” (The Inca Flower), both motivated by the necessity to recover the history of the Inca Empire. The house is the current location of the Regional Historical Museum that contains a collection of canvasses from the Cusco School.

Larco Museum of Pre-Colombian Art
Plaza Nazarenas 231. Telephone: (084) 23-3210. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. and holidays 9:00 A.M. – 11:00 P.M.Ç
The mansion that shelters the museum was Kancha Inca in 1450, the house of the Conquistador Alonso Díaz in 1580, the home of Count de la Cabrera in 1850, and was completely restored to become the Museum of Pre-Colombian Art in June 2003. In its 11 rooms, 450 works of art are displayed that date from 1250 B.C. to 1532 A.D. These were selected from a group of 45.000 objects belonging to the collection of the Larco Archeological Museum in Lima.

Pukapukara Archeological Complex
7 km / 4 miles northeast of Cusco (30 minutes by car or 2 hours on foot)
The complex contains several rooms, inner plazas, aqueducts, vantage points, and pathways. It might have served as a tambo or rest and lodging area. According to the tale, each time the Inca was able to go to Tambomachay, he would be accompanied by a large cortège, which stayed at Pukapukara. It is also called a fort because of its fortified-city appearance.

The starting point of the trip varies according to the trail you wish to take. The most popular route starts around kilometer marker 82 of the railroad Cusco – Machu Picchu (40 km / 25 miles from the citadel itself). Another possibility, shorter in time, is called the Sacred Trail, and begins at kilometer marker 104 of the railroad.

Awanakancha South American Camelids Theme Park
23 km / 14 miles from Cusco in the district of Taray. Telephone: (084) 23-1473. Email:[email protected] Website: www.awanakancha.com
Camelids such as llamas, vicuñas, and alpacas are to be seen there in their native environment. They also demonstrate how to make clothing from the wool fibers of the animals. In addition, you can see native flowers and some Inca-built agricultural terraces.

Distances from the city of Cusco:

• Acomayo (Province of Acomayo) 104,5 km (65 miles) / 3 hours
• Anta (Province of Anta) 26 km (16 miles) / 30 minutes
• Calca (Province of Calca) 50 km (31 miles) / 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Yanaoca (Province of Canas) 165 km (103 miles) / 3 hours
• Sicuani (Province of Canchis) 138 km (86 miles) / 2 hours
• Santo Tomás (Province of Chumbivilcas) 240 km (149 miles) / 10 hours
• Yauri (Province of Espinar) 241 km (150 miles) / 7 hours
• Quillabamba (Province of La Convención) 210 km (130 miles) / 6 hours
• Paruro (Province of Paruro) 64 km (40 miles) / 2 hours
• Paucartambo (Province of Paucartambo) 109 km (68 miles) / 3 hours
• Urcos (Province of Quispicanchi) 46 km (29 miles) / 40 minutes
• Urubamba (Province of Urubamba) 78 km (48 miles) / 1 hour and 25 minutes

The terrain in Cusco is steep, combining fertile inter-Andean valleys with impressive mountains that descend to the rim of the jungle where the temperature rises and the landscape is transformed through a variety of vegetation.

The city of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incan Empire, was placed on the World Cultural Heritage List by UNESCO in 1983, and is without a doubt one of the most important destinations in Peru. There are Incan buildings waiting for you to discover them among its cobble-stoned streets, ones like the Koricancha and the palace of Inca Roca as well as Andean Baroque structures from the Colonial Period like the Cathedral and the Church of the Company of Christ. In addition, you can visit the picturesque neighborhood of San Blas where the best artisans in the department have set up their workshops. This magical city also has an exciting nightlife with cafes, restaurants, and bars for all tastes. Just ten minutes away from the city, there are the massive walls of the Sacsayhuamán fortress, and a few kilometers from there, you find the archeological sites of Qenko, Pukapukara, and Tambomachay, Incan buildings constructed completely with stone.

There are also the towns of Písac, Maras, Chinchero, and Ollantaytambo, which are spread throughout the Sacred Valley of the Incas, one hour from Cusco. From there, it is possible to catch the train to Machu Picchu. Another way of getting to the citadel is by following one of the Inca Trails, a spectacular network of pathways that snake their way among the snow covered mountains, rivers, and overwhelming countryside. This is one of the best trekking routes in the world, since scattered throughout it, you find remarkable archeological sites and areas rich in unique plant and animal species.

The enigmatic complex of Machu Picchu, the most important and beautiful legacy of the ancient Peruvian, is part of the Historic Sanctuary of the same name, which is also one of the few places in the Americas placed on both the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Lists by UNESCO. It is located high on top of a mountain and complements the exuberant nature that surrounds it, creating a one of a kind place in the world.

This is a difficult question to answer as it depends on tastes and the comforts the visitor requires.

Peruvians tend to haggle prices, and accept that others haggle also, except in major stores and restaurants. In the bigger cities, prices can be higher, especially in Lima; in addition, prices can rise in the high season, such as the Independence Day holidays (late July), Easter Week (April) or Christmas, due to heavy demand, especially in bus and plane tickets.

Below you can see a list of prices of products and services that yo can take as a reference to prepare you budget.

At 07/2011 $1 = S/.2.75 (exchange money)

Your better buy in the supermarket, is cheap.

Peru is a vast country split from north to south by the Andes, and is covered by the Amazon jungle to the east. Temperatures can vary from one city to another, depending on the time of year.

It almost never rains on the Peruvian coast, and in general, there are two marked seasons: hot and cold. The hot season runs from around mid-November to end-March. The cold weather generally lasts from late April to mid-November, with high humidity.

In the highlands and the jungle, unlike the coast, the rain season is the warmest time of year, lasting from mid-November to end-March. Temperatures are cooler from April to mid-November.

Below we show you a picture of climate in cities:

In Peru we believe in the concept “tourism for everyone”, and several state and private entities have been working for several years to create services for the handicapped.

There is a pamphlet that contains information on access for the handicapped in the cities of Cuzco, Iquitos, Lima and Trujillo.

For more information, please download

We recommend asking operators before traveling to be sure that your needs can be met.

Of course, we would say yes, but with an eye on the reality.

Visitors will probably have seen on the news, read on websites or in the newspapers about terrorism, crime and political and economic instability in Peru in recent years. But we also know that several years ago Peru managed to put down terrorism, and today the country is at peace. The country is now working hard to build a stable democracy. All travelers have to do is to take the same normal precautions as when traveling to any tourist destination.

In the cities:

• Take the normal precautions to guard against purse snatchers.
• Carry a copy of identification documents. Keep originals and your valuables in the safety deposit box of your hotel.
• Carry valuables discreetly. Do not carry large amounts of cash. Keep an eye on your bags and luggage.
• Do not exchange money out in the street.
• It is recommendable to use taxi companies ( call by phone) or those permitted by municipalities (in Lima are painted yellow and have a bright cap on the roof).

Tourism by Road:

• Always carry your driver·s license, a copy of your passport and if the vehicle is rented, the rental contract. International driver·s licenses are valid in Peru for a year, while a license from country of origin is valid for 30 days.
• If a traffic policeman signals you to stop, do so. He must be wearing a proper uniform and his ID (his last name must appear on a badge over his chest).
• Police may not enter your vehicle.
• Bear in mind that neither your documents nor your vehicle may be taken, and under no circumstance give money.
• In case of an accident or a crash, call a traffic policeman. If the vehicle is rented, also call a representative of the insurance company at the car rental company. Wait at the site. Keep windows closed and doors locked.

Prohibitions:

It is terminally prohibited to photograph airports, military bases, areas near electricity pylons and police stations.

Visas are not necessary for citizens from most countries in the Americas and Western Europe.

Citizens of Bolivia, Ecuador and Chile do not need either a passport or a visa to enter certain regions of Peru.

Check with the Peruvian consulate in your country for further information.

Addresses and telephone numbers are included in the website of the Peruvian Foreign Ministry: www.rree.gob.pe

Visitors entering Peru for tourism are granted a 90-day stay, which can be extended by the Immigration Office.

Travelers must bear a valid passport or safe-conduct pass issued by Peruvian immigration authorities.