BEFORE TRAVELLING

VISA & PASSPORT

If you are a U.S. citizen or of the European Community, no visa is required for stays of up to 90 days, but your passport must be valid for six months after the desired permanence in Peru.

On the other hand, if you come from countries in the region such as Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil and Chile, you can enter just by showing your identity card.

Click here for more information on Peruvian consulates and embassies abroad.

HEALTH CARE

Health conditions in Peru are generally good, especially in clinics and hospitals in the capital and major cities.

Even though it is true that to travel to Cusco is not necessary to be vaccinated against yellow fever, if you plan to travel to the jungle, we recommend taking the necessary protective measures against mosquito bites.

 

TRANSPORT

 

In Peru, the taximeters are not used and the prices are not related to the number of passengers. Generally, prices in the city of Cusco are located in a range of 3-6 soles, but if you want more information, you should consult the reference prices at the offices of Iperú before negotiating with taxi drivers.

Iperú Cusco

 

Velazco Astete Airport
(Arrivals hall and main hall)
Phone: (084) 23-7364
Monday-Sunday 6:00 – 17:00 hours

iperucuscoapto@promperu.gob.pe

Machu Picchu (INC building)
Av. Pachacutec cuadra 1 s/n, of. 4
P/fax: (5184) 211 104
iperumachupicchu@promperu.gob.pe
Monday-Saturday 9:00 – 13:00 y 14:00 – 18:00 hours

Sunday 9:00 – 13:00 hours

 

CUSCO

 

The city of Cusco, located at 3,400 meters above sea-level and former capital of the Inca Empire, was declared Cultural Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO in 1983 and is with no doubt one of the most important in Peru. Through its cobblestone streets are discovered Incan buildings, next to colonial buildings of Baroque Andean style.

Click Here to learn more about the touristic sites in Cusco.

WEATHER

The ideal months to visit Cusco are from June to October since you will find a bright sunshine from early morning.

The rainy season starts in the month of November, a period which runs until March, so we recommend during these months, always carry a raincoat or an umbrella.

Even though it is true that to travel to Cusco is not necessary to be vaccinated against yellow fever, if you plan to travel to the jungle, we recommend taking the necessary protective measures against mosquito bites.

 

 

TEMPERATURES IN FAHRENHEIT

 

 

MACHU PICCHU

 

Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, is one of the most famous examples of Inca architecture. It is located 112 km from the city of Cusco (a 3 ½ hour journey by train) and 2.350 meters above sea-level.

The ruins are located in the middle of a lush rainforest and it is believed that they had been built in the mid-fifteenth century by the Inca Pachacutec. Lost in history, the ruins were not discovered until 1911 with the arrival of the American explorer Hiram Bingham.

 

Click Here to learn more about the citadel.

WEATHER

Since Machu Picchu is located at a lower height than Cusco, the Inca citadel weather increases a few degrees.

TOURS

When you arrive to Machu Picchu, we suggest you hire a tour at the gates of the citadel. The cost of this tour will vary depending on the number of people in the group and will last approximately two hours, then giving you enough time to tour the citadel at your own pace.

WAYNA PICCHU

The Wayna Picchu, eternal guardian of the Inca citadel, is the highest mountain seen in the typical picture of Machu Picchu, and climb to the summit is an unforgettable experience. The difficult climb takes approximately two hours and is done from the main square of Machu Picchu, along a road built by the Incas themselves, and which now is very well marked and in good condition.

If you want to be part of this unique experience in life, we recommend you arrive very early and go directly to Wayna Picchu to reserve a place, as the number of visitors allowed per day is 400 (in 2009) and is not allowed to enter after 13:00.

It is important to mention that to climb, you must sign a register with names and documents, so there is evidence that you have entered voluntarily. Also, you should not carry a big backpack, but plenty of water.

This route is not recommended for the elderly, pregnant women, people with heart disease or afraid of heights.

INCA TRAIL

Machu Picchu is with no doubt the most important exhibition of the extraordinary Inca civilization. For the pilgrims and authorized officers of the Empire that wanted to access the citadel, it was necessary to travel El camino Real (The Royal road) through the rugged Andean geography. Today, this road is known as the Inca trail.

Surrounded by stunning natural beauty and unforgettable views, this road used to run over 23 thousand kilometers, integrating the Tawantinsuyo Empire, that covered southern Colombia, western Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, coming to central Chile and northern Argentina.

Today, you can make this unforgettable journey through valleys, rivers, tunnels and bridges, in one of the six existing routes (up to 39 kilometers). To do this, contact a travel agent and reserve your space in advance

To learn more about the various routes and rates, clic here.

 

TOURIST TICKET

 

The Cusco Tourist Ticket is one of the most important initiatives for the Cusco tourism development. This ticket allows access through a single payment and different circuits to almost all the attractions of this city.

It can be purchased at the following address:

 

Galerías Turísticas

Av. El Sol 103 Of. 101, Cusco
Phone / fax: (5184) 227 037

For more information about the Tourist Ticket check COSITUC website.

If you want to know the independent rates of archaeological sites,visit the INC Web site

 

SOROCHE

 

No matter at what time of the year you make your trip, be prepared to deal with altitude sickness, known in Perú as Soroche. This does not usually affect too much if you make a proper acclimatization, so you should consume coca tea and spend your first day in Cuzco to rest and avoid engaging in activities that require physical effort.

 

USEFUL INFORMATION

BUS TO MACHU PICCHU

When you arrive to Aguas Calientes, you have two options to climb to the Machu Picchu citadel, on foot or by bus.

If you want to walk up this 6 kilometers road, it will take no more than 1 hour.

 

You can also take one of the 20 buses that travel the winding road and that depart every 15 minutes. The first one leaves at 5:30, while the last one returns at 17:30.

 

The value of the bus trip is about $ 14 (round trip) and can be purchased at the Ticket Office in Aguas Calientes, or CONSSETUR, which offices are located at Avenida Pardo, Cusco.

ELECTRICAL VOLTAGE

The voltage in Peru is 220 volts of 60 cycles, so we recommend checking the voltage that your electrical appliances operate with before connecting them to the plugs. It is important to note that most hotels of 3 or more stars have 110 volt electrical outlets.

STUDENT

To access this special rate, you must present your university card.

ADMISSION TO MACHU PICCHU

If you only want to purchase the entry ticket to the Machu Picchu citadel please enter:
www.machupicchu.gob.pe
You may also purchase the entry ticket at tour Point of Sale located at the Plaza the Armas in Cusco. Otherwise you can purchase it at various ticket offices located in Wanchaq, Poroy and Ollantaytambo, as long as you buy a train ticket.

INC Cusco
Calle San Bernardo s/n

Phone: (5184) 23 6061 – 23 5329 – 23 2971