GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT CUSCO

mapa cuscoCusco was the capital of Inca Empire Many believe that the city was planned to be shaped like a puma. The city had two sectors: the urin and hanan, which were further divided to each encompass two of the four provinces, Chinchasuyu (NW), Antisuyu (NE), Cuntisuyu (SW), and Collasuyu (SE). A road led from each of these quarters to the corresponding quarter of the empire. Each local leader was required to build a house in the city and live part of the year in Cusco, but only in the quarter of Cuzco that corresponded to the quarter of the empire he had territory in. After Pachacuti, when an Inca died his title went to one son and his property was given to a corporation controlled by his other relatives, so each title holder had to build a new house and add new lands to the empire, in order to own any home and the land his family needed to maintain it after his death. Andean Indians still abandon their homes and build new ones when they marry, even if no one remains in the house.

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According to Inca legend, the city was built by Sapa Inca Pachacuti, the man who transformed the Kingdom of Cusco from a sleepy city-state into the vast empire of Tahuantinsuyu. But archaeological evidence points to a slower, more organic growth of the city beginning before Pachacuti. There was however a city plan, and two rivers were channeled around the city.

POST – COLUMBIAN CUSCO

cusco peruThe first Spaniards arrived in the city on November 15, 1533. Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, officially discovered Cuzco on March 23, 1534, naming it the "Very noble and great city of Cusco". The many buildings constructed after the Spanish conquest are of Spanish influence with a mix of Inca architecture, including the Santa Clara and San Blas barrios. The Spanish undertook the construction of a new city on the foundations of the old Inca city, replacing temples with churches and palaces with mansions for the conquerors. During the colony, the city of Cuzco was very prosperous thanks to the agriculture, cattle raising, mining as well as the trade with Spain. This allowed the construction of many churches and convents, and even a Cathedral, University and an Archbishopric. Often, Spanish buildings were juxtaposed atop the massive stone walls built by the Inca.

CUSCO  THROUGT HISTORY

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.

history cuzcoThe city of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca 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.

ALTITUDE

Present temperature:

Capital: Cusco (3399 masl / 11.156 fasl)
Altitude: Lowest point: 532 masl / 1745 fasl (Pilcopata)
Highest point: 4801 masl / 15.751 fasl (Suyckutamb

 

 

WEATHER

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 clima cuscooccasional snowfalls.

April – September: dry and sunny
Octuber – March : rainy and variable.
Cusco has an anual average temperatura of 11°
Altitud : 3399 msnm (metres over the sea level)

 

ACCESS ROUTES

DISTANCES

TIME

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
 

DISTANCES FROM DE CITY OF CUSCO :

 

DISTANCES

TIME

Acomayo
104,5 km (65 miles)
3 hours
Anta
26 km (16 miles)
30 minutes
Calca
50 km (31 miles)
1 hour and 15 minutes
Yanaoca
165 km (103 miles)
3 hours
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
64 km (40 miles)
2 hours
Paucartambo
109 km (68 miles)
3 hours
Urcos (Province of Quispicanchi)
46 km (29 miles)
40 minutes
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: Reservas@perurail.
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.




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Testimonials

May 8, 2010

There is nothing  this group could  have done to make my trip more enjoyable
The guide  was always there  to assist me when I needed assistance which was frequently. Jorge the guide was extremely knowledgeable about the whole trip
The whole group was very friendly made me feel  home
The chef exceeded  all expectations I had about food.  I cannot describe how good Ceferino was with food  in an outdoor location- I would like to see what he could do in a restaurant

Mr. Barber

May 5, 2010

The tour guide coped excellently with a varied group . Full + clear explanations were given along the trail. Good sense of humor
Excellent punctuality. Keen to explain part of interest . Enthusiastic, cheerful and helpful
A special thank you to the porters who do an amazing job with courtesy and good humor
The food was FANTASTIC!! Amazing  food produced in very basic conditions. The food surpassed all expectations
Super tents! Dinning tent was fisrt calss

The Inca Trail has been the experience of my life

Miss Phillys Paddock

May 5, 2010

Exellent!! Exellent!! Exellent!!
Fantastic, wonderful team, beautiful surroundings, stunning hike made perfect by this caring team!!
Everything has been perfect. I am so impressed with everything !!, Ruben was friendly, knowledgeable  and considerate.
Wilmer was just so sweet ! good knowledge
Fantastic meals! Varied, tasty, beautifully presented!  Beats most  restaurants in Cusco!!

Mrs. Hilde Harrison

April 28, 2010

Alex is a fantastic guide  from the moment we started  the trek he helped us  have a great experience , always telling us: “ there’s no rush “ and “have a positive attitude” . He is very knowledgeable!
Victor is fantastic cheff. He could open his own restaurant , the food was well prepared , well presented , healthy and tasty

Mr. Simon Couled

April 23, 2010

English was amazing , very knowledgeable  as a tour guide , very accommodating to a older trekker (68), a hard working person – very courteous
Food was just  EXELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!, it was well served  - artistic – different
The whole services was equal + better than two other American services I have used

Mr. Dennis Collette

April 21, 2010

The guide was very punctual at all times, helpful and friendly, his knowledge on all parts of the trek is excellent. All the equipment was in good order and very clean, tents were already pitched and made ready for our use

Miss Mary Pemberton

April 21, 2010

Jamil was very friendly, his help on the trek was invaluable as we were rather slow, he encouraged all the way, his knowledge was great specially with flora. The food was excellent , we were all very impressed with what was produced in such a difficult  circumstances, quantity were more than enough and cleanliness was perfect

Mr. Vivianne Perry

March 3, 2010

It was a perfect tour. I enjoyed every moment , It was carefully organized. Our guide was very attentive  and experienced, the English level  was excellent  and it was a welcoming and kind host ship. We had information about local culture, plants what made tour incredible and unforgettable.
I liked food, it was sophisticated, tasteful, meal times were joyful and delicate.
The equipment was good
Everything was environmentally  sensitive , very responsible. Events were planed carefully

Mrs. Hayriye Elbi

March 3 , 2010

A memorable trip – due to the  nature, history; guide very calm and  knowledgeable , made us feel safe; told many stories and plants and nature ……. Very enjoyable!!
Wonderful trip, amazing, difficult trek with a very experienced guide, nice Peruvian people, very helpful and warm!

Mrs. Berna Uluc

March 1. 2010

Alex was an excellent tour guide, he was very knowledgeable and helpful. He made this experience even more memorable. He went out  of his way to tailor and suit the tour to our needs and our liking
Victor did an outstanding job  with all the meals . The food was delicious and even the presentation was beautiful
I was very impressed with the quality of all the equipment

Miss Alejandra Muffler