General Data
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.
ALTITUDE
Capital: Cusco (3399 masl / 11.156 fasl)
Altitude: Lowest point: 532 masl / 1745 fasl (Pilcopata)
Highest point: 4801 masl / 15.751 fasl (Suyckutambo)
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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 occasional snowfalls.
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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)
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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
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DIRECTORY
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AIRPORT
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
Avenida Velasco Astete, Cusco. Telephone: (084) 22-2611
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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
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RAILWAY SERVICE
Wanchaq Station - Service to Puno: Avenida Pachacutec, Cusco. Telephone: (084) 23-8722 / 22-1992. Email: Reservas@perurail.com Web site: http://www.perurail.com
San Pedro Station - Service to Machu Picchu: Calle Ccascaparo, Cusco
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HEALTH CENTERS
Regional Hospital: Avenida De la Cultura, Cusco. Telephone: (084) 22-3691
Hospital Antonio: Lorena. Plazoleta Belén 1358, Cusco. Telephone: (084) 22-6511
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LOCAL POLICE
Tourism Police: Calle Shapy 510, Cusco. Telephone: (084) 24-9654
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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.
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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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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: iperucuscoapto@promperu.gob.pe
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: iperucusco@promperu.gob.pe
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: iperumachupicchu@promperu.gob.pe
