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Machu Picchu (Cusco - Peru)

Cusco Travel Blog › entry 1 of 2 › view all entries

Cusco (Machu Picchu) Nov 2007

November 21, 2007

Here's some info that may be useful if you are planning to visit Cusco-Machu Picchu:

Cusco is far away from Lima, about 1.15 hours by plane and aprox 22 hs by bus.
If you decide to travel by bus, I recommend to check Cruz del Sur (http://www.cruzdelsur.com.pe/inicio_2.php)
Cusco is located 3,310m (10,860 ft) over sea level.
If altitude sickness is a problem, drink lots of water, and it's okay to drink coca leaves once you get there, it really helps. Rest, avoid heavy meals.
Once you arrive in Cusco, you can take any cab outside the airport; will drive you to the main Square.
Dry Season: from April to October (average temperature of 13° C).
Wet Season: from November to March (average temperature of 12° C)
Inti Raymi, big festivity for the Sun (June 24th)

How to get to Machu Picchu:
There are mainly two ways, the train and the Inca Trail.

By Train:

The train departs very early in the morning, I think the first one departs around 6am, as it takes 4 hours to arrive to Aguas Calientes.
There are different types of trains, but the cheapest one for foreign costs around 48US$. (Check http://www.orient-express.com/web/tper/journeys/4_53409.jsp)
In Aguas Calientes you will have to take a Bus that will drive you up to the top, that costs around 11US$.
The Entrance to Machu Picchu is about US$40.
If you are going back the same day to Cusco, you gotta be careful, as the last train departs around 4pm.
If not, you can stay over at Aguas Calientes enjoy more about Machu Picchu or hike the Wayna Picchu (the mountain that is in front of MP).