Welcome to Cusco the ancient capital of the Incas. Please find a few points below to help you enjoy your stay here. Depending on the nature of your tour these may not all be applicable.
1. PREDEPARTURE MEETING:
Please ask your Amazonas Explorer representative for the time and location of your trip pre-departure meeting. Please bring with you a copy of your passport, a copy of your insurance details, please remember any medical or dietary requirements and any outstanding dollars cash.
2. EATING IN CUSCO
Cusco has got a wide variety of restaurants to chose from the problem is that everybody seems to be opening restaurants all the time and the quality and value for money is very hit and miss. Some of the favourite places we recommend to eat at are the following:
Top end
Chicha owned by the famous Peruvian chef Gaston Acurio takes traditional local cusine and then just blasts it it onto a higher plateau – fantastic food highly recommended especially the night before a day’s mountain biking.
Divina ComidaWith their own live operatic performance and superb food and drinks this place is very hard to beat for atmosphere and food.
Tupananchis This fusion of Andean and International cusine in a very relaxed atmosphere is great. The opportunity to sit on the balcony and watch the world go by adds to it’s desire.
Cicciolina one of the most expensive restaurants in Cusco with a superb wine list to match. It’s food is from a mixture of tapas very rich Peruvian dishes.
Baco owned by the same people as Cicciolina it has the same superb wine list with some reasonably priced main courses to match.
Inka Grill set on the plaza this is one of the original “posh” restaurants
Mid end
Incanto part of a chain of local restaurants, this one is very popular with groups so book early.
Al Grano If you want something different this Asian restaurant offers a blast of flavour at very reasonably priced – we also happen to have our sales office in the basement – Fantastic for the lunch breaks.
Granja Heidi – one of the longest serving and still best value restaurants in Cusco
- A stroll up to the Plaza de Armas is a must. If you require more Cusco information ‘Exploring Cusco’ by Peter Frost a small red book is excellent for ideas.
- Colonial adaptation of Inca sacred sites is obvious all over Cusco. A short walk around the Plaza de Armas, around San Blas and up to San Cristobal highlights a few.
- Shop – Cusco boasts some of the finest and most varied artisan markets in South America. Quality and prices vary greatly and some minor bartering is general practice.
- Eating and drinking is one of the great pleasures of Cusco. Bars and restaurants catering for all tastes and budgets may be found around an area several blocks around the Plaza de Armas.
- The Sunday morning parade in the Plaza de Armas at 10am is an enjoyable spectacle. Here all students, businesses and unions get their chance to march past the Mayor.
- Entrance to the sites of Cusco and the Sacred valley is incorporated in a 130soles ‘Boleto Turistico’. This is valid for most sites and is valid for ten days. Four worthwhile sites not included in this are ‘Coricancha,’ sun temple, The Museo de Inca on Almirante, the Cathedral & the Pre-Columbian Museum in Plaza de las Nazarenas.
- The Sunday market at Pisac 35km away is a wonderful spectacle and shopper’s paradise. Taxis approx. 90 soles return.
- The Inca ruins outlying Cusco may be experienced by horse back or on foot. Sacsayhuaman is the most easily accessed and impressive site situated next to Cristo Blanco on the plateau above Cusco.
- Money changing is up Avenida El Sol and the Plaza. Current exchange rate is approx 2.8 to the US$. (Less for travellers cheques).
- Taxis are 3 sols (6am – 10pm) and 3.5 sols (10pm –6am) everywhere in town above the airport so do not barter just give them the fare. Taxis up to Cristo Blanco (Jesus) and Sacsayhuaman are about 7 – 10 soles.
3. WHAT NOT TO DO IN CUSCO
- You are now at an altitude of 3,300m. Take it easy for a few days while your body adjusts to the lack of pressure and oxygen. Mild symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness are very common these being slight headaches, sleeplessness, dizziness, breathlessness and confusion. Take Mate de Coca and a painkiller, avoid large meals, alcohol, smoking and stop if you over exerting yourself. Severe headaches, severe noisy breathing and unconsciousness are not common – get help immediately you have severe altitude sickness.
- Please drink only bottled water to avoid any stomach problems.
- Please do not put toilet paper down the toilets as it blocks them. Use the bins provided.
- Pickpockets are present in Cusco. Please look after your valuables and do not leave temptation in any hotel room, tent, taxi, restaurant and especially in the markets. Please use the safe in the hotel.
- Take official taxis after dark. Official taxis have yellow hexagonal badges in the windscreen and preferably with telephone number light boards mounted on the roof.
