Cuzco Travel Forum

I am taking the bar exam this July and am planning to see my family in Guayaquil Ecuador in August. I wanted to go to Machu Picchu from there. I know I need to arrive in Cuzco and then I am all set. I have heard about taking a bus from Guayaquil to Tumber in Peru or Mancora in Peru but I have no idea how long it takes. Once I arrive to either of those town, where do I go from there? If you have any knowledge or any suggestions to make it to Machu Picchu in the most economical way (from Ecuador), I would really appreacite it.
Do you know anything about Peru Rail? Is it safe? Or am I just better off flying from Guayaquil to Cuzco?

Thanks.
Veronica

You will have to pass through Lima anyway, by bus or air. It is 18 hours by bus from Tumbes/Mancora to Lima and then another 18 hours to Cusco.
www.cruzdelsur.com
For more info, details and websites you may want to check my Peru transportation pages.

There will be an expansive land coverage for this trip which makes it a time-consuming one.

Check out this website and see if it helps you in any way:
http://www.enjoyperu.com/

It allows you to compare domestic flights in Peru via "APUNAKE" (click on right-hand side of the home page screen), where there are various air carriers to choose from.

I used Peru Rail (aka Orient Express) for my Cusco-Puno trip and it was a safe and great experience with lots of stunning scenery along the way. The tourist class is overpriced, but the "backpacker" ticket is an economical option with pricing that can't be beat! Here's a link for them:

http://www.orient-express.com/web/tper/journeys/4_53405.jsp

Goodluck & Safe Travels!

Depends how long you have. I did that similar trek but in about three months staying many places along the way. I did it though from Cuzco up to Montanita going through Guayaquil. I mainly used buses, but did not travel more than 8 hours per day. The only time I took a flight was from Ayacucho to Lima. I went from Cuzco through Apurimac to Ayacucho. Then Lima, Huaraz, Chimbote (skip this place), Trujillo (Huanchaco), Chiclayo, Piura (Piura is not so nice, Catacaos is nice), Mancora is awesome if you love the ocean and so is Punta Sal, Tumbes, Guayaquil, Montanita.

If you are not into seeing the north you can get to Tumbes and take a plane from there to Lima. Going straight through I think by land is about 30 hours. From Lima to Cuzco by bus is trek (long journey), but you can cut it down by going through Nazca, Arequipa, Puno and then Cuzco.

Good luck and I hope I was of some help.