Departamento de Cusco Travel Forum

We are planning to visit Sacred Valley from Cusco. I know that a private taxi can be hired for the day for around $50-$60. Is it possible to also hire a guide to go with our group of 4-5 people? If so, approximately how much does it cost and how do you go about arranging for a guide to join us? Thank you!

I have read that you can hire a guide at the entrance to Machu Picchu. Is this correct? We are planning to stay in Aguas Calientes the night before so we can be at Machu Picchu at sunrise the following morning. We'd like to hire someone and would like to know how easy it is to find a knowledgeable guide and approximately how much it will cost. If you have any info or tips, thank you!

Hi there! Has anyone heard about a new show in Cusco??

There are 2-5 of us traveling to Cusco/Machu Picchu in mid-August. We would prefer to remain independent rather than traveling as part of a tour group. We are thinking of spending Wednesday in Cusco, Thursday in the Sacred Valley, Friday at Machu Picchu, and returning to Cusco/Lima on Saturday. We would like to spend nights in Cusco (Wednesday), Pisac or Ollantaytambo (Thursday), and Aguas Calientes (Friday). Where can I find information on buses or taxis between Cusco and the Sacred Valley?? I know we can take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. Also, is it possible to hire a guide for Machu Picchu without being part of a tour?

I am planning my trip to Machu Picchu for early September and am wondering if it is worth spending the night in Aguas Calientes before I explore the ruins. I've read that it's not worth spending much time in Aguas Calientes, so don't plan that. I was thinking of going spending the night, explore the ruins, then take the train back to Cusco that evening. Do you believe it is worth spending the night so that I can get up early and beat most of the crowds to the ruins? Are the buses or other transport operating before the trains arrive from Cusco? Any advice would be much appreciated!

Cheers!

I am planning to get engaged in Machu Pichu. What recomendations would you give me? Is there a specific place I should pop the question? Can I take a Champagne Bottle with me? Please give me as much advice as possible. This will happen in 2 weeks and I don't have a plan of what to do once i get there....

Hi,
I am thinking about studying Spanish in Cusco for a few weeks. However, I am DEATHLY afraid of cockroaches, especially the big ones. Are there alot of them in Cusco? Do they fly?
I know it is a silly fear because they can't hurt me but for some reason they paralyze me with terror.

Gracias a todos!
Dove

I'm thinking of traveling from arequipa to cusco on the night bus via cruz del sur. I've read in the travel guides and some forums that it is NOT safe to travel by night. I'm alone. Can anyone advise?

Can we drive to Aguas Caliente? If not where is the closest point we can leave our vehicle. Thank you. Terry Smith

Hello all

At the start of May I'll be spending a few days in Lima, 4 days taking in Cusco and the sacred valley, then we head on on a 4 day incan trail hike. After we return from Machu Picchu we'll have 5 full days to play with.

What i'm looking to do is something a little off the tourist path( eg. hike out to little known/visited ruins) I looked at trekking to espiritu pampa but just don't have the time. Lake Titicaca seems to get varying reviews and the train schedule to Puno doesn't really fit into my schedule very well. Can anybody offer up any suggestions?

Thanks in advance
Adam

Hello!
We will bein Peru in July. We are trying to book our roundtrip from Ollayantambo to M.P.on perurail and cannot get the transaction to complete.We've even tried using different credit cards. Has anyone experienced this? Does anyone konw what the fix/trick is to completing the payment transaction?

ˇgracias!

What would the "typical" weather be like in March for the Machu Picchu area?

Hi everyone,

how can I get from Cosco to Nasca and back in early December? Is there a safe bus? How long does it take? Or is there an option of flying?

Thank you very much for your answers.

Kiki

i am arriving in cusco on a saturday and staying until tuesday.i wish to take a train to machu picchu that monday.my question is,will the agency that sells the train tickets be open on the weekend?thanks!

is it uncommon to travel from cusco to Machu Picchu and back to cusco in one day? keep in mind that i am traveling by train.thankyou.

My husband and I are taking my elderly parents (83 and 82) to Peru and are going to Cusco and Machu Picchu. I am concerned about the effects of altitude sickness for them. Can anyone advise?

Thanks in advance!

I plan on conducting research around Quillabamba, Peru this summer (June-July). What are my options for finding a place to stay for about 2 months? Are there places in Quillabamba proper or will I need to find accomodations nearby? I am also open to staying with people in the community if there are opportunities available. Please let me know of the approximate cost or if you know of property that could be rented for a couple months. Thanks!

P.S. Any information about Quillabamba transportation would be helpful too.

Hi,

I'll be in Cusco sometime in April and I'm wondering if I need to pre book the alternative treks or can I just show up in Cusco and book one there. Obviously it's too late to do the Inca Trail but do the Salkantay and Choquequirao treks sell out fast as well?
Apologies if this has been asked before, I'm accessing VT from a very slow connection in Bolivia and it's quicker to just ask the question thanread all the previous posts.
Thanks,
Barry

Hi:

I am trying to buy tix for April in the perurail website from Cuszo to MP, and it's proving to be challenging. I tried about a half-dozen times. When I clicked on purchase, it claimed that my session expired.

Has anyone else had difficulty recently. Also, is it easy to buy tickets in-country?

Thanks!

What's the weather like in early July? What should I wear?

I have my train ticket already but not my bus ticket or a guide. Can I purchase the bus ticket when I get off the train? And also, can I book a guide when I reach the ruins?

I am arriving in Cusco at around 6am. I was wondering what the best way was to get to Pisac. The hotel we are staying at offered to send a cab to meet us at the airport for $20. Can I get a better deal directly at the airport???

Any suggestions are appreciated!

Thanks
MLW

Does anyone know if it possible for just one person to join an existing group to hike the 2 or 4 day Inca trail. Where can I sign up?

Hello,

I am planning a surprise trip to machu picchu and inca trail for my husband for his 30th birthday. My budget is limited, but I want him to have time of his life. He enjoys adventure and walking.(sleeping in tents, cooking, traking...) Has anyone got any tips on travelling from UK? Flight tips, package deals better then buying flight separately? has anyone gone there with Lama travel agency? Is anyone there who went on their own?
I am sorry for so many questions, but I really need help please.
many thanks
Blanka

Hi Friends,


We will travel from Lima To Arequipa first and stay there two days. After we fly to JUliaca and stay there two days and after we fly to Cusco for additional two days.



What is Your advice avoid the high altitude sickness?

Hey there...
i´m going to Peru in June and was thinking to go to Machu Pichu in the beginning of July, but on the Homepage of PeruRail they say that there are no tickets available anymore from cuszco to MP.... does anybody know if its then still possibile to buy tickets once arrived in Peru or are they really sold out??? Is there any other possibility to go there?? Taxi?
Tanks a lot... Daniela

Hi There!

I am going on holidays to Peru in June with some friends. I've read in several articles that Machu Picchu in June can get really crowded...

So, do i need to make a booking to go there or something like that...? I will be travelling through the country to different locations and i was planning to go there in one of the days. Do i have to decide previously when exactly i will go there? Do i need any booking, ticket or reservation...?
Also, can i go by my own or do i have to book it with a local travel agency...?

Thanks a lot for your help!

I have seen many people say that you cannot use metal tipped walking poles because of damage to the trail, but I am not clear whether you can use rubber tipped poles. I know you can buy wooden poles cheaply there, but what do you do with them after ? I wont need it again this trip and I can't imagine the airlines would be happy about me taking it back to England, no matter how nice a souvenir it is.

Hello travelers,

We have already the Inca Trail Permits for June and would like to hear your packing advices as well about good places to buy Perunian itens - warm clothes (and others) for the treck are available? Where? For what price?
Did you used your sticks for the hike or rent special ones there?

Thanks,
Alexandra

I will be heading to Cuzco in June and been checking on airfare from CUZ - GIG (or any airport around RIO) it seems the airfare isn't very cheap and the cheapest I got is from LAN. The question is when I click on other countries the price differ from LAN Peru local site. Or are there any other airline which flies from CUZ - LIM - GIG.

Also how far is it from Cuzco to Machu Picchu and what is the best if I am travelling with my baby, 14months then.

Thanks.