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Cusco
Cusco (also spelled Cuzco, and in the local Quechua language as Qusqu IPA: ['qos.qo]) is a city in southeastern Peru, near the Urubamba Valley (Sacred Valley) of the Andes mountain range. It is the capital of the Cusco Region as well as the Cusco Province. The city has a population of 348,935 which is triple the figure of 20 years ago. Located on the eastern end of the Knot of Cusco, its altitude is around 3,300 m (10,800 ft). Cusco is the historic capital of the Inca Empire.
Name
Upon the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, the Quechua name ("Qosqo") was transliterated into Spanish as "Cusco", which is how it appears on maps from the 17th and 18th centuries. On maps from the 19th century (as early as 1810) and through the mid-20th century (until at least 1976), the name appears as "Cuzco". Today, in official Peruvian cartography (in Spanish) the name has returned to the original transliteration: Cusco, with an S rather than a Z.
In English, both S and Z are accepted, as there is no "official" spelling Both British and American variants use S or Z. The Encyclopaedia Britannica writes "Cuzco".
History
The origins of Cusco are lost in the dark night of pre-history. Archaeological excavations reveal that a primitive population already lived in the area around 3 thousand years ago. There is documented information about the cultures of Chanapata and Marcavalle. Their constructions even served as bases for Inca temples such as Qoricancha (the Temple of the Sun).
There are many legends about the origin of the Twantinsuyo (the Inca). One of them tells how, Manco Cápac and his sister and wife Mama Ocllo, half gods and children of the Inti father (the god of the sun), emerged from the waters of Lake Titicaca with the mission to found a new Kingdom that would improve the conditions of life in the towns.
Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo had to walk until they found a place where the big sceptre of gold that Manco Cápac carried would sink into the earth. They walked to the north and arrived in Pacárec Tampu (Pacaritambo) where they rested in a small cave; at sunset they continued their trip to the north until they arrived at the Huanacaure hill and there the sceptre disappeared into the ground and they founded the city of Cusco (the navel of the world).
It is known that the cultures of the highlands such as the Wari and Tiahuanaco had a big influence on the Inca culture. The first residents formed the Hanan Cusco with more developed agriculture and archaeological technology. Inhabitants of other districts, informed of their successes, submitted to the Incas and thus Tahuantisuyo arose, the great empire of the Incas, which after 14 successors of royal lineage, stretched from to the north of Colombia, and Chile to the south of Argentina. Throughout this period the Inca capital city of Cusco reached a magnificent splendour.
Of the first Incas we know little more than names and legends, known as the myths of the Incas. We have some more information starting with Pachacútec ("he who moves the earth"), the great conqueror, who also transformed Cusco and reconstructed it. The greatest part of the archaeological monuments which we know of in Cusco were his works. His son Tupac Llupanki was also a great conqueror; his grandson Waynacapac gave the empire splendour. However it was Pachacútec´s great-grandchildren Huáscar and Atahuallpa that were involved in internal struggles when the Spaniards arrived and occupied the city in 1533. With the support of Inca dominated towns, which saw the Spaniards as liberators, the Spanish conquered with ease.
Cusco was at this time a city of admirable stone architecture with wide squares, big temples and palaces decorated with abundant pieces of gold. Many of these colossal constructions are still standing.
Spanish Cusco built its foundations on Inca walls and followed the lines of Incas streets. They built several buildings, churches and founded a flourishing school of art (17th - 18th centuries), represented by several painters and artists (paintings of the Cusqueña School, the pulpit of San Blas, the custody of the Cathedral and the church of La Merced, etc.). The mix of Andean and Spanish cultures has given Cusco´s architecture and population very special characteristics. It is a city of incomparable beauty that conserves its customs and traditions with pride, while at the same time it is gradually adapting itself to modernity.
To this one must add the privileged geographic situation and the amazing landscapes that Cusco grew in the midst of. Cusco is the most frequently visited tourist destination in Peru, and the richness of the attractions of the city and the surrounding area, such as the Lost City of the Incas (Machu Picchu) make it one of the principal tourist spots in the world, offering excellent quality in tourist services.
Sights
The original Inca city, said to have been founded in the 11th century, was sacked by Pizarro in 1535. There are still remains, however, of the palace of the Incas, the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Virgins of the Sun. There are still Inca building remains and foundations, which in some cases have proved to be stronger than the foundations built in present-day Peru. Among the most noteworthy buildings of the city is the cathedra of Santo Domingo.
The major nearby Inca sites are Pachacuti's presumed winter home, Machu Picchu, which can be reached on foot by a Inca trail or by train; the "fortress" at Ollantaytambo; and the "fortress" of Sacsayhuaman.
Other less-visited ruins include: Inca Wasi, the highest of all Inca sites at 3,980 m (13,134 ft); Old Vilcabamba the capital of the Inca after the capture of Cusco; the sculpture garden at Chulquipalta (aka Chuquipalta, Ñusta España, The White Rock, Yurak Rumi); as well as Huillca Raccay, Patallacta, Choquequirao, Moray and many others.
The surrounding area, located in the Huatanay Valley, is strong in agriculture, including corn, barley, quinoa, tea and coffee and gold mining.
Parade through Plaza De ArmasThanks to remodelling, Cusco's main stadium, Estadio Garcilaso de la Vega, attracted many more tourists during South America's continental soccer championship, the Copa América 2004 held in Peru. The stadium is home to one of the country's most successful soccer clubs, Cienciano. Cusco's local team has made a name for itself in the world of club soccer, as it has won several international competitions in South America, although it has yet to achieve such success in its home country. Nonetheless, it is still considered to be one of the best teams in Peru. The team is strongly supported throughout Cusco; men without a set at home will stand in the street and watch the game on televisions in shop windows. Tickets are sought-after and buying them entails long queueing.
The city is served by Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport.
Weather
The weather on April to October is very comfortable, warm and dry. The temperature in this season goes from 5.0º to 20º Celsius.
This rainy season starts on November and it lasts until May; at the beginnings of this season, the rain is light and as the season continues the rain becomes more intense during the months of January through March.
There isn’t too much uniformity between summer and winter. Normally in winter is cold at night and during the first hours in the morning the temperature raises until the noon. At sunny days the temperature reaches 20ºC.
We recommend to tourists, to take warm clothing and also rain wear to the rainy season.
Cusco, it’s under the influence of macro-climate of huge air masses that come from the southeast jungle, as well as the Peruvian-Bolivian table winds are colder and drier, just like the winds that come from Patagonia, going into the southeast area and in general, makes climate events to huge scale. In the other hand, the local winds that are made in its valleys and in its plains, have the function of distributing heat and humidity along the day.
The average temperature fluctuates between 10.3ºC and 13ºC (between 50.54º and 52.34º Fahrenheit); but these temperatures fluctuate according the zone.
Weather Diversity in Cusco:
Humid Climates :
Pillcopata and Araza Valleys have an average temperature of approximately 30º at the highest, an average of 23º and 25º and an average of 20º at the lowest temperature.
Dry Climates:
In Apurimac River basin, the temperature has an average between 17º and 18º. It has a maximum temperature of 32º and a minimum temperature of 4.4º.
Warm Climates: (humid and dry climates)
The inter-Andean valleys (central area of the territory) has a varied climate because it has humid and dry weather that has a average temperature rank between 11º and 16º in seasons in which the maximum temperature increases to 29º and it may decrease to 7º and -4º.
Cold Climates: (Humid and dry climates)
The weather is also humid and dry in the highlands (12467 feet above the level sea). Here the temperatures reach an average according to the altitude. The highest temperatures reach 10º and the lowest below 0º. So we advise you to keep you warm and never underestimate the Cusquenian weather.
http://www.senamhi.gob.pe
http://www.weather.yahoo.com
Food
As headquarters to the Inca Empire, Cusco was an important agricultural region and a natural reserve for thousands of native Peruvian species, including hundreds of potato varieties.
More recently, thanks to Peruvian and foreign cooks, Cusco has begun to offer many fusion and neo-Andean restaurants in which the cuisine, prepared with modern techniques and incorporating a blend of traditional Andean and international ingredients, delivers an innovative, exciting dining experience. Cusco is one of the Andean cities in which visitors can taste many spices, of different origins, and agricultural produce, mostly organic, treated and grown in environmental friendly and traditional ways, frequently using ancient techniques such as the "Chaquitaclla" (foot plough).
Tourist Directory
Industry and Turism Regional Address
Address: Av. de la Cultura 734, 3rd floor.
Telephones: 22-3701 / 22-3761 / 22-2032 / 22-7147.
Tourism information Office
Address: Mantas Street 188 (Nex toMerced Church).
Service hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturdays from 8:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.
Telephone: 26-3176.
Tourism information in the International Arrival room in the International Airport Velasco Astete de Cusco
Service hours: Every day: 6:30 a.m.
Tourism information – Bus Station
Service hours: Monday to Friday: 7:00 a 10:00 a.m. – 14:00 a 18:30 p.m.
Saturdays: 07:00a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Protection Service for the Tourist (INDECOPI)
Address: Portal Carrizos 250, Plaza de Armas.
Service hours: Monday through Sunday from 8:00a.m. to 8:00p.m.
Telephone: 25-2974 / 23-4498.
Telephone: 22-2611 Office at the airport.
Decentralized Office - Indecopi
Address: La Cultura Avenue 732 - A.
Telephone. 25-2987
OFEC The tourist ticket of Cusco is one of the most important initiatives for the tourism development in Cusco. It’s an integration process in which the Cusquenian institutions decided to join themselves to offer a tourist service in group.
This office is in charge of the sale of the tourism ticket which has access to 16 tourist places, including archeological places, museums, convents and other important attractions such as: The Art Museum and Santa Catalina Monastery, The municipal museum of Contemporary Art, The Regional Historic Museum, Korikancha Museum, Popular Art Museum, Native Art Qosqo Center, Pachaquteq Monument, and other archeological places such as: Saqsaywaman, Q’enqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, Pisaq, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Tipon and Pikillacta. It’s valid for 10 days.
Address: Sol Avenue 103 Of. 101 Tourism galleries
Telephone: (51 84) 227037- 226919
Fax: (51 84) 227037
E-mail: ofecbtc@sppedy100.com.pe
Service hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 17:30 and Saturdays from 8:30 to 12:30
Address 2: Casa Gracilazo (At the corner)
Telephone: 22-6919
Service hours: From Monday to Saturday from 8:00 to 17:00 and Sunday from 8:00 to 14:00
| Tourist ticket in Cusco until 30st june 2008 | |
| General Ticket | S/ .70.00 |
| Student Tickets (ISIC) | S/ .35.00 |
| Tourist ticket in Cusco As of 1st july 2008 | |
| General Ticket | S/ .130.00 |
| Student Tickets (ISIC) | S/ .70.00 |
Instituto Nacional de Cultura (INC)
It has the mission to investigate, register, defend, preserve, stimulate, value, and spread all the cultural displays of the regional cultural heritage, to contribute the national development with the participation of the community, the private sector and the inter-sectorial integration.
Library Opening Hours: from 8:00 to 13:00 hrs.
Address: San Bernardo w/n Street
Telephone: 24-6074/ 23-2971
Fax: 223831
Entrance fee prices to Machu Picchu:
| Foreign Tourists | National Tourists | ||
| Adult | S/.122.00 | Adult (DNI) | S/.62.00 |
| Student (ISSIC) | S/.61.00 | Student (Student Card) | S/.31.00 |
| You just can buy the tickets in the cultural town of Aguas Calientes and with Nuevos Soles currency from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. | |||
Cusquenians have free entrance fee to Machu Picchu each Sunday showing your DNI.
Entrance fee prices to Inca Trail:
| ROUTE | PRICES 2008 | |
| Adults | Students | |
| Route 1: Km. 82 ( Piscacucho - Huayllabamba - WiñayWuayna) | S/.244.00 | S/.122.00 |
| Route 2: Km. 88 (Qoriwayrachina Huayllabamba-WiñayWuayna - Machupicchu Citadel) | S/.244.00 | S/.122.00 |
| Route 3: Salkantay-Huayllabamba-Wiñaywayna-Machupicchu | S/.244.00 | S/.122.00 |
| Route 4: Km. 82(Piscacucho)-Km.88(Qoriwayrachina)-Pacaymayo Bajo Km. 104(Chachabamba)-Wiñaywayna-Machupicchu | S/.244.00 | S/.122.00 |
| Route 5: Km. 104(Chachabamba)-Wiñaywayna-Machupicchu | S/.142.00 | S/.81.00 |
| Route 6: Salkantay-Huayllabamba-Km.88(Qoriwayrachina) | S/.142.00 | S/.81.00 |
Prom Peru
Tourism Information Service
Biulding Mitinci, piso 13, Street 1 west w/n, Lima 2, Peru
Tel. (01)2243142-2243408-2243271
Tourism Police
In case to suffer, in Cusco City, any accident or emergency (theft, swindle, document loss) please, contact The Tourism Police at Tel. 22-1961 or come to its office in Saphi street, 1st block. Inside, contact the corresponding delegation. Travel Peru, Peru Travel.
Museo de la Nación 2465 - Aviación y Javier Prado - San Borja - Lima
Telephone (01) 4767708
Migration Office
España Av. 700, Lima, Telephone (01) 3304020.
Travelers Checks Cancellation (Lima)
Thomas Cook: Tel. (00 51 1) 241 5567; (00 51 1)444 5175
American Express: Tel.001 800 860 2908
Credit Card Cancellation (Lima)
Visa: Tel. (00 51 1) 421 2195; (00 51 1) 441 3112; (00 51 1) 427 2112;(00 51 1) 428 1001
Master Card: Tel. (00 51 1) 444 1891; (00 51 1) 444 1892
American Express: Tel. (00 51 1) 330 4482; (00 51 1) 330 4484
Diners Club: Tel. (00 51 1) 221 2050
Consulates
VISA
You don’t need Visa to people that come from Western Europe, Asia, South America, or North America, Australia, New Zeeland, or South Africa to enter to Peru, buy it is demanded the respective passport upgraded for people that came from India and Fidji in order to obtain the tourist visa, you need a valid passport, two color pictures, and the form of application, and the airline ticket to leave Peru. Also economical proof and pay a determine cost.
In order to enter is necessary a valid passport of at least 6 months, after arriving to the country. If the passport expires once in the country, you could renovate free of charge in the appropriate embassy in Peru, if you run out of pages you could ask for more also in the same embassy of your own country.
To all the people that visit Peru they will relieve upon arrival a card that needs to be completed with all the appropriate information. All cards have a duplicate copy and the office of INS will stay with a copy.
Immigration Office
Address: Av. El Sol
Hour of attention: Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 16:30 hrs.
Telephone: 22-2741.
Consulate of Germany
Address: San Agustín 307 Street
Telephone: 23-5459 / 24-2970
Consulate of Austria
Address: Urb. Magisterio K-1
Telephone: 25-2196.
Consulate of Belgium
Address: Av. El Sol 954
Telephone: 22-4322 / 22-3031.
Consulate of Spain
Address: Av. Pardo 1041.
Consulate of United States
Address: Av.Pardo 845
Telephone: 23-14-74
Consulate of France
Address: Av. Micaela Bastidas 101.
Telephone: 23-3610.
Attention starting at 16:00 hrs.
Consulate of England
Address: Av. Pardo 895
Telephone: 23-9974 / 22-6671.
Mr Barry Walker Mc.Ewen.
Consulate of Italy
Address: Av. Garcilaso 704.
Telephone: 22-8295.
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Trekking
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Adventure
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Rainforest
Peru - Cusco - Machupicchu