Typical Drinks in Cusco

The typical beverage of Cusco, mate de coca or coca tea (from the Quechua kuka mat’i) is an infusion of coca leaves from the Andean regions of Bolivia and Peru, whose presence also includes other Andean countries such as Ecuador and northern Chile, as well as areas of Colombia and all of northern Argentina.

Coca tea is a drink consumed both as a stimulant and as a cure for soroche or mountain sickness. It also has a symbolic value and produces an energizing effect similar to coffee. The sale and consumption of coca leaves is legal in Peru, Colombia and Bolivia, being also very common in the North of Argentina. It is common in restaurants at the end of the meal to offer coca tea in bags or sachets to stimulate digestion. It can be sweetened with sugar or honey.

Emoliente

The emollient is a traditional drink consumed mainly in Peru 🇵🇪 It is traditionally consumed in the mornings or evenings. Different medicinal properties are attributed to it, either for treatment of the digestive, reproductive, respiratory or circulatory system.

The emollient was introduced in Peru during colonial times as a medicinal drink or tizana. In Lima it became so popular that there was an emolientero on practically every street corner.

The emoliente is a drink prepared on the basis of roasted barley grains, medicinal herb extracts, sugar and lemon juice. Among the most commonly used herbs are horsetail, flaxseed, alfalfa, plantain and boldo.

In recent years, the emollient – especially the one sold on the streets in street carts – has been incorporating a series of medicinal plants, some of which have been chosen because of their diuretic properties. Among these plants are cat’s claw, maca, chancapiedra, sangre de grado, muña and aloe vera.

Chicha of Jora or corn

Chicha is the name given to several varieties of beverages derived mainly from the non-distilled fermentation of corn and other cereals originating in America; although also, to a lesser extent, they are usually prepared from the fermentation of different cereals and fruits.

Chicha is a widely consumed beverage in South and Central America. It is usually a beverage elaborated by hand, of mild to medium alcoholic graduation, chicha is also used in agriculture, nowadays, it is still used in the city of the Inca, it is a traditional beverage for the people of the Andes.

Muña tea

The muña is a bush plant native to Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, this drink is very good for an infusion that serves for altitude sickness or soroche. Generally, muña is used in infusions, which are elaborated with its flowers. It has a stimulating effect on the whole organism.

Cusqueña wheat beer

Cusqueña is a Peruvian beer brand and brewery founded in 1908. They produce four varieties: blonde, black, red and wheat lager. It is the Peruvian beer with more international presence.


We have travel agents specialized in Machupicchu tours and they will be able to advise you in planning your next trip to Peru. If you have frequently asked questions about tours to Machu Picchu 2021 do not hesitate to write us at info@peruculturalconnection.com or Whatsapp +51 984 264 215 immediately we will be answering any questions you may have.

Things to do in your Machu Picchu Trip

1.- Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machupicchu Mountain

Both places are located in the archaeological park of Machupicchu and give you different views of the archaeological park. Recommended for people who like adventure and have good physical conditions.

Huayna Picchu; Quechua term meaning “young mountain” is next to Machupicchu Mountain and will give you a panoramic view of the entire archaeological park of Machupicchu. Despite being a very complicated and physically demanding route, reaching the top will be worth all the effort because you will be able to appreciate the splendor of the Inca wonder, nothing better for your Machupicchu tour.

Machupicchu Mountain; Quechua term meaning “old mountain” is less risky but more entertaining, it offers a different view of the archaeological park. The trail is ascending and marks the way through stone steps, all the way you will be accompanied by the lush vegetation. From the top you will have the best picture of the Inca wonder, a must on your trips to Machupicchu.

Both spectacular alternatives to make your Machupicchu tour more adventurous, and you can add it to your Machupicchu travel packages, do not forget that you must purchase your tickets months in advance, as they sell out quickly.

2.- Manuel Chávez Ballón Site Museum

Recommended for those who like history, you can discover the secrets of the Wonder of the Incas. Here are exposed more than 250 pieces found in its scientific discovery. And you can visit it for free with the entrance ticket to Machupicchu. Highlights include ceramic objects, stone, metal, skeletons and replicas of tools from the Inca period. The museum is specifically designed to simulate Inca constructions. Perfect to add to your tours to Machupichu.

3.- Putucusi Mountain

Ideal for those who like adventure, putucusi mountain (happy mountain), is perfect to appreciate the archaeological park of Machupicchu from another angle. It is more accessible than Huaynapicchu or Machupicchu mountain because it is free access, the tour lasts approximately 4 hours due to the complicated terrain (steep paths) and is only recommended for those who have an optimal physical condition. Once at the top you can appreciate all the beauty that surrounds the wonder of the world, undoubtedly you will have the best pictures of the Machupicchu tour.

4.- Mandor Gardens

Ideal for nature lovers. The Mandor Gardens are a perfect place to appreciate native flora and fauna and enjoy the surrounding landscape. The tour lasts approximately 3 hours and along the way you will find a variety of butterflies, endemic birds, orchids and a beautiful waterfall that will be welcoming you at the end of the walk. Ideal for relaxing when traveling to Machupicchu.

5.- Wasi Pillpi Butterfly Farm:

Peru is a megadiverse country and among its many attractions are the butterflies, it has more than 4000 species of butterflies and many of these can be found in Machupicchu, here in addition to appreciate the butterflies you can also interact with them. The visit lasts an average of 30 minutes and you will be accompanied by a guide who will explain everything about the butterflies.

These are just a few options to make the most of your Machupicchu tour. Do not forget that the citadel of Machupicchu is more than history and will be waiting for you to live the best experience of your life.

We have travel agents specialized in Machupicchu tours and they will be able to advise you in planning your next trip to Peru. If you have frequently asked questions about tours to Machu Picchu 2021 do not hesitate to write us at info@peruculturalconnection.com or Whatsapp +51 984 264 215 immediately we will be answering any questions you may have.

The Top Peruvian cities for 2021

White City Arequipa,

The prestigious U.S. media Travel+Leisure included the city of Arequipa in its annual list of the “50 Best Places to Travel in 2020”.

The travel magazine highlights the beauty of the White City and its historic center, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 2000, as well as for its gleaming structures made of ashlar, the opening of new hotels, and also for the cuisine of the picanterias, the view of the volcanoes and its chicha de jora.

Regarding Arequipa’s gastronomy, it is worth remembering that Unesco distinguished Arequipa as one of the 66 creative cities in gastronomy in the world, take a tour to Arequipa to know everything about Arequipa.

The list is compiled based on what’s new in the destination, as well as through surveys of a vast network of Travel+Leisure travel experts, specialized writers, tourism and hospitality experts, as well as other industry professionals to see what places they have their eyes on.

Capital of the imperial Inca Cusco

Cusco is one of the 50 most beautiful cities in the world, highlights Flight Network, one of Canada’s online travel agencies. Peru’s most visited destination was selected after consulting more than 1,000 travel writers, travel bloggers and travel agencies from around the world, who have seen and experienced the best the planet has to offer.

For Flight Network, the capital of the Cusco region surprises for its architectural beauty, resulting from an Inca and Spanish cultural symbiosis, its cobblestone streets, as well as for the living culture that emerges in every corner of this city declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity, on December 9, 1983.

Among the various tourist attractions of unmissable visit in the historic center of the imperial city highlights the Qoricancha or Temple of the Sun, and the neighborhood of San Blas, famous for its extraordinary artisans, these sites can be visited in a City tour Cusco.

In a Cusco tour, it is also recommended to visit the Inca Museum, which treasures a vast heritage that evidences the invaluable cultural heritage since pre-Hispanic times, as well as the San Pedro market, a neuralgic place of commerce in the Imperial City, where you can buy the ideal souvenir in handicrafts and typical clothing, but you can also taste the succulent regional cuisine, which highlights among other dishes, the refreshing chicken broth.

Lima’s gastronomy

The prestigious American newspaper The New York Times chose Lima as one of the best cities in the world to visit this 2020. The prestigious American publication places the capital of Peru in the list of the 52 best cities to visit for tourists from all over the world, for its gastronomy, architecture and entertainment venues.

It highlights Lima as the culinary epicenter of South America, a city dotted with celebrity chefs and extravagant dishes of extraordinary food. He also defines it as a rich historical and cultural capital full of perfect squares like the Plaza Mayor, museums full of ancient treasures like the Larco museum and handcrafted mansions.

He also notes that new non-stop flights from the United States and Latin America make it easier than ever to get to Lima.

Do you want to enjoy an unforgettable trip?

Spend a different kind of vacation in a group, with your family or friends. Peru Cultural Connection has for you a tours in Cusco, that will allow you to know the great history of the Inca Empire, the main attractions located in the capital of the Empire of Tahuantinsuyo are: the excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Tour to Maras Moray, tour to the mountain of colors, tour to the Humantay lagoon and of course the tour to Machu Picchu, with the objective that your vacations become an adventure never to forget and that you live the best experience of your life, making one of our Tours.

 

To travel to the Humantay Lake

To travel to Humantay Lake is one of the most beautiful sites, which is located in the foothills of the snowy Salkantay. It is one of the most visited tourist places in Cusco, because all tourists want to travel to Humantay Lake to take a picture with its wonderful turquoise waters.

The energy and magic that surrounds this place can only be compared to the trips to Machupicchu. The hike to get here is totally pleasant because of the natural landscapes that surround it. Here we leave you everything you need to know about Humantay Lake.

What is the Humantay Lake?

The Humantay Lake is one of the most beautiful and sacred of Cusco. It is located in the foothills of the snow-capped Salkantay in the Andes Mountains at an altitude of 4,200 meters above sea level. It is one of the most famous tours in Cusco, famous for the beautiful scenery of its admirable turquoise waters decorated by the snow of Salkantay. A true jewel of the tourist places of Cusco.

How to get to the Humantay Lake?

To get to the Humantay Lake is necessary to get up very early, on average at 4 to 5 in the morning. In about 2 hours we are arriving at Mollepata and then Soraypampa from here begins the walk of about 2 hours. In these tours in Cusco you can enjoy breathtaking landscapes, snow-capped mountains and a wide variety of flora and fauna, not to mention that it is a great challenge for adventure lovers.

What to see in the Humantay Lake?

If you are a nature lover and you like hiking, the Humantay Lake is the ideal place. The main attraction of these tours in Cusco is the photography in its beautiful turquoise waters, but in addition to this you can feel the tranquility of one of the most incredible landscapes of Cusco. You can also leave your offering to the Pachamama (mother earth), putting an apacheta (mound of stones), thanking her for having arrived here successfully, and ask her to accompany you on your return.

When is it advisable to travel to Humantay Lake?

Like most of the tours in Cusco, it is more advisable to do them in the dry season (April – October), since there is less chance of rain. The hike can be more difficult if the road is wet. So don’t forget to prepare your tours in Cusco for these dates.

What will you need on the Humantay Lake Tour?

The weather in Humantay Lake is very cold. At night the temperature can be below 0 ° C and during the day the sunlight can reflect on the snowmaking it difficult to walk.

For all these conditions we recommend you to bring:

  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and cap; to prevent any damage to our skin and eyes.
  • Always carry a water poncho and a windbreaker and warm clothes for the beginning of the tour.
  • Trekking shoes and comfortable pants for the hike.
  • Bring a bottle of water, snacks, documents and of course a camera.
  • We recommend you to hire the services of a travel agency, to make your trip with more tranquility.
  • As you can see, Humantay Lake is one of the best options of tourist places in Cusco. It is one of the perfect lostours in Cusco for your next vacation. Do not leave Cusco without making the tours to the Humantay Lake.

GETTING TO KNOW THE CITY OF THE INCAS CUSCO

Knowing the city of the Incas Cusco is one of the best places you can visit. It is a destination where you can find the perfect mix of history, nature, art, customs, the city of the Incas Cusco, and even adventure, not to mention the warmth of its people. There is a great infinity of tourist places in Cusco that many times are not visited due to lack of time or lack of knowledge. So here we let you know the city of the Incas Cusco, everything you need to know to make the most of your trip to Cusco.

What is Cusco: location and climate? Cusco is one of the most visited places in Peru, mainly for the Machu Picchu tours. The region of Cusco is located in the southeastern part of Peru, between the valleys of the Peruvian Andes. Cusco is located at an altitude of 3,399 meters above sea level. The climate in Cusco is generally semi-dry and temperate. With two very defined seasons:

DRY SEASON: (April and November) With sunny days and cold and frosty nights (between May to October). Ideal season to visit the tourist sites in Cusco.

RAINY SEASON: (December and March), with cloudy and rainy days. (between November to April).

How to get to Cusco city?

In order to get to the city of Cusco it is first necessary to arrive in Lima. Then either by air or land, we go to Cusco. If it is by air the trip takes an average of 1 hour. If it is by land it is a journey of approximately 16 hours in which you will have the opportunity to appreciate the beautiful landscapes of the coast and highlands, besides being able to get unique photos. Once here it is time to begin to know the tourist places of Cusco.

Sightseeing in the city of Cusco:

The city of Cusco has many cultural and natural tourist attractions. Among the most striking are: the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the cathedral of Cusco, the Qoricancha, the white Christ among others. All of these you can get to know better in Cusco tours. Here are some of the most important ones:

Archaeological Centers: Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay.

Downtown: Cusco Main Square, Cusco Cathedral, The Stone of the Twelve Angles, Qoricancha, temple and neighborhood of San Blas.
Museums: Archbishop’s Palace, Garcilaso de la Vega Inca House, The Archbishop’s Palace or Museum of Religious Art, Larco Museum of Pre-Columbian Art.

What to do in your free time?

If you have free time from the tours in Cusco, we recommend you to do some of these activities.

  • To walk the streets of Cusco is like traveling back in time. You will be able to appreciate the Inca and colonial architecture in almost all the buildings of the city.
  • The city of Cusco is full of visitors from all over the world so it is not strange that you can make friends in the bars and restaurants near the main square. More reasons to visit the tourist sites of Cusco.
  • Take lots of pictures of the tourist sites of Cusco.
  • Get to know one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
  • Undoubtedly Cusco is a city that will capture you completely, with its tourist sites of Cusco, the friendliness of its people and its immense history. Cusco, city of the Incas will always have more to offer, so you can not miss this spectacular journey through the city of the Incas.

Machu Picchu reopened to tourists after pandemic closure

The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, one of Peru’s tourist jewels, reopened after a blockade of almost eight months due to the health crisis caused by the spread of Covid-19.

This emblematic point of the Inca culture returned to receive tourists since November 2, after months of solitude and forced silence due to the restrictions decreed by the Peruvian government to try to curb the impact of the pandemic.

So that tourists can marvel again in the middle of this mythical indigenous citadel, the authorities determined that the reopening will advance only with the reception of 30% of the visitors it normally receives, which is equivalent to 675 per day.

In its official Twitter account, the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism celebrated the measure and invited locals and foreigners to approach this place with all the biosecurity measures.

“Today Machu Picchu opens. It opens with health and safety protocols, it opens to say that we are reactivating, but with responsibility and great caution,” said Rocio Barrios, head of the Foreign Trade and Tourism portfolio.

During the morning of this Sunday, the first train with tourists arrived at Machu Picchu, after a journey of more than 90 minutes from the ancient town of Ollantaytambo.

The closure of this architectural jewel worsened the crisis of several sectors that benefited from the arrival of visitors to this area located in the mountainous area of Cusco.

Dozens of restaurants, travel agencies, hotels, tour guides and transportation companies were plunged into a deep financial crisis for almost eight months due to the blockade caused by the sanitary emergency.

According to what cab drivers such as Eberth Hancco, a worker at the Cusco airport transportation station, told the international news agency AFP, “the situation has been very bad, because Cusco depends on tourism”.

It is estimated that, before the onset of the crisis, at least 80 hotels operated in the Ollantaytambo area. However, due to the closure, many of them could not resist and went bankrupt.

The reopening protocol

In recent weeks, the Peruvian authorities have implemented a reactivation protocol aimed at guaranteeing the health safety of visitors to this corridor which, before the pandemic, could receive up to 5,000 tourists per day.

First of all, the use of masks will be obligatory for visitors during the entire tour, which can only be done in groups of a maximum of six people, with a distance of at least two meters between them.

The sanctuary, which was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO and subsequently catalogued as one of the seven wonders of the modern world in 2007, can only be visited by those who comply with the required measures.

According to official balances, the tourist operation of this attraction generated income to the national coffers for more than 5,500 million dollars per year.

Steps in the economic reactivation

In only the first five days of ticket sales, the first 8,000 free tickets offered for the visits to be made during the next 15 days of reopening were already sold out.

Since the beginning of October, Peru opened its air borders and reestablished flights with Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay, a list that is expected to be joined in November by Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Canada and the United States.

Travelers arriving from international destinations must present negative results of a molecular test (PCR) performed less than 72 hours before taking the flight, as well as a sworn statement of their health status, their itinerary and the commitment to announce if they present any symptoms of Covid-19.

So far, Peru has confirmed the detection of 902,503 infections and 34,476 deaths due to the virus, so health agencies insist on the need for citizens to comply with protective measures.

Traveling to Machupicchu after COVID19, Making a new tourism in Machupicchu.

Undoubtedly the tourism sector has been the most affected by the pandemic in recent months and travel agencies in Cusco are no exception, Cusco, the capital of the ancient empire of the Incas and the city that moves most of the travelers who intend to travel through Peru has been paralyzed by the coronavirus pandemic.

But in the last few weeks and as part of the economic reactivation of Peru, Machu Picchu is expected to reopen in compliance with the safety protocols determined by the WHO and the Ministry of Health of Peru MINSA and respecting the rules of social distancing.

The phases of reactivation of tourism in Machupicchu will be:

The district mayor of Machu Picchu, Darwin Baca León, specified that there are three phases of reactivation that have been previously analyzed by the steering and technical committee of the Machu Picchu management unit (UGM). The decision to reopen Machu Picchu corresponds to the Ministry of Culture.

The first phase of the reactivation of tourism in Machupicchu includes the opening of section 5 of the Inca Trail (km 104) and the Llaqta of Machu Picchu.

The only entrance restrictions to the citadel before the pandemic were the visits to the areas declared vulnerable (Intihuatana, temples of the Sun and of the Condor), which were open for visits in three shifts; meanwhile, all accesses were open.

However, the first phase of reactivation includes a new protocol designed by the Deconcentrated Direction of Culture, which contemplates that the alternate routes will be closed.

Therefore, the following routes will be closed:

  • Machu Picchu mountain
  • The Huayna Picchu mountain
  • The Inca Bridge
  • The Inti Punku

Only the core area of the Sanctuary divided into four circuits will be available in a future reopening of the world wonder.

Whatever the process of reopening Machupicchu after the pandemic Machupicchu will always be an incredible place no matter where you look at it, its magic has not been affected by the pandemic and it would be an incredible place to travel and recharge your batteries after overcoming COVID19.

If you are thinking about traveling after COVID19, traveling to Machupicchu can be a great alternative and is something that will surely leave an incredible memory in you; also if you want to organize this trip with a travel agency in Peru serious, formal and with all the health protocols we offer you our travel packages to Machupicchu. Contact a travel agent now.

After the quarantine Machu Picchu will only be able to receive 2,244 visitors per day.

This was established by the Ministry of Culture, which approved the maximum capacity of the Inca citadel.

The Ministry of Culture established in 2,244 the maximum number of visitors per day that can receive the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, the tourist icon located in the province of Urubamba, Cusco region.

This is stated in the Ministerial Resolution N° 173-2020-MC published today in the bulletin of Legal Norms of the Official Gazette El Peruano, which specifies that the decision to approve this number of visitors per day to the llaqta of Machu Picchu is based on the report prepared by the Decentralized Directorate of Culture of Cusco, through the document called “Implementation of the recommendations of the “Study of carrying capacity and limits of acceptable change for the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu – 2015″ and results obtained: 2016-2019”.

The recitals of the standard include the decision of the Unesco World Heritage Committee that urged the Peruvian State to ensure that the evaluation of the 2015 carrying capacity study focuses on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and, once conducted, is respected by applying clear limits along with regulations and differentiation of visitor flows and the promotion of alternative visitor sites outside the Llaqta and requests the State Party to finalize it and send it to the World Heritage Center, for review by the Advisory Bodies.

It adds that in Ministerial Resolution No. 070-2017-MC of February 21, 2017, the Regulation of sustainable use and tourist visitation for the conservation of the Llaqta or Inca City of Machu Picchu was approved, modified with Ministerial Resolution No. 216-2018-MC dated June 7, 2018, whose objective is to regulate the sustainable use and tourist visitation to ensure the conservation of the Llaqta or Inca City of Machu Picchu.

It also refers that, in accordance with the Sixth Complementary Provision of the aforementioned regulation, the maximum admissibility of visits for the Llaqta of Machu Picchu cannot exceed that established in the study of carrying capacity and/or limit of acceptable change approved by Directorial Resolution No. 035-2016-DDC-CUS/MC and as determined by the Master Plan of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu in force, managing shifts, schedules, visitor flows, respecting the circuits and implementing adequate monitoring systems.

It also underlines that the reports N° 00159-2020-DDC-CUS/MC and N° 000197-2020-DDC-CUS/MC that the Decentralized Directorate of Culture of Cusco sends to the Vice Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Cultural Industries the document called “Implementation of the recommendations of the “Study of carrying capacity and limits of acceptable change for the Historic Sanctuary of Machupicchu – 2015″ and results obtained: 2016-2019”, sustain that, based on the implementation of the recommendations proposed for the management, conservation and ordering of the tourist flow of the Llaqta of Machu Picchu, it is recommended that the number of visitors that should enter Machu Picchu should be a maximum of 2,244 visitors per day.

The regulation is signed by the Minister of Culture, Alejandro Neyra Sanchez.

At present, visits to the citadel of Machu Picchu are suspended. The measure was adopted in the second half of March as a consequence of the declaration of the state of emergency decreed by the Government to stop the advance of the coronavirus (covid-19) in Peru.

The resumption of visits to the Inca citadel will begin after the implementation of sanitary protocols for the transfer of visitors, as well as biosecurity measures that must also be implemented by guides and tour operators.

Machu Picchu celebrates today the thirteenth anniversary of its election as one of the seven new wonders of the modern world. A commemoration that takes place in the midst of growing expectations for the upcoming resumption of visits to the Inca citadel, the country’

Arriving in Peru / Vaccinations / Recommendations

Aware of the complexity of describing a country as vast and multicultural as Peru, we will try to offer in this post – in a succinct way – some generic data of interest that may be useful before starting our trip.

Peru has three clearly differentiated zones: Coast, Highlands, and Jungle (the latter represents 60% of the national territory). Bathed by the Pacific Ocean, it borders Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil to the east, and Bolivia and Chile to the southwest.

The great variety of climates allows it to have a large number of natural resources and inputs for its renowned cuisine. Peru has 28 different types of climates and a total of 84 out of 104 microclimates. The country is also the richest in the world in marine resources, and its sea bathes 900 thousand Km2.

WHAT VACCINATIONS DO I NEED?

Peru is located in the South American tropics and the diseases that occur in the warm part of the country are comparable to those of the African or Asian tropics, especially those caused by mosquito bites such as malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever. If you travel to any destination in or around the Peruvian Amazon (Loreto, Madre de Dios, San Martin, Ucayali, Amazonas and the jungle of Junin, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Pasco, Puno, Huanuco or Huancavelica) we recommend vaccination between four and eight weeks before starting the trip, as the immunity of the compound begins to work at least after 10 days.

Do not make the classic mistake – as in the case of this writer – of getting vaccinated in Lima a week before traveling. If you are in a hurry you can get vaccinated at the Jorge Chavez airport for S/ 84. If you have time you can get vaccinated in Lima at these centers free of charge. www.minsa.gob.pe/portada/Especiales/2016/fiebre_amarilla/

When you get vaccinated in your country of origin they should send you an international vaccination certificate, which can be used for administrative purposes. I have never been asked for it in areas affected by malaria or dengue fever, but it would be good to carry it with you as a precaution. It is valid for 10 years.

CHANGE OF CURRENCY IN PERU

The Peruvian currency was renamed since mid-December 2015 from “Nuevo Sol” to simply “Sol” (S/ or PEN). The current exchange rate as of today (02/March/2017) is S/ 3.43 to the Euro and S/ 3.26 to the US Dollar. Check the exchange rate on the official website of the Central Reserve Bank of Peru (BCR): www.bcrp.gob.pe or on online converters such as themoneyconverter.com.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

When traveling, travel insurance can be purchased to cover loss, theft, casual accidents or illness, some of them with 24-hour telephone numbers that can help you in case of any inconvenience. Let’s look at the fine print, as some of them do not cover activities such as scuba diving, motorcycling or hiking. Some companies such as STA Travel offer policies with good value for money.

HOLIDAYS IN PERU

Something to take into account is that on public holidays, banks, offices and many of the attractions will be closed, so it would be good to check these dates in advance. The most important is July 28, Independence Day, which if it falls on Thursday will have a bridge until the following Monday. These are the most important dates:

  • New Year’s Day (January 1)
  • Good Friday (March/April)
  • Labor Day (May 1)
  • Inti Raymi or ‘Feast of the Sun’ (June 24)
  • St. Peter and St. Paul’s Day (June 29)
  • Independence Day (July 28)
  • Santa Rosa de Lima (August 30)
  • Combate de Angamos (October 8)
  • All Saints’ Day (November 1)
  • Immaculate Conception (December 8)
  • Christmas (December 25)

WEATHER

 

Machu Picchu: 10 things you didn’t know about the Inca Citadel

If we talk about Machu Picchu, possibly everyone knows that this Inca citadel located on the Urubamba River Valley, is one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World and Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO since 1983.

What many will not know are some curious facts that, not because they are basic, are less unknown. We bring you a small list with 10 things you probably did not know about Machu Picchu.

1- The name of this Inca citadel comes from the Quechua word meaning “Old Mountain”.

2- Machu Picchu was discovered in 1911 by the American professor Hiram Bingham, after an expedition in which he was looking for Vilcabamba, the last Inca capital before the Spaniards conquered America.

3- This majestic architecture comprises 140 structures.

4- It was built by the Inca Pachacutec, the ninth emperor of the Incas, approximately in the year 1460. It is believed that it was built as a temporary residence for royalty.

5- It has 3 very important enclosures: the Intihuatana (sundial), the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Three Windows.

6- . On September 8, 2000, the Intihuatana suffered irreparable damage to one of its edges due to the collision of a crane during the filming of a beer commercial for the Cusqueña brand.

7- It is located 2,430 meters above sea level.

8- There are different ways to get to Machu Picchu, by bus on the Hiram Bingham Highway, through the well-known Inca Trail, Salkantay Trekking or the Inca Jungle.

9- Approximately 1 million visitors a year.

10- In 1913, the National Geographic Society magazine dedicated its entire April issue to the recently discovered city, bringing worldwide attention to the sanctuary.

We hope these little facts will make you take the step you were looking for to get to know this marvel of Inca architecture, which still holds dozens of secrets such as its advanced hydraulic system, its forms of storage or its allegorical constructions based on the Inca cosmovision of union with the pachamama or mother earth.

*With information from the Peruvian Chamber of Tourism (Canatur) and the Andean Wings Hotel website.