return to Cusco

Peru is South America's third largest country and can be divided into three distinct geographic regions. The best known of these is the central high sierra of the Andes, with its massive peaks, steep canyons, and extraordinary pre Columbian archaeological sites. The Andes are still one of the world's most unstable mountain ranges, with frequent earthquakes, landslides, and flash floods. Despite such instability, the Andes are also the site of the most fascinating pre-Columbian cities of South America-like the great city of the clouds, Machu Picchu.

The landscape of Peru is as epic as its history. The shadows, canyons, and plateaus of the vertiginous Andes hide the remains of one of the world's most extraordinary empires - the Inca - while their eastern slopes are the cradle of the Amazon River itself. Peru's third great region is the dense forest that surrounds the headwaters of the Amazon beneath the eastern slopes of the Andes. This part of the country is so inaccessible that only the most adventurous and intrepid travelers should attempt to penetrate its mysterious emerald depths. In fact, the region's capital of Iquitos, a city of 400,000, is accessible only by air or by boat up the Amazon.

P'isaq
Today P'isaq constitutes one of the most important Archaeological Parks in the region. It is located about 30 Kms. (18.6 miles) toward the northwest of Qosqo City. Possibly its name comes from a partridge specie very common in the area known as "p'isaqa". Some scholars suggest that the pre-Hispanic City had the shape of a "p'isaqa" (-ornate tinamou- Nothoprocta ornata); a tinamidae that represented the local fauna. Today, there is also a colonial town named P'isaq in the lower part of the valley, established as consequence of the famous "Indians Reductions" by which the Quechuas were joined in small towns.

Qorikancha
The famous Sun Temple of Qosqo was and is in practice a synthesis of the Inkan organization, architecture and religion; that had already reached the summit of their level by 1438. It possibly represented the "Navel of the World"; therefore, the world's center in the pre-Hispanic Andean Cosmovision.

Tipon
It is a National Archaeological Park located toward the east of Qosqo City; covering a territory of about 2200 hectares (5436 acres) in the Oropesa district, province of Quispicanchis. In order to get the main archaeological monument there is a 5 Km. (3 mile) dusty road from kilometer 18 (mile 11.2) of the road Cusco-Puno, towards the north and crossing the "Watanay" rivulet. A half kilometer away from the paved road is the small village of Tip-n where an extraordinary colonial abode stands out. The abode is part of the Qespikancha hamlet that was property of the De San Lorenzo de Valle Umbroso Marquises (1650 -1802).

Saqsaywaman
One of the most imposing architectonic complexes inherited from the Inkan Society is precisely Saqsaywaman, which because of several of its qualities is considered as one of the best monuments that mankind built on the earth's surface. When the Spanish conquerors arrived first to these lands; they could not explain themselves how Peruvian "Indians" (ignorant, wild, without any ability of logical reasoning, one more animal specie according to conquerors) could have built such a greatness. Their religious fanaticism led them believe that all that was simply work of demons or malign spirits. Still today, many people believe in inability of ancient Quechuas for such a wonder so they suggest that those were beings of some other worlds, extraterrestrial beings with superior technology that made possible all that. However, our history and archaeology demonstrate that all which causes admiration even in the most incredulous is an undeniable work of the Inkas, Quechuas, Andean people or however pre-Hispanic inhabitants of this corner of the world would be named.

Is Peru Safe?
The people throughout Peru are very friendly and are always willing to help. Do however be cautious and well aware of your personal space at all times. Pickpockets are a menace and never let someone you do not know watch your luggage. Never accept rides from anyone other than official taxi drivers.

Remember: you are in another country with a different set of social rules and regulations. What might be acceptable at home is not necessarily acceptable abroad. Ask questions and find out more about your city. Learn to adapt to different cultures and customs, part of your study abroad experience is to learn more about the world around you, be open and friendly.

What is the local currency?
Nuevo Sol: 100 centimos. Bill notes are in denominations of 100, 50, 20, and 10 Nuevos Soles with coins in 5, 2 and 1 denominations as well as centtimos of .055, 0.20, 0.10 and 0.05.

Are a passport, visa, or vaccinations necessary?
Entry requirements: You need a valid passport and a return ticket. Visas are not required except for some countries of Asia, Africa and the Middle Est.

Yellow Fever: a vaccination certificate is required for travelers over six months of age arriving from an infected area. For travelers arriving from non-endemic zones, vaccinations are recommended for travel outside urban areas.

Malaria almost exclusively exists in the benign vivax form, and can be found throughout the year in rural areas below 4,922 ft. Falciparum malaria occurs sporadically in areas bordering Bolivia (Madre de Dios), Brazil (Yaravi and Acre River) and in Zarumilla Province (Tumbes Dep.) and in areas where petroleum deposits are being exploited.

Tourist Protection Service: The purpose of The Tourist Bureau of Complaints is to protect visitor's consumer rights by helping them solve any problems that may arise regarding the services they hire. There is a 24-hour hot line: 224-7888.

How do you get there from here?
It is important to mention that American Airlines offers direct flights from New York and Miami to Cusco-Peru.
International Airports:
Lima (LM), Jorge Chevez International Airport is 10 miles Northwest of the city. Taxis to the city are available and travel time is about 35 minutes. Airport facilities include a duty-free and handicrafts shops, banks, coffee shops, restaurants and gambling machines. Iquitos (IQT), in the Amazon jungle in north-east Peru.

Departure tax: US$25 is levied on all international departures. Transit passengers and children under 2 years are exempt.

How do I get around Peru?
Roads: The main international highway is the recently rebuilt Panamerican Highway running north-south through the coastal desert of Peru from Tumbes to Tacna. Ormeno operates buses to Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia and other countries. The recently rebuilt Central Highway connects Lima with La Oroya and Huancayo in the Mantaro Valley. From La Oroya there is a road connecting Cerro de Pasco, Huanuco, Tingo Maria and Pucallpa on the Ucayali River. Landslides are frequent in the rainy season (Dec - Mar) marking travel slow. And as mentioned above, the Panamerican Highway runs along the coast.

Domestic Airlines: There are approximately eight airlines: Aeroperu, Americana, Faucett, Expreso AZreo, Imperial Air, Aerocontinente and Aerocondor which handle virtually all domestic air traffic linking Lima to Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cusco, Juliaca-Puno, Tacna, Pucallpa, Puerto Maldonado, Iquitos, Cajamarca, Tumbes, Piura, Chiclayo, Trujillo and other cities. Departure tax: An airport tax of about US$4 is charged for every domestic departure.

Rail: The Southern Railroad runs from Arequipa to Juliaca and Puno 3 night s a week and from Puno and Juliaca to Cusco 3 days a week. There is a daily train to Machu Picchu from Cusco which takes approximately 4 hours. Always check for revised schedules. There are no rail connections between Lima and Cusco. Fast and comfortable electric autovagons operate on some routes. The Lima to Huancayo route is the highest in the world and most interesting for its beautiful landscapes and the more than 50 tunnels it passes through.

Bus: A very cheap means of travel which operates extensively along the Panamerican Highway. Buses and minibuses (combis) comprise public transport in Lima. The minimum rate is US$ 0.40.

River Transportation: Available between Pucallpa to Iquitos (approx. 5 days) and from Iquitos to the border of Brazil and Colombia (2.5 days, about three times a week).

Taxi: Taxis are available at main hotels and airports and can be contacted by phone. Taxis do not have meters and fares should be agreed upon before departure. Fares are relatively inexpensive.

What is the weather like?
The climate is generally mild, cold and dry, with an average annual temperature of ll C. The rain season runs from November to March, with light rains at the start of the season and heavier rains from January to March. The dry season runs from April to October.

Will my electrical gadgets work?
200 volts AC, 60 Hz. Appliance plugs are compatible with both US and European type.

What is the best way to phone home?
Telephone: International Direct Dialing
Country code: 51
Lima: 1
Cusco 84

It is also smart to obtain an overseas phone card (they are usually free-of-charge) from your long distance carrier, such as MCI, AT&T or Sprint. MCI's Worldphone Program, for example, lets you phone the US/Canada from Peru at greatly reduced rates from what you would pay from the regular charge. The long distance carrier will give you a special number to call when placing your call.

What major holidays are there in Peru?
Jan 1: New Years Day. March or April: Holy Week. May 1: Labor Day. June 29: St. Peter and Paul. July 28 - 29: Independence Day. Aug. 30: St. Rosa of Lima. Oct. 8: Battle of Angamos. Nov. 1: All Saint's Day. Dec. 8: Immaculate Conception. Dec. 25: Christmas Day.