√ Cusco (Peru): information on the city, what to visit and what to do Cusco?
Cusco
Population: ~ 291.000
Time difference to London - Time zone GMT/UTC: -5 hours
Climate, weather: 11ºC -13ºC (52ºF -55ºF) all year with a dry season from April to October and a rainy season from November to March.
The department of Cusco is considered as Cultural Patrimony of the Humanity, which was the nest of the great Inka civilization and because of its wonders it hosts the biggest amount of tourists in Perú.
The city of Cusco offers to its visitors a variety of attractions.
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Cusco (Peru) - Things to See:
Inca ruins
Machu Pichu
Arriving to Cusco
Once you arrive to Cusco, walk through the tiny streets and enjoy your ride back in time,experiencing a different atmosphere filled with fascinating tradition. - The department of Cusco is located in the south east region of the Peruvian Andes. - Cusco is located at 3350 meter above the sea level.
Festival of Cusco
Each year, there is a big concert in the Andes of Peru: in Cusco, it is a big event organized by “Cerveza Cusqueña”(Peruvian Company of beer), called the “Festival de Cusco”, most of the times it is celebrated in the beginnig of May each year, many very famous singers and groups have arrived at Cusco for this megaconcert since 1991, with 15 years of existence, this concert represents one of the best made in all Peru, about 30 thousand of people go to this concert made ina very safe place , this local called “Local de la Cerveza Cusqueña” receives every year to many people who come from all over the country and from abroad.
Every year the concert takes place for two days (Saturday and Sunday) participating at least 10 singers and groups from Latin America and from all over the world, playing differtent types of music like: andean music, rock and pop, peruvian music, salsa, merengue, brasilian music, romantic music, etc.
The Corpus Christi Festivity in Cusco
The Festivity of Corpus Christi is a very typical religious festivity of the City of Cusco.
It is celebrated every year in the beginnings of June, starting with the celebrations of the city; the celebration takes place in the “Plaza de Armas” (Main Square of Cusco) and it is a procession of about thirteen statues of saints around the square.
Organized groups carry the statues from each temple of the saints; it is a festivity full of colours and in addition to view the procession of the saints you can taste really good plates and typical food during the Corpus Christi Festivity like “Chiri Uchu” - a plate made with “cuy” (guinea pig), hen, toasted corn, cheese, special herbs and other Andean ingredients.
Climate
During the dry season, from April to October, the weather is generally sunny. Temperatures are hot during the day and cold at night. The rainy season in Cusco occurs from November through March. It is recommended that students bring a wet weather coat as well as a warm one for the nights and inside buildings, as they don't have heating systems.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Peru is anytime of year. However the dry season in Peru is from May to September, is better if you want to join jungle treks. The rainy season is from the middle of November to March and can make activities such as jungle treks difficult.
The wealth of Cusco city:
Agriculture has a huge variety. It depends on the climates of altitude zones. On the Andean zone, we cultivate potatoes, maize, Quinua, Cañihua, Oca, Olluco and Kiwicha.
On the valley, which has a warm climate, we cultivate fruits, alfalfa and eucalyptuses. On the high and low forests, we cultivate bananas, yucas, maize, coca, sugar canes, coffee and cacao. The extensive stockbreeding is necessary in vast prairies of the Andes. There are cattle bovine, ovine, goat and Camellias of South America, like Lamas and Alpacas.
The mining
The mining is also important. We exploit copper in the mines of Chalcobamba and Ferrobamba. In less proportion there are gold, lead, zinc and salt deposits. The principal industries are: beer factories, woollen clothing fatories, crafts of high quality, silverware, woollens, etc. The gas deposits of Camisea are a great pontetiality, and now they are already being exploited. There are two universities in the city: a state one and a private one.
Towns of Cusco
Cusco is surrounded by small towns like Urubamba, Quillabamba, Acomayo, Sicuani and Paucartambo.
They and other towns are part of a large city that has its center in Cusco.
Tourism
Tourism is the big industry of the city, and Cusco is one of the principal attractions. Sacsayhuaman fortress is also an important attraction; from there you have an awesome view of the landscape of Cusco city.
The Sacred Valley of Urubamba between Pisaq and the Ollantaytambo Ruins, with charming and natural landscapes, Inka ruins and Virreynal and Republican buildings are part of the amazing touristy circuit, the same as Macchupicchu.
In Cusco, Sacred Valley and Macchupicchu, is a great hotel infrastructure. The National Park of Manu is a touristy place as well, it extends from Paucartambo to Madre de Dios city.
Tourism is an important business sector in the city, that besides having imposing archaeology buildings, it has a great collection of colonial art, like architectural and sculptural buildings.
Environment problems
One of the principal environment problems of Cusco are forest fires in the high moor and also in the jungle of Urubamba Valley in the north of Ollantaytambo.
Machu Picchu: The Lost City of the Incas
The ruins of Machu Picchu are the most important attraction of Peru. The lost city of the Incas is located at 120 km of Cusco, in the Urubamba Valley.
Since its discovery back in 1911, by the American researcher Hiram Bingham, there have been many hypotheses regarding the construction f the city.
However, it is known that the Incas built the city in this rough area of the jungle to avoid access and possible attacks from their enemies. Machu Picchu was the most important Inca center for worship and astronomic observation. Machu Picchu has two big important areas: to the south, the agriculture area is made up of terraces, aqueducts, etc. To the north, the urban area is the city with its temples, observatories, workshops, and sacred burial plots.
There are 3 ways to reach Machu Picchu: by helicopter (30 minute flight), by train (4 hours to Aguas Calientes), and through the trekking route known as the 'Inca trail' (a three days journey). The trail is one of the most spectacular routs in the world, part of the 23000 kilometers of road that the Incas built all around South America.
The climb to the Huayna Picchu is one of the best experiences. The name Huayna Picchu means 'young mountain', compared to Machu Picchu 'the old mountain'. From the top of the 'young mountain' you have an extraordinary view of the Machu Picchu complex and of the path that leads to the terraces on the edge of the abyss as well as of some small ruins of temples.
Beyond the myths, Machu Picchu is the testimony of the knowledge and the greatest artistic expression of the Incas.
This city catches the attention of all its visitors who admire its magnificent beauty
Todos los Santos
November first is dedicated to saints who are alive 'Santos Vivos', Families celebrate by eating roasted pork and corn cake 'lechones y tamales', as well as different types of bread like the 'Tánta Wawa'.
November second is dedicated to the Dead Saints 'Santos Difuntos', people visit cemeteries where they make offerings to their dead - the relative’s favourite food is what is usually brought.
More information and interesting Web-Sites regarding Cusco:
City administration of Cusco (in Spanish only)
National Culture Insitute - Regional Sercreyary in Cusco (in Spanish only)
Mayuc Travel Agency: Inca trails to Machu Picchu, Ausangate, the Indian comunities of the Andes, Trek to Lares and Choquequirau. And Rafting on the Apurimac river.
Web-Site in SPANISH, ENGLISH
Cuzco Travel Guide
Web-Site in ENGLISH
Boutique Hotel Casa San Blas Cusco - located in Cusco, Peru, providing it's guests with a new concept of comfort, a home away from home, quality of service and personalized attention.
Web-Site in SPANISH, ENGLISH
In Casita - beautiful double bedrooms with great sunlight. Big bathrooms with warm water 24 hours a day, heater, telephone and cable, are the basic services in each bedroom.
Web-Site in SPANISH, ENGLISH
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How and what they are speaking/talking about in Cusco? Radio and TV stations from Cusco in Spanish live & online:
TEVESUR
TV station
Cusco
Type and programme style: news, sport, reports, documentaries
Quality of streaming: ok, player type: Windows Media Player.
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