Cusco
Jan 6th, 2016, 11:21 AM
#1
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Cusco
I will be traveling to cusco with a medical organization in late february, early march. Mon-Fri I will be working during the day in mobile medical clinics, but will have 3 free days as well as weeknights off. I am a 21 year old college student and would like some input on things that are "must sees" in cusco. Also looking for restaurant/bar suggestions as well!
Thanks
Thanks
Jan 8th, 2016, 01:26 PM
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Cusco is one of my favorite places in the world.
Get a copy of "Exploring Cusco" by Peter Frost (but wait til you get there to buy it because it's a lot less expensive). You will learn a lot about the City and the Inka.
The Cathedrals (both the old and the new) and the art in them, the Qorikancha, The Museo de Arte Pre-Colombino (MAP Museum)--the latter the place to start.
Take the municipal bus to Pisaq on market day (I think Wednesday). Wander through the market, then go to the Inkan ruins above Pisaq. Later you can try to find a hand woven blanket, alpaca sweater or scarf, or something else at the market.
Kusikuy Restaurant--"Cuy" is guinea pig. Don't be put off. Cuy is a delicacy. A painting in the Cathedral of The Last Supper by an artist of the Cusco school depicts Christ and his Disciples eating a cuy. Fairly pricey but good---a once in a lifetime experience.
Climb up to Saqsaywaman (save this for late in your trip so that you are used to the altitude)and marvel at the fortress and how the Spaniards could ever have taken it. Then sit with your copy of "Exploring Cusco" and look over Cusco as the sun goes down so you can appreciate the shape of the City.
There's lots more to do, but those are the highlights.
!Buen viaje!
Get a copy of "Exploring Cusco" by Peter Frost (but wait til you get there to buy it because it's a lot less expensive). You will learn a lot about the City and the Inka.
The Cathedrals (both the old and the new) and the art in them, the Qorikancha, The Museo de Arte Pre-Colombino (MAP Museum)--the latter the place to start.
Take the municipal bus to Pisaq on market day (I think Wednesday). Wander through the market, then go to the Inkan ruins above Pisaq. Later you can try to find a hand woven blanket, alpaca sweater or scarf, or something else at the market.
Kusikuy Restaurant--"Cuy" is guinea pig. Don't be put off. Cuy is a delicacy. A painting in the Cathedral of The Last Supper by an artist of the Cusco school depicts Christ and his Disciples eating a cuy. Fairly pricey but good---a once in a lifetime experience.
Climb up to Saqsaywaman (save this for late in your trip so that you are used to the altitude)and marvel at the fortress and how the Spaniards could ever have taken it. Then sit with your copy of "Exploring Cusco" and look over Cusco as the sun goes down so you can appreciate the shape of the City.
There's lots more to do, but those are the highlights.
!Buen viaje!
Jan 8th, 2016, 08:47 PM
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Clearly, the main attraction that is accessible as day trip or overnight trip is Machu Picchu. Since you need to get admission tickets in advance, as well as for the train, so decide if you want to do that first. The rest can be arranged quickly.
Jan 8th, 2016, 11:04 PM
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I agree with dwddvagamundo's list for Cusco entirely. I would however add in the walk alon the old inca trails from Tambo Machay to Cusco. Takes around 2-3 hours visiting the ruins Tambo Machay, Pukaki pukara, Q'enka and Sacsayhuaman. A short walk from there back down into Cusco via San Blas. You could start by getting the Pisac and jump off 20 mins or so later at Tambo Machay or even start early, visit Pisac and jump off at TM on the way back.
Some more details on our blog http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...8907/tpod.html
Loads of good, inexpensive places to eat in the city, many around San Blas. Chez Maggie for pizza and Jacks Cafe are two long established places that attract people in your age group (and even those, like me, who are not!). The markets and pollo asado places and cervicherias are also great places for more local food.
Some more details on our blog http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...8907/tpod.html
Loads of good, inexpensive places to eat in the city, many around San Blas. Chez Maggie for pizza and Jacks Cafe are two long established places that attract people in your age group (and even those, like me, who are not!). The markets and pollo asado places and cervicherias are also great places for more local food.
Jan 9th, 2016, 11:00 AM
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I posted a trip report last May about our trip to Peru. Lots of good restaurants in Cusco. Like crellston, I'm not in your age bracket, but there are a few places that I'd recommend.
The following is edited from my trip report.
We loved our lunch at Greens Organic. I had the trout tartare and John had an excellent salad with goat cheese, candied nuts, lettuces and other veggies. We were both thrilled with our choices. I think we may have had the frozen limonada to drink. The décor in the restaurant is lovely, with interesting recycled bottles turned into light fixtures. The bill came to 80 soles so it’s not inexpensive, but the quality of the food is excellent and I’d definitely recommend it.
Bodega 138 has very good pizzas and big salads. They did ½ the pizza with one set of toppings and the other ½ with another set of toppings. I had an artisanal beer (made with the purple corn!), while John had the chicha morada. They also serve good garlic bread and a couple of sauces and a dish of olives. I can’t exactly remember the price, but I think it was around $30 USD. (They don’t take credit cards.)
We had a very nice lunch at Café Moreno Peruvian Kitchen. I had the best pisco sour while waiting for a table and their frozen limonada is excellent. I ordered the anticuchos (chicken and beef) with potatoes and yellow sauce and big corn. John ordered chaufa which is a take on Chinese fried rice with quinoa. Very delicious and huge servings. I was glad that John has a big appetite and ate a couple of my skewers. The bill came to 94 soles for a huge meal. We were tempted to order the sweet potato donuts for a dessert, but the table next to us (a group of Swedes who of course spoke perfect English) got the last order. They very kindly gave us a taste.
There’s a nice little crepe place called La Boheme not far from our B&B. We ended up there for dinner one night. John had one with a cream sauce, ham, cheese and asparagus. Mine had blue cheese, fresh cheese, walnuts and lots of fresh greens. For dessert we had their fabulous salted caramel crepe with ice cream. I had mineral water and John had their drink of the day. Bill came to under 50 soles.
We also had dinner at Cuse Smokehouse, also in the San Blas area. Food was great – I had the smoked chicken and fries and John had a burger with pulled pork (talk about decadent!). It’s casual, fun vibe and we really enjoyed it. I can’t remember what we paid, but it was not a lot.
The following is edited from my trip report.
We loved our lunch at Greens Organic. I had the trout tartare and John had an excellent salad with goat cheese, candied nuts, lettuces and other veggies. We were both thrilled with our choices. I think we may have had the frozen limonada to drink. The décor in the restaurant is lovely, with interesting recycled bottles turned into light fixtures. The bill came to 80 soles so it’s not inexpensive, but the quality of the food is excellent and I’d definitely recommend it.
Bodega 138 has very good pizzas and big salads. They did ½ the pizza with one set of toppings and the other ½ with another set of toppings. I had an artisanal beer (made with the purple corn!), while John had the chicha morada. They also serve good garlic bread and a couple of sauces and a dish of olives. I can’t exactly remember the price, but I think it was around $30 USD. (They don’t take credit cards.)
We had a very nice lunch at Café Moreno Peruvian Kitchen. I had the best pisco sour while waiting for a table and their frozen limonada is excellent. I ordered the anticuchos (chicken and beef) with potatoes and yellow sauce and big corn. John ordered chaufa which is a take on Chinese fried rice with quinoa. Very delicious and huge servings. I was glad that John has a big appetite and ate a couple of my skewers. The bill came to 94 soles for a huge meal. We were tempted to order the sweet potato donuts for a dessert, but the table next to us (a group of Swedes who of course spoke perfect English) got the last order. They very kindly gave us a taste.
There’s a nice little crepe place called La Boheme not far from our B&B. We ended up there for dinner one night. John had one with a cream sauce, ham, cheese and asparagus. Mine had blue cheese, fresh cheese, walnuts and lots of fresh greens. For dessert we had their fabulous salted caramel crepe with ice cream. I had mineral water and John had their drink of the day. Bill came to under 50 soles.
We also had dinner at Cuse Smokehouse, also in the San Blas area. Food was great – I had the smoked chicken and fries and John had a burger with pulled pork (talk about decadent!). It’s casual, fun vibe and we really enjoyed it. I can’t remember what we paid, but it was not a lot.
Jan 10th, 2016, 07:53 AM
#7
I assume you are already planning on going to Machu Picchu?
In February/March you won't be able to take the train all the way. They put you on a bus and then pick up the train in Ollantaytambo, I believe.
So you might want to do the bus trip to Ollantaytambo independently. You can then take trains between Ollantay and MP which allow you more time in both places rather than trying to cram it all into a day trip from Cusco.
Or you can stop on the way back in Pisac for Saturday night, and see the Sunday market there before going back to Cusco.
There are also taxis and shared taxis that run those routes.
In February/March you won't be able to take the train all the way. They put you on a bus and then pick up the train in Ollantaytambo, I believe.
So you might want to do the bus trip to Ollantaytambo independently. You can then take trains between Ollantay and MP which allow you more time in both places rather than trying to cram it all into a day trip from Cusco.
Or you can stop on the way back in Pisac for Saturday night, and see the Sunday market there before going back to Cusco.
There are also taxis and shared taxis that run those routes.
Jan 10th, 2016, 08:59 AM
#8
BTW SUNDAY is the day for Pisac, if you want to see the Quechua Mass and the arrival of the delegations from the surrounding communities. You'd want to be near the church entrance at around 10:30 to 11 am. Ask around town for the "abogados".
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