Cheap Cuzco Flights - Wonderful Machu Picchu
Many travelers enjoy exploring history, but you’ve never really experienced history until you step back in time and visit Cuzco, Peru which was once the capital of the entire Inca Empire. Today, travelers come from all over the world to experience not only the city but also to enjoy nearby Machu Picchu vacations.
Most of the people who arrive in this Peruvian city take Cuzco flights. That means you’ll need to fly into Lima’s international airport. Some airlines in other parts of South America do offer flights into the city directly as well. Unfortunately, flights into Cuzco can be canceled occasionally because of bad weather which can hamper your travel plans.
You could avoid the Cuzco flights and instead take a bus from most of the large Peruvian cities but the travel would be long. If you want to take a bus from Lima into Cuzco, for example, the trip takes about 24 hours. From Nazca, the trip can last up to 16 hours.
Before you take off on Machu Picchu vacations, you should spend some time exploring Cuzco itself. There is plenty to see and do there. Many of the attractions require you to have purchased a boleto turistico for admittance. This single ticket will last for up to ten days and can get you into the Museo Municipal de Arte Contemporaneo, Monumento Pachacuteq, the Pikillacta, and more.
You should also be sure to visit the remaining Inca ruins found within Cuzco. Unfortunately, the original city was largely destroyed by Pizarro in the 16th century but some of the buildings do remain and can be toured just outside the city.
One of the nicest ways to spend a day in Cuzco is walking through Plaza de Armas. This city square is surrounded by beautiful churches, as well as some amazing shops and restaurants you can enjoy. You can stroll through the area, soaking up the atmosphere, and browsing through all the businesses. While in the square, you can visit one of the bars and learn how to play Sapo, which is a traditional bar game you’ll find all over Peru. Enjoy the game with a few mugs of chichi, the beer made from corn found locally. You could also choose to book a tour of the city to make sure you see as much as possible.
Chances are you’ll be feeling a bit hungry after your Cuzco flights. Luckily, there are plenty of tasty local delicacies you can try. Many restaurants serve alpaca steak. As the name suggests, these are steaks made from llamas. Another must-try while you’re in the city is the cuy. Cuy is a guinea pig. In most places, the pig is roasted and is sometimes served with the head on. If that bothers you, have the dish at the Inka Grill around Plaza de Armas. Papa Rellena is also a good traditional dish. It’s a potato that has been stuffed with vegetables, spices, beef, and other ingredients.
When you are visiting Cuzco, there are a couple of issues to keep in mind for your own safety and health. First, be prepared for altitude sickness. At almost 11,000 feet above sea level, Cuzco and Machu Picchu vacations can actual cause serious health problems unless you have already been acclimated to the higher elevation. As a result, you could end up hyperventilating, getting dehydrated, and experiencing a number of serious health conditions. During your first days in the city, you should do as little as possible so your body can get adjusted to the reduced oxygen levels.
Entering the City
Most of the people who arrive in this Peruvian city take Cuzco flights. That means you’ll need to fly into Lima’s international airport. Some airlines in other parts of South America do offer flights into the city directly as well. Unfortunately, flights into Cuzco can be canceled occasionally because of bad weather which can hamper your travel plans.
You could avoid the Cuzco flights and instead take a bus from most of the large Peruvian cities but the travel would be long. If you want to take a bus from Lima into Cuzco, for example, the trip takes about 24 hours. From Nazca, the trip can last up to 16 hours.
Places to Visit
Before you take off on Machu Picchu vacations, you should spend some time exploring Cuzco itself. There is plenty to see and do there. Many of the attractions require you to have purchased a boleto turistico for admittance. This single ticket will last for up to ten days and can get you into the Museo Municipal de Arte Contemporaneo, Monumento Pachacuteq, the Pikillacta, and more.
You should also be sure to visit the remaining Inca ruins found within Cuzco. Unfortunately, the original city was largely destroyed by Pizarro in the 16th century but some of the buildings do remain and can be toured just outside the city.
Things to Do in Cuzco
One of the nicest ways to spend a day in Cuzco is walking through Plaza de Armas. This city square is surrounded by beautiful churches, as well as some amazing shops and restaurants you can enjoy. You can stroll through the area, soaking up the atmosphere, and browsing through all the businesses. While in the square, you can visit one of the bars and learn how to play Sapo, which is a traditional bar game you’ll find all over Peru. Enjoy the game with a few mugs of chichi, the beer made from corn found locally. You could also choose to book a tour of the city to make sure you see as much as possible.
Tips on Dining
Chances are you’ll be feeling a bit hungry after your Cuzco flights. Luckily, there are plenty of tasty local delicacies you can try. Many restaurants serve alpaca steak. As the name suggests, these are steaks made from llamas. Another must-try while you’re in the city is the cuy. Cuy is a guinea pig. In most places, the pig is roasted and is sometimes served with the head on. If that bothers you, have the dish at the Inka Grill around Plaza de Armas. Papa Rellena is also a good traditional dish. It’s a potato that has been stuffed with vegetables, spices, beef, and other ingredients.
Traveling Concerns
When you are visiting Cuzco, there are a couple of issues to keep in mind for your own safety and health. First, be prepared for altitude sickness. At almost 11,000 feet above sea level, Cuzco and Machu Picchu vacations can actual cause serious health problems unless you have already been acclimated to the higher elevation. As a result, you could end up hyperventilating, getting dehydrated, and experiencing a number of serious health conditions. During your first days in the city, you should do as little as possible so your body can get adjusted to the reduced oxygen levels.
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