Domestic Peru flight with TACA~
TA 807 LIM-CUZ (Lima->Cuzco)
DEP 11:00 LIM 23 JAN 2013
ARR CUZ 12:10 23 JAN 2013
Flight Duration: 1:10
Aircraft: A320
Click the following links for trip report from USA to Peru via TAM Airlines
I did not have a chance to visit Machu Picchu the first time I visit Peru, but I decided to try my best to fit Machu Picchu travel into my plan this time around. From Lima to Machu Picchu, everyone goes through city called Cuzco (or Cusco), located 1 hour flight toward Andes Mountains. The elevation of Cuzco is 11,200 ft above sea level, so people like me (who are used to sea level altitude) will definitely get altitude sickness. I decided to go on a plane from Lima to Cuzco, rather than taking an 18-hour long bus ride through the mountains. TACA Airlines offered the second lowest price (based on round-trip fare) at around 180 USD. Peruvian Airlines and StarPeru were both about $130, but I elected to travel with TACA, a brand I was familiar with.
Depending on how you decide to hike Machu Picchu, you may have to stay up to 3 days to a week in Cuzco. I did a day trip from Cuzco to Machu Picchu (which is very doable) by traveling on Perurail. I left from Cuzco-Poroy Station (all Perurail trains bound for Machu Picchu leave from Poroy Station) on a 4-hour long train ride to Aguas Calientes Station, where I took a 20 minute bus ride up to Machu Picchu. Some people do a 3night/4day long hike to Machu Picchu from near Ollantaytambo. I didn't have time for such hike, but next time I will try the course.
List of things you need to purchase for Machu Picchu trip (based on one-day trip from Cuzco)
1. Lima-Cuzco roundtrip ticket (100USD-200USD)
2. Cuzco (Poroy) <-> Aguas Calientes PeruRail roundtrip ticket* (~100USD)
3. Aguas Calientes <-> Machu Picchu roundtrip bus ticket (~20USD)
4. Machu Picchu Entrance Ticket* (44USD)
5. Taxi money + tip from Cuzco to Poroy Station
*Make sure you have your passport (or other valid forms of ID) when entering Machu Picchu or boarding PeruRail!!!
This trip article really helped me in my trip to Machu Picchu.
Most people stay in hostels near Plaza de Armas. This part of Cuzco is the touristy part of the city and very safe. You will see foreigners everywhere you go in the vicinity of Plaza de Armas. Plaza de Armas is also close to many touristy destinations within Cuzco city, including Sacsayhuaman (old Incan ruins) and Cristo Blanco (Jesus Statue with the million-dollar view of Cuzco).
I stayed in a hostel called Ninos Hostel. The price was very good (20 USD per night) and the hostel was within walkable distance to Plaza de Armas. I was very pleasantly surprised to find a Korean restaurant/hostel near Plaza de Armas. The place is called 사랑채 or Sarangche.
Click on the following link for my Machu Picchu trip report
Click on the following link for my TACA return flight trip report back to Lima
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첫번째로 페루에 오게 됬을때는 마추픽추를 갈 시간이 없었지만 두번째는 죽어도 가야된다는 작정으로 갔습니다. 사실 가기 3일전에 비행기표와 쿠스코에서 마추픽추로 가는 열차 티켓을 모두 구매하였습니다.^^ 리마에서 쿠스코는 비행기로 타고 가야합니다. 페루는 특히 산맥 지역에 도로가 잘되있지 않아서 사람들이 주로 비행기를 타고 갑니다. 50분 걸리는 거리예요.
제가 리마->쿠스코 비행기 티켓을 찾아보러 인터넷 조회시 Peruvian Airlines, StarPeru, TACA, Lan 이렇게 떴습니다. Peruvian 과 StarPeru들은 한 $50 불 쌌으나 스케줄이나 안전성을 고려해서 조금이라도 더 믿을수 있는 TACA 항공을 선택했습니다. 왕복편 가격은 $180 이었구요.
우선 페루 리마에서 마추픽추 가시려면 말씀들렸듯이 쿠스코까지 비행기를 타고 갑니다. 쿠스코에서 한 적어도 2박 3일 계시는데 알맞습니다. 그중 1일은 당일치기로 쿠스코->마추픽추로 여행해야 하거든요 (하루가 다 지나갑니다). 쿠스코의 포로이 기차역까지 택시를 타시고 포로이 기차역에서 아침 7시나 8시 떠나는 아과스깔리엔떼스 (마추픽추 바로 아래에 있는 마을)행 페루레일 기차를 타시고, 아과스깔리엔테스에서 마추픽추 꼭대기 까지 가는 버스를 타야합니다. 버스는, 경사각도가 높은 곳을 올라가야 해서 좀 무서워 보이죠 ㄷㄷ 마추픽추에서 한 3-4시간을 넉넉잡고 둘러보고 나오면 버스를 다시 타서 내려가고 아과스깔리엔떼스에서 오후 4시 5시때 출발하는 기차를 타시고 쿠스코에 한 저녁8-9시 도착합니다.
마추픽추 여행을 위해서 사야할것들 적어드립니다.
- 리마<->쿠스코 왕복 비행기 (~200USD)
- 쿠스코<->아과스깔리엔떼스 (Aguas Calientes) 왕복 기차티켓 (Perurail) (~100USD)
- 아과스깔리엔떼스<->마추픽추 왕복 버스티켓 (~20USD)
- 마추픽추 입장 티켓 (~44USD)
- 그외의 택시비 (쿠스코공항<->숙소, 숙소<->포로이기차역)
숙소는 되도록이면 Plaza de Armas 에서 머물르시는게 좋습니다. 게다가 쿠스코의 Plaza de Armas에서는 "사랑채"라는 한국식당이 있습니다^^ 꼭 들리시길~
저는 버스티켓과 마추픽추 입장 티켓은 쿠스코에서 구매했습니다.
제가 혼자 여행가기전 이 사이트가 도움이 많이 되었습니다. 영문이지만 저보다 도움이 많이 될것입니다^^
말이 길었네요~ 여행기 지금 시작합니다.
1월 23일 수요일, Miraflores 에서 페루 리마공항으로 택시를 타고 향합니다.
I took taxi from my friend's house to Lima Jorge Chavez International Airport.
The domestic side of the terminal.
There were many people lined up for TACA counters. Many people were bound for domestic cities within Peru.
Jorge Chavez Airport first floor.
The Perurail ticket counter is located near the entrance to Gate 1-7 waiting area post-security. Even if you buy the tickets online, you must have the Perurail agent print it himself/herself.
Or you can choose to buy/print Perurail ticket at a booth in Miraflores Larco Mar Mall.
The domestic gates for the terminal are located in the north-side of the terminal. Gates 1-7 are located downstairs
I had a sandwich and Inca Cola Zero for lunch.
My boarding pass and the Perurail ticket (which I printed at the Perurail booth in the airport)
TACA airlines and LAN airlines dominated the airport.
A StarPeru flight bound for Cuzco just took off.
In order to board my flight, I had to take a shuttle.
A Peruvian Airlines B737-200.
And I arrived at my plane (TACA A320) shortly after.
My seat was located right behind the Business class section.
The seat pitch for my seat was excellent!
Busy airport scene
How the division between Business class and Economy class looked like.
As the plane took off, I was able to see most of Lima to the left.
The flight snack I received after take-off. It was a ham and cheese sandwich and a cookie.
About to descend shortly into Cuzco!
Since Cuzco was about 11.200 feet above sea level, the plane climbed more than it descended.
Scenery near Cuzco
That's the center of Cuzco right there! You can see Plaza de Armas to the right.
And the Cuzco Airport runway. The plane would eventually turn more than 180 degree above mountains to land from the south side.
And the plane landed safely into Cuzco.
The plane that took me from Lima to Cuzco.
I bought the Machu Picchu travel package as soon as arrived into Cuzco. The package included Bus ride ticket (Aguas Calientes<->Machu Picchu) and Machu Picchu entrance ticket. They also offered Perurail tickets, but I already had one.
A taxi-ride later I was in Ninos Hostel.
The plaza within the Ninos Hostel (gated from outside).
Cuzco city streets
Near Plaza de Armas. There were tons of hostels around this part of the city.
Cristo Blanco, where you can see the whole city of Cuzco.
Cuzco city view.
I got ready for the Machu Picchu trip the next day. The blue tickets are the bus tickets.
Click on the following link for my Machu Picchu trip report
Click on the following link for my TACA return flight trip report back to Lima
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