Peru - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 742

9 TOURS IN AND AROUND CUSCO

Tours in and around Cusco range from a half-day city tour to a full-on adventure down to
the Amazon. Service and facilities vary considerably, so check exactly what's provided.
Standard tours around the city, Sacred Valley and to Machu Picchu range from a basic bus
service with fixed stops and little in the way of a guide, to luxury packages including guide,
food and hotel transfers. The two- to four-day Inca Trail is the most popular of the mountain
treks ; many agencies offer trips with guides, equipment and fixed itineraries; do a lot of
research deciding when and how to do the Inca Trail (see p.755).
Other popular alternative Inca trails (see p.763) are around the snowcapped mountains
of Salcantay (6264m) to the north and Ausangate (6372m) to the south, a more remote trek,
which needs at least a week plus guides and mules. You can also rent out mountain bikes
for trips to the Sacred Valley and around, and some operators arrange guided tours. Many
jungle trip operators are also based in Cusco (see p.825).

in real alternative treks and are constantly working at
opening and developing new alternatives to remote
areas. Part of the profits goes towards community
projects including building new schools.
Big Foot Triunfo 392, 2nd floor T 084 233 836, W big
footcusco.com. Specialists in multi-day expeditions, such
as trekking in Ausangate and to Vilcabamba (see p.766).
Llama Path San Juan de Dios 250 T 084 240 822,
W llamapath.com. One of the newer Inca Trail trekking
operators in town, Llama Path has quickly established
itself as a more affordable, high-quality, responsible
outfit.
Q'ente Choquechaca 229 T 084 222 535, W qente.com.
Responsible adventure travel company specializing in
alternative treks as well as the traditional Inca Trail.
Wayki Trek Av Pardo 506 T 084 224 092, W waykitrek
.net. Professional company supporting many commu-
nity projects in the area and offering some off-the-
beaten-trail treks. Also offers a “wayki option” on the
Inca Trail whereby groups spend the night in a porter
community prior to starting the trail.

TOUR OPERATORS
The Cusco area is an adrenaline junkie's paradise,
with a huge range of adventure sports on offer. As
well as trekking expeditions in the Sacred Valley,
there's world-class river rafting on the Apurimac River,
climbing and canyoning in the nearby mountains,
and mountain biking.
Amazonas Explorer Av Collasuyo 910, Miravalle T 084
252 846, W amazonas-explorer.com. Internationally
renowned operator offering multi-activity trips, combi-
ning hiking and rafting on the Apurimac, as well as
mountain biking and horseriding excursions.
Aspiring Adventures Qolla 467 T 958 257 042,
W aspiringadventures.com. Aspiring offers gastrono-
mic and “off-beat Cusco” tours to discover more about
the city's hidden attractions, as well as unique 3-4-
day trips to mysterious religious festivities such as
Qoyllur Riti where entranced costume dancing goes
on for days.
Andina Travel Plazoleta Santa Catalina 219 T 084
251 892, W andinatravel.com. Andina are the pioneers

Ì Eco Packers Santa Teresa 375 T 084 231 800,
W ecopackersperu.com. This fun and colourful hostel has
clean dorms set around a leafy interior courtyard. There is
table football and billiards to unwind, as well as a laidback
bar with live rock music on Sat eve nings. Wi-fi ena bled
rooms and breakfast included. Dorms S26.50 , doubles S95
Hostal Madre Tierra Atoqsaycuchi 647 T 084 248 452,
W hostalmadretierra.com. A wonderful little guesthouse
offering brightly coloured doubles, all with private bath,
set on two floors. The interiors are decked out in local
wood and fireplaces add to the homelike atmosphere.
Staff are friendl y and helpful, and there's free wi-fi and
all-day coca tea. S153
Kokopelli San Andres 260 T 084 224 473, W hostel
kokopelli.com. Set in a beautiful colonial house, this new
addition to town has female only and mixed dorms, as
well as doubles with private bath. There's table tennis,

you don't have much luggage, you can take a Correcaminos
colectivo from the eastern side of C Ayacucho, half a block
south of Av El Sol, to the airport and the Terminal Terrestre.
By taxi Rides within Cusco cost around S3 or S6-10 for
trips to the suburbs or up to Sacsaywamán and Q'enqo
(some taxistas may charge S20 and wait for you, in which
case give them half in advance and half later).

ACCOMMODATION
There are numerous budget options around the Plaza de
Armas and in the quieter San Blas area uphill from the square.
Casa de la Gringa Tandapata, at Pasñapaqana 148 T 084
241 168, W casadelagringa.com. Cactus pots and a colourful
mural decorate the hall of this pleasant guesthouse. Try and
stay in the main building as the annexe has darkish rooms.
There's a kitchen for guests' use and a co mmunal area with
TV and wi-fi. Rates include breakfast. S68