Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
cilaso de la Vega, whose childhood home now houses the
Museo Histórico Regional
. It sits amidst colonial
mansions,
Hotel los Marqueses
is particularly stunning.
On Sundays, Quechua-speaking
campesinos
(country folk) meet in
Plaza San Francisco
. Drop in to the
church and museum of San Francisco
if you're so inclined. Past the colonial archway is the
church and con-
vent of Santa Clara
. If it's open, peek inside at the mirrors, used in colonial times to entice curious indigenous
people into the church for worship.
Just beyond, the bustle of
Mercado San Pedro
spills out onto the pavement. Fuel up at one of the many
stalls, then step out onto Calle Nueva and follow to Avenida El Sol opposite the
Palacio de Justicia
, a big
white building with a pair of lawn-mowing llamas in the back garden. Head up Maruri and take a left into
Loreto
, a walkway with Inca walls on both sides. The west wall belongs to Amaruqancha (Courtyard of the Ser-
pents). The east wall is one of the best and oldest in Cuzco, belonging to the Acllahuasi (House of the Chosen Wo-
men). Post conquest, it became part of the
closed convent of Santa Catalina
.
Loreto returns you to the Plaza de Armas. Turn right up Triunfo (signposted as Sunturwasi) and across Palacio in-
to Hatunrumiyoc, another alley named after the
12-sided stone
. This belongs to a wall of the palace of the
sixth
inca
, Inca Roca, which now houses the
Museo de Arte Religioso
.
Hatunrumiyoc ends at Choquechaca. From here it's only a short puff up to
Plaza San Blas
, Cuzco's bohemi-
an HQ. Head left along
Tandapata
for the classic cobblestone experience. Inca irrigation channels run down
ancient stairways, and rock carvings adorn walls and stones in the path.
If you wish, forge uphill to Sacsaywamán.
Courses
Cuzco is one of the best places in South America to study Spanish. Shop around - com-
petition is fierce and students benefit with free cultural and social activities. Salsa lessons
and cooking nights are more or less ubiquitous.
The standard deal is 20 hours of classes per week, either individual or in groups of up
to four people. Most schools will also let you pay by the hour or study more or less intens-
ively. Rates usually run at around S16 per hour for group lessons and S23 per hour for
private lessons.
Visit your school on a Friday to get tested and assigned to a group for a Monday start,
or show up any time to start individual lessons. All schools can arrange family homestays
and volunteer opportunities.
Amigos
LANGUAGE COURSE