Article : The guidebooks may not have told you of Cusco

1. Molino. El Molino is like the "Walmart" of Cusco. While it may not necessarily treatyou to the same "eye candy" that you get there, this is a place to go if you need to furnish an appartament without travelling all over. Just tell the taxi driver you want to go to Molino.

2. El Paraíso. Closer into the town but without as much selection as Molino is El Paraiso.

3. Souvenir Shopping. There are a few different markets with multiple booths in them if you head down AAvenida del Sol. Here you can find many of the same things you will see else where but cheaper than nearer  to the Plaza de Plaza de Armas or on the Sacred Valley Tour.

4. Baratillo Market. On Saturday mornings , ask a taxi to take you to Baratillo, where you will find just about everything for sale and at disconunt prices. You may even find your  Ipod that "disappeared". Note that this is probably the most likely spot to encourer pickpockets so stow your money safely and leave your valuables at home.

5. There is an alternative way to get to Machupicchu other than the train or a multi-day hike. You can take a bus to Santa Maria and from there take a taxi to hidroelectrica. From there it's a 3 or 4 hour hike into Aguas Calientes. "Ampay" is the main bus company that goes to Santa Maria.

6. Safety. Cusco is a relatively safe city and actually, for the most part safer than many. That being said, it is a city. And it is assumed that anyone who looks like a tourist has more money than someone who lives there. Just be smart put your money someplace safe and keep a good grip on cameras and bags.

7. Taxi prices. Anywhere within the main part of the city, taxis should be 3 soles. To the Terminal Terrestre bus station, it is 4 soles if they take you inside the grounds. To the airport it is 5 soles; from the airport is 5 soles If you go out to the street to get one. Prices will go up 0.50 to 1 sol at nigth.

8. Collectivos to the Sacred Valley can be found on Pavitos, just off Avenida Grau. These are shared taxis or vans. In a car, it is 7 soles per person to Urubamba, 10 to Ollantaytambo. In a van, it's 6 to Urubamba. If you want a private taxi, you can just pay for whatever seats are unused. The last ones leaves around 7:30 at nigth.

9. Many guidebooks list the Tourist Police on calle Saphi. This is a normal police station. The Tourist Police are actually at Plaza Tupac Amaru.

10. Hiking on the Inca Trail requires a permit. These are a normally sold out a month or two ahead of time and cannot be transferred to another person. If you´re  trying to book when you get there, check the official website first: http://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/ . Clic on  "consultas" and  select the appropriate month. If there are no permits available then you won't be able to get one with any agency.

Source: QUEPASA

All the information you need to get your Machu Picchu train tickets

Follow these simple steps to make your trip a magical experience

Cusco has an ancient past that beats in its streets, squares and valleys. No one resists the path of its history and Incas engineering which dominated the stone as few cultures have done in the past. The best example of this is Machu Picchu citadel.

Machu Picchu city wonder of the world Cusco Peru
The citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the new seven wonders of the world in Cusco, Peru

This new wonder of the world, located at 2360 meters above sea level, dazzles those who visit it, with its beauty and mystery. For this reason, it is considered as one of the main tourist destinations in Peru and one of the most visited and recommended places in the world.
So, take your suitcase, follow these tips and start a magical journey that will captivate you from start to finish:

PERURAIL train Vilcanota river Machu Picchu Cusco
PERURAIL train bordering the Vilcanota river before arriving at Machu Picchu, Cusco

To avoid any mishap and fully enjoy this experience, you can purchase in advance your train tickets at www.perurail.com. In our website you will find different departure stations to go to Machu Picchu. You should locate which station corresponds to the train you are going to take.
In our booking you will find a variety of departure and return schedules according to the availability of our trains on the dates you have chosen. Click on “Continue” and make sure that the information of the itinerary chosen fit perfectly with what you have planned for the trip. Remember, it’s always better to have extra time. The magic of Machu Picchu will captivate you to stay a little longer.

Finally, everything will be ready for your trip when you have correctly filled your information and those of your adventure companions. Do not forget to put the email and contact number that you use more often, because by these means we will communicate with you to indicate all the details, so you can enjoy your trip with no problems.

Otherwise, if you prefer to buy your tickets in person, you can do it at our points of sale, located in Lima and Cusco. Here are our stores:

Larcomar Miraflores train tickets Machu Picchu
Larcomar, Miraflores. One of the points of sale for the train tickets to Machu Picchu

• Lima: Larcomar Shopping Center in Miraflores and Jorge Chávez International Airport.
• Cusco: Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport, in the Town Center and in “Plaza Regocijo”.


If you want to know the schedules, addresses and telephones go to: https://www.perurail.com/find-us/

Cusco Town Center. A point of sale to buy the train tickets to Machu Picchu

Remember that the journey is as magical as your destination. So, now you are ready to have an unforgettable experience aboard our trains!

To keep in mind: The citadel of Machu Picchu is located in the jungle eyebrow, you should come prepared with sunscreen, hat or cap, sunglasses and repellent.
Have a good trip, we’ll wait for you on board!

Souce: Peru Rail