How to get to Cusco for the Inca Trail

If you are looking for trekking in Peru or if you want to take the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, you will surely end up in Cusco, the Peruvian trekking center. From Cusco you not only have access to the classic Inca trail and the short Inca trail, but also to classics such as the longer Salkantay Trek , the Lares Trek and even the Rainbow Mountain is around the corner. Cool, so Cusco is the trekking Mecca of Peru, but how do you get there? We get this question very often and want to help you on your way to your next trekking experience in Peru.

On the Plaza de Armas in Cusco you can see a large rainbow flag that welcomes visitors. No, this flag is not there to stand up for LGBTQ rights. It is indeed the flag of the city of Cusco. The flag has been in use since the late 1970s and the Cusquenos, residents of Cusco, are very proud of it. The indigenous people make up about 40% of the Peruvian population, and although they have had and have had a difficult time in Peru, this flag constantly reminds the city and its inhabitants that solidarity and equality prevail. But there is more to it than that. It is said that the same or a similar flag was used by the Inca Empire, and although this is contested by historians, the flag is a widely recognized symbol of Cusco and the Andean region.

Cusco is also known as the imperial city and the legacy of the Inca Empire can be felt in this city. In Quechua the city is called Qusqu or Qosqo. From the 13th to the 16th century, Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire. The constitution of Peru makes Cusco the historical capital of Peru and it is no wonder that UNESCO declared the area a World Heritage Site in 1983. For trekking enthusiasts, Cusco is the gateway to another world heritage site: Machu Picchu. If you want to experience the Inca path and see Machu Picchu, Cusco is a must. If you are coming from far away, you will probably want to know how to get to Peru first. If you're traveling to Peru from overseas, you're likely to land first in Lima, the capital of Peru.

How to get to Lima?

Lima is the capital of Peru with a population of 10 million and is home to an international airport that is served from every corner of the world. If you don't arrive by land, you can fly to Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM). You can book nonstop flights to Lima daily from most cities in Europe, North America, South America, Asia and Oceania.

How to get to Cusco

Peru is a big country. By car, it can take two days to cover a distance of around 1,100 kilometers between Lima and Cusco. Tourists who have a tight schedule usually avoid the stress of traveling overland to Cusco.

Arrival to Cusco by plane

Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport is quite difficult to pronounce and most people prefer to simply call it Cusco Airport. The airport is code-named CUZ and offers daily flights to most major cities in Peru. From Lima it takes about an hour to fly to Cusco. There are several airlines that compete for passengers. You can choose to fly with Avianca, Viva Air, Sky Airline, LATAM, Peruvian or Star Peru. Take the train to Cusco.

If you are a railway enthusiast, you probably already know the railway line between Puno and Cusco. This trip on the "Andean Explorer" is described as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. Note that this is Puno and not Lima. So it's only an option if you want to combine Cusco, the Inca Path and Machu Picchu with Lake Titicaca. A combination with a trip to or from La Paz, Bolivia is possible. The journey from Puno to Cusco or vice versa takes 10 hours.

By bus to Cusco

The easiest way to get around Peru is by bus. Although it is time consuming, this is a great way to see more of the country. There are good bus connections from Lima, Arequipa and Puno. Cruz Del Sur, Civa and Ormeno are just a few of the companies that operate buses between Peru's main hubs every day. Buses from Lima to Cusco run on the South Pan-American Highway. If you have any questions about trekking in Peru or the handling of transportation