The city of Cusco is the ancient capital of the Incan Empire named "The Archeological Capital of the Americas". Cusco is not famous for its ancient ruins, but also for its people and customs, history and traditions, and strange but enriching combination of the old Europe with the new continent.
The enigmatic complex of Machu Picchu, the most important and beautiful legacy of the ancient Peruvian, is located high on top of a mountain and complements the exuberant nature that surrounds it, creating a one of a kind place in the world and newly elected Wonder of the World.

LATITUDE AND LENGTH
The city is located at South latitude 13° 30' 45" and at West latitude 71° 58' 33" as of the Greenwich Meridian.

LOCATION AND SURFACE
The city of Cusco is located at the central and south-eastern zone of Peru, exactly at the western part of the valley of the Watanay River. The department has an area of 76,225 Km2, and the area of the Province of Cusco amounts to 523 km2. Compared to the Peruvian territory (1'285,215 Km2), Cusco represents the 5,9% of the territory.

Cusco comprises of three large territory units that can be read following the North-West-South-East orientation of the department. These great territory sections encompass High-Andean zones, jungle areas within the department, and its borders are only fixed by an interpretation of general physiologic and climatic variables, which are useful to understand the great diversity of the Cusco space.

BORDERS
To the North, it is bounded by the jungle areas of Junín and Ucayali; to the South, it is bounded by the Southern area of Arequipa and Puno; to the East, it borders on the large Amazonian plain of Madre de Dios; and to the West, it is bounded by the mountains of Apurímac and Ayacucho's jungle. Recently, with the regionalization process carried out in 1988, it constitutes, together with the departments of Madre de Dios and a part of Apurímac, the Inca Region.

HEIGHT
Cusco is located at approximately over 3,350 m.a.s.l., and it is considered as one of the highest cities in the world.

WEATHER
Cusco's most distinct climatic feature is the pronounced contrast between the dry season, which lasts from about May to September, and the remaining wetter months of the year (with most rain falling between December and March). During the dry season, it's consistently sunny, with average daytime temperatures between 17 and 20°C (63-68°F), and cool to freezing nights, with the mercury hovering anywhere between a bone-tingling 1 and 7°C (34-45°F).

Whatever the time of year, note that you will likely experience extreme weather conditions on some sections of the Inca Trail.

COMMUNICATIONS

Telephone
The telephones system is the most used in Cusco. Public telephones are easy to find and they enable access to local, national and international dialing and through the operator. It works with coins (céntimos and nuevos soles) and with 147 cards. You can purchase them at Av. El Sol or in the offices of Telefónica.

The Central Office of Telefónica presents the advantage of making direct international calls without time limits. You only need to request the assistance of the person in charge and you will be able to talk comfortably from your private cabin.

How to use a public telephone ?
Pick up the phone and wait for the tone. In the upper part of the telephone there will appear letters on a digital screen indicating that you have to insert the coins. In order to call abroad you need 5 soles minimum, the coins of two or five soles do not work. Calls inside the city of Cusco cost 50 céntimos. So as to call to a cell phone you will need one Nuevo Sol.

In the case of 147 Cards, pick up the phone and dial the number 147; the operator will indicate you to dial the 12 secret numbers of your card. Then, the country code, the area and the number

Telephone Codes
- For international long distance dial 00 + the country code + the city code + the telephone number.
- In the case of direct dialing, dial 0 + the city code + the telephone number
- If you require an operator for national long distance, dial 109 and request the call.
- To call to Peru from abroad, dial the access international code + 51 (Peru code) + area code (for Cusco it is 084) + the number.

POST SERVICE
- The post service is reasonably efficient. USA and Europe letters arrive in one or two weeks. The stamps for letters addressed to USA, Europe, New Zealand and Australia cost between $ 0.80 and $ 3.
- USA and Europe letters arrive in one or two weeks. The stamps for letters addressed to USA, Europe, New Zealand and Australia cost between $ 0.80 and $ 1

MONEY EXCHANGE
Money
The official currency in Peru is the "Nuevo sol" and its symbol is S/. We currently have in circulation the following :
Bills of 10,20,50, 100 and 200 nuevos soles
Coins of 1,2 and 5 nuevos soles and of 5,10,20 and 50 cents of nuevo sol.

The US dollar is by far the easiest foreign currency to exchange because it will be difficult to exchange other currencies. Despite of being well accepted, in some small sites, you will generally have to exchange it into nuevos soles. The entrance of foreign currency to Peru is limited. The dollar exchange rate may vary every day, but it usually changes between S/.2.70 and 2.95 nuevos soles against each American dollar.

Cash
It is better you take small denomination bills or pocket money as vendors, shops and taxis do not often have change. Be careful with bills and examine that they are not old or broken as vendors, banks; street money changers, etc. do not accept damaged bills.

Banks and money exchange offices
All the Bank Branches (situated in provinces) exchange American dollars and travelers cheques. The main offices (situated in Lima) and/or Exchanges money exchange offices accept coins.
We do not suggest you to exchange money on the street, unless have a high change.


What volunteers can discover in Cusco ?
A rich culture, colors, customs, festivities, Imcomparable art, textiles, museum, cuisine, folklore, and joy.

TRANSPORTATION
Urban buses (BUSES AND COMBIS)
These buses are found only in the main cities, and they can hold twenty to forty passengers. There are defined bus stops, so tell the guy who charges the passage in what bus top you need to get off in advance.

Collective pick up trucks (Combis)
This means of transportation involves pick-up trucks, each one with a capacity for 10 people, however, in Peru get on 22 at he same time. They move quickly throughout the city and are cheaper; nevertheless, they are not recommended due to the high speed and aggressive manner of driving.

Taxis
Cost depends on distances, the average fee for ten blocks is USD 1.25 and the longest distance around Cusco is USD 15.00