I am a student from Scotland currently studying in Santiago. We wanted to visit Machu Picchu and possible do the full inca trail.
Can anyone inform us the best way to get to cusco from Santiago. What are the pros and cons of the is. ie cost, time, comfort, experience!
Thanks
Reply to this Hi AndyMcEwan, I flew Cusco-Lima-Santiago with LAN. If you're flying to Cusco I don't think there's any way around a lateish arrival at Lima, overnighting (staying at Lima airport overnight is quite safe, and free), and getting an early flight Lima-Cusco in the morning.
I don't know about land travel between Peru and Santiago sorry.
Reply to this Don´t know your budget and your schedule but here are some land travel ideas. It might take some days, take a pullman bus from Santiago to Arica (30 hrs). Cross the border to Peru via Tacna. It´s a bit shady, you have to take private cars from Arica to Tacna, they wait to fill up to 4 a 5 people (don´t pay more than 2.000 ps, you can get it for 1.500 ps). From Tacna you can take a bus (like Flores) to Arequipa (7 hrs and a nice place to stay some days, recommend you Arequipean backpackers hostel). And than finally, you can take a night bus to Cusco, arriving the next morning early. Take a taxi from the bus terminal to the centre (about 3 to 4 soles).
Reply to this Enrique, thanks for your help. One thing i wasnt sure about... How much was the trip by car from arica to tacna? is that 2 ps or 2000ps? Do you have any recommendations for staying in Cusco?
Reply to this 2000 pesos chileno. In Cusco a stayed in Hostal La Resbalosa or something like that. It's not really a recommendation but okay.
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