Browsing Tag:

tourism

Cusco• Machu Picchu• Peru

What you need to know Before Visiting Machu Picchu in 2024

 

Here we tried to collect some of the main questions we received from people eager to visit Machu Picchu. 

First, let’s start from the question of question! What is the best time to go? Here there are divergent opinions that we can report. On one side, we can say that the best time is from July to August, which is the dry season, when you will not find rain and humidity. On the other hand, we can also say that the quietest moment to visit the citadel is the rainy season, where it is less crowded, and prices are generally lower. 

When is it convenient to buy tickets? We suggest you buy your entry tickets in long advance since there is a limited number of visitors allowed per day, at the moment 2500 for the citadel and less for the other options (see below). There are two slots per day: in the morning (6:00am-12:00pm) and in the afternoon (12:00-17:30pm). 

What are the ticket options? There are several kinds of entry tickets, the basic entry allows you to visit the citadel, but you can add the visit to Huayna Picchu, which allows you to explore the mountain throughout a 2–3-hour hike where you will enjoy stunning landscapes and a great view of Llaqta. The access to Huayna Picchu is allowed only in the morning. The other option is visit to the citadel and Machu Picchu Mountain, a high mountain from where you will enjoy charming views of the citadel. There are more tickets available for Machu Picchu Mountain than for Huayna Picchu daily. Finally, there are tickets available for those visitors who decide to do the Inca Trail. 

How do I reach Machu Picchu? This is another common question we often receive. Also, here you have several options: 

  • Train from Poroy or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, which is the little town located at the bottom of the valley below Machu Picchu. The town is also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. The journey lasts 3-4 hours. From here you can take the bus to the citadel. Buses start running from 5:00am in the morning. 
  • If you want to do the Inca Trail you will reach the citadel on your own, but you might need to book the Inca trail several months before due to the high demand and the few spots available.  

How do I need to dress? We suggest you wear comfortable shoes, also bring a raincoat, a hat, and sunglasses. It is mandatory to use sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Sun could be very strong over there. 

If you need more information, contact us: info@magicacuzcotours.com or call us (1) 703-822-5311. 

 

 

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On 11 junio, 2024 • By
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Nazca• Peru• Travel• Travel Tips

Best Things to do in Paracas and Around

Paracas is a small port town in the Paracas district and it is located in the Ica region in the south of Lima. It is well-known to travelers due to the large amount of activities and tours available in the area and the peaceful atmosphere. Paracas is also the jumping point to reach and visit the Islas Ballestas and the amazing Paracas National Reserve. 

Here is a list of activities available in the area: 

  • Islas Ballestas and Paracas National Reserve: to visit the site we suggest you to book in advance a relaxing boat tour leaving from the “El Chaco” pier. During the tour you will explore the area and see the popular ”El Candelabro”, a large prehistoric petroglyph of unknown origin spanning over 150 meters high and 50 meters wide, which is considered a mysterious symbol; the peculiar rock formations; the different species of animals and birds in the island, like sea lions, Peruvian booby, cormorans, penguins among others.

  • Winery Tour in Ica: Paracas is located in the Ica district at only a 1-hour car ride from Ica city, popular for its vineyards. This is the perfect chance to engage in a fun winery tour. In Ica you can find many wine “bodegas” that produce a sweet red wine and also the famous national Peruvian spirit: Pisco. During the tour, you will learn about the different kinds of grapes, the production process, and the tools used and have the chance to taste several types of wine and Pisco varieties. The varieties depend on the different kinds of grapes used in the elaboration process.  Do not miss the chance to buy wines and Piscos directly in the “bodega” for a cheaper price.   
  • Huacachina Tour: this is a unique oasis in the heart of the Peruvian desert, considered a paradisiac place with palms, a blue-green lagoon, and sand dunes where you can engage in multiple fun activities or, if you are not an active traveler, just relax. Huacachina is ideal for sports activities, such as buggies and sandboarding. As for the buggies, you can rent four-wheel-drive dune buggies and go up and down the dunes with a professional driver. We suggest you take the afternoon tour to avoid the heat and enjoy the beautiful sunset in the desert. As for sandboarding, if you are an expert you can just rent the board otherwise just take the tour with a professional instructor, who will explain how to surf the dunes and help you choose the right sandboard for you. 

 

Nazca Lines Tour: if you are into adventurous trips, you can also fly over the famous and mysterious Nazca lines. Flights usually leave in the morning and you will have the chance to see the incredible lines, whose history is still controversial. 

Customize your journey with our specialized team. We can’t wait to share the magic of Peru with you! 

For more information do not hesitate to call us at +17038225311 or email us at info@magicalcuzcotours.com. 

 

 

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On 22 junio, 2023 • By
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Peru• Travel• Travel Tips• World travel

Tips for traveling during pandemic

With the increase of people getting vaccinated all over the world and the drop in infection rates in many countries, we can definitely say that travel is becoming a lot safer now and tourism is recovering. Also the fact that people are more used to live respecting the usual safety measures such as washing their hands and wearing a mask indoor is helping. 

Here few tips you need to take in account while planning your next trip:

  • Test yourself. Take a COVID-19 test before leaving, ideally the day before and once you are back home. Even if you are vaccinated you might want to take the test to check your status. Some countries require a negative test to get in even if you are vaccinated, so you have to check the specific requirements for each destination. As for Peru, a negative PCR test issued up to 72 hours before boarding or a negative antigen test issued up to 24 hours before boarding is required. 

  • Use Masks or face shields. Bring with you the necessary amount of FFP2 masks and change them after 8 hours. If you prefer use a face shield to better protect you on the plane and indoor. 

  • Hand hygiene. Handwashing is the best way to protect yourself, so keep washing your hands frequently with soap and water for an extended period of time and using hand sanitizer if you do not have a place to wash your hands. Hand sanitizer must have at least 60% of alcohol in it. 

  • Bring antibacterial wipes. Bring them with you to clean up and disinfect hotel room or apartment’s doorknobs, light switches, surfaces and bathrooms. Just to be on the safe side.

  • Plan carefully your trip. Plan your trip in a smart way trying to avoid unsafe activities, such as going to crowded indoor places. Schedule in advance your visit to archeological sites, museums, parks, etc. Make the necessary restaurant reservations to ensure you have a table booked, many restaurants may have reduced available tables due to COVID-19 restrictions.

  • Enjoy your trip! Do not obsess and try to fully enjoy your trip. 

Even if things have changed and we are living in a different world today, we believe that we can still keep doing things we love using all the necessary measures to keep ourself and other people safe. So, travel, enjoy yourself, but do it in a smart way. The help of local people and an experienced travel operator could be crucial for your trip. 

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On 1 septiembre, 2021 • By
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Travel• Travel Tips• What to do• World travel

8 Tips on How to Travel with Kids

We here at Magical Cusco Tours love to travel with our kids but it can get a little complicated unless you know how to keep them busy and happy. Here are our top 10 tips to travel with kids and teens.

Make sure that daily activities are spread out well: Don’t visit 10 different monuments in one day, let your kids rest and have some downtime.  

Bring lots of snacks and water: In our experience, kids and teens often forget to bring their own food and water so when they get annoyed or hungry, you make sure that you have all the options that they might need. It also doesn’t hurt to double-check and make sure that they have water and snacks.

Ask for their opinions when planning the activities: The activities that you do during the trip should be a mix between things that you want to do and things that your kids find interesting  

If you’re flying somewhere take an earlier flight: The flights can be less crowded and people are more likely to sleep, your kids included.  

Pack lots of activities: Keeping busy is a great way to pass the time and having activities suitable for a kid of any age is always useful. This can include coloring books (of any level), pens, cards, toys for smaller children, and more.

Bring lots of layers and other supplies for any kind of weather: You never know what the day will bring and you want to be prepared for anything to happen. Examples are flashlights, toilet paper, rain jackets, hats, mosquito repellents, sunblocks, comfortable shoes, etc.  

Bring a light blanket in case your kid gets cold on the airline. 

Be prepared for long flights: Many airlines now offer free entertainment if they have a specific app o check if your airline has one of those. If you have a subscription to a streaming service like Netflix or Disney+, have them download movies and episodes to watch. 

Those are just a few of the many tips we have for you. Make sure to check out our blog on how to stay safe while traveling so you know how to keep yourself and your kids safe. We hope that these tips will help you out. 

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On 19 agosto, 2021 • By
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Travel• Travel Tips• What to do

PHOTO VIDEO MEMORIES PROJECT

Do you want to cherish memories and support Peruvian tourism at the same time?  

Call us: 1-866-217-1542 / 703-822-5311 or 703-8225312 /+51 997 593 818 (also Whatsapp) 

Email us: info@magicalcuzcotours.com

WE WILL MAKE YOUR MEMORIES LAST FOREVER!

The current global crisis due to Coronavirus pandemic opened our eyes on the importance of the work made by our tour guides and local drivers who are on the front lines of tourism industry and they do not have the financial ability to survive in this time of crisis. They are now basically unemployed and they have no income to support their families. That is why we decided to work on a way to help Peruvian tourism and especially our people stay afloat during this difficult time.  

We launch a brand-new memories video project; for each video sold we will make a donation to our knowledgeable and reliable tour guides and drivers. The price for the video is US$150.00 total and 100% of our profit will go directly to them. 

We can produce memories videos to share it with your friends and family or simply to have lifetime memories of a special occasion. Our videos are ideal to celebrate a special occasion, a special trip anywhere else or just to celebrate the life of a loved ones as tribute. An anniversary, a birthday, a wedding, a vow renewal, the arrival of a new-born are all special occasions that deserve to remain engraved in our memory. We will help you make it special with a commemorative video made of unedited video shots, photos, visual effects, soundtrack and a customized script. They are also a great gift idea for a dear friend or family member! 

HOW IT WORKS 

  • Send us meaningful photos and video shots 
  • Tell us your story or highlights to be able to create a script 
  • Choose up to 4 music tracks to use for your video 
  • Give us a week to work on it! 
  • Your video will be delivered to your email. 

VIDEO FEATURES 

  • Duration: up to 7 minutes  
  • Customized script based on your story 
  • Linear edition  
  • Visual effects
  • Colorization (the quality depends on photos and video shots provided)
  • Photo editing
  • Soundtrack (up to 4 music track)
  • Sound quality 
  • Voice over (optional) 
  • The video can be delivered in the following formats: full HD; MP4, AVI, WMV, MOV. This is totally up to you! 

THE VALUE OF WORKING WITH US 

  • Commitment to local suppliers: we are committed to support Peruvian tourism and to value the work of those guides who are working on the field with our passengers.  
  • Competitive prices: we offer best value prices for our services compared to other suppliers. Please consider that part of the revenues will be donated to our tour guide. 
  • Flexibility: we are flexible with changes to the video and soundtrack (considering the options you sent at the beginning). As for the script, we will work on it and send it to you for approval, before finalizing the video. Once the video, the soundtrack and the script are approved, you cannot make any change.
  • Reliability: we are reliable supplier and if we offer you to have a video ready for a specific date, we will keep the promise. We always meet deadlines! 
  • Communication standard: we are always an email or a call away from you. We proud ourselves to be very quick in replying to our clients for any requests or issues they might have. 

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On 5 mayo, 2020 • By
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Peru• Travel Tips• What to do• World travel

Best Museums to Visit While in lockdown

Coronovirus pandemic is definitely affecting our lives, but there are still tons of activities you can do virtually, such as visiting museums. This activity is particularly fun and can help you fulfil your desire of being in another place (even if it’s a virtual visit), but this is the time to adjust to the situation and find things to do that can help us cope with this unique and peculiar moment of our history. Also, if you were planning a visit to Peru in this list we also included some of the best Peruvian museums so that you can have a little taste of what you will experience during your future trip to Peru. We know it is going to be soon! ? 

So here a list of museums and art collections that we compile for your use. We got to help each other to overcome these difficult times. We chose to list them in alphabetical order, there is no order of importance or preference here! ?

  • Art Institute, Chicago, US: https://www.artic.edu/collection. The museum has a wide collection with art pieces from different ages. Apart from the collection you can also find other interesting writing and reading resources on their website.
  • Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, Italy: https://www.uffizi.it/en/artworks Here you can find a collection of Renaissance, and you can enjoy paintings by Sandro Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Raffaello, Giotto among others…let’s say the greatest Italian painters of all times. There is also a sculpture section with Greek and Roman arts pieces.
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, US: https://www.metmuseum.org/ The MET has three locations, all temporary closed and here you can enjoy 5000 years of art in one place.
  • Museé du Louvre, Paris, France: https://www.louvre.fr/ On the website of the most famous and largest museum in the world you can take several virtual tours and learn about specific artwork of your interest. 
  • Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain: https://www.museodelprado.es/en/the-collection Here you can enjoy works from Titian, El Greco, Goya, Ruben, van Dyck among others. The collection is quite monumental and you can choose to navigate it by artist or by theme such as saints, social realism, portrait, trades and professions.
  • Museo de Sitio Pachacamac, Lima, Perú: https://visitavirtual.cultura.pe/recorridos/MSPAC/museo-sitio-pachacamac/index.html this museum is located at 32 km south of Lima and it is one of the largest archeological complex in the country. Pachacamac was a sacred site named after the Goda Pacha Kamaq. In the museum you can enjoy several artworks, pottery and textiles from several cultures, among them Wari and Chimu.
  • Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan, Italy: https://pinacotecabrera.org/en/collezioni/filter-collection/ On the Pinacoteca’s website you can find the collection divided by historic phases, from 4000 B.C. to 2000. Every painting is in hype definition, so that you can enjoy them at the most, especially if you are an art expert.
  • Tate Gallery, London, England: https://www.tate.org.uk/art On their website you can find the British collection from 1500 to contemporary art, and learn about artists and the meaning of their works. There are also interesting resources for creative people and creative activities for kids. It is definitely worth a virtual visit!
  • Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands: https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en Here you can find information on the famous painter, tips and interesting resources for creative people and also activities to make with kids during this lockdown time. 

So no excuses then, let’s take this opportunity we have to stay home to do something productive, and learn about artists and their artwork. 

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On 13 abril, 2020 • By
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