text:
Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a national park in Cuyahoga County and Summit County, Northeast Ohio.

Understand
It is the only national park in Ohio. According to the US National Park Service, the Cuyahoga Valley is the 5th most frequently visited park (3,217,935 recreational visits in 2002) in the National Park System.

Though it is a short distance from urban environments, the park is worlds away. The winding Cuyahoga—the "Crooked River"-was named by Mohawk (Native American tribe)—gives way to rolling floodplain, steep valley walls and ravines, and lush upland forests. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a refuge for flora and fauna, and provides both recreation and solitude for Northeast Ohio's residents and visitors.

History
The park has a rich cultural legacy as well. Exhibiting a historical view of the heart of the industrial revolution, visitor centers provide background on the remains of the Ohio & Erie Canal, which traveled through the valley connecting the St. Lawrence Seaway and the East Coast to the Gulf of Mexico (via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers) in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Sustainable farming ventures help preserve the valley's agricultural heritage. The park offers an array of displays of 19th and early 20th century sustainable farming while catering to contemporary interests with art exhibits, outdoor concerts and scenic railroad tours. It includes compatible use sites not owned by the federal government, including several Metroparks in Cuyahoga and Summit Counties, Blossom Music Center, and the Hale Farm & Village. In the mid 1980s, the park hosted the National Folk Festival.

The park is even connected to sports history—a meadow next to Ohio Route 303 is the former site of the Richfield Coliseum, which had been the Cleveland area's main indoor sports venue before the 1994 opening of what is now Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in downtown Cleveland. The Coliseum was torn down shortly before the national park was established, and the only hint today of the arena's former location is a widened section of Route 303.

Landscape
The park encompasses 51 mi² (134 km² and 33,000 acres) along the banks of the Cuyahoga River, spanning from the major metropolitan areas of Cleveland and Akron and into the hills of the Allegheny Mountain range. The diverse landscape, including sandstone ledges, 70 waterfalls (most notably Brandywine Falls), rolling hills and river gorges, can be viewed from of trails.

Flora and fauna
More than 3,000 species of plants are known to occur in Ohio. Among many other flora, the park boasts maple, oak, birch, beech and hemlock trees. In the autumn, the vibrant colors of the changing leaves are breathtaking, even when viewed from interstate highways. Native wildflowers are abundant and provide a colorful milieu, especially in the spring. Look for Ohio spiderwort, wild hyacinth, trillium, showy orchid, pink lady’s-slipper, purple wood-sorrel, violets, wild blue phlox and Indian paintbrush among more than 250 species that grow in Ohio. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, such as beaver, deer and dozens of bird species including wood duck and heron.

Climate
Enjoy the park any time of year. When the spring blossoms appear, Northeast Ohio temperatures typically range from 40 to 60°F. The warmer summers tend to be sunny and somewhat humid with temperatures in the 70s and 80s fahrenheit (occasionally into the 90s). Northeast Ohio autumns provide breathtaking landscapes of the changing color of leaves and temperatures from the 40s to the 60s. During the winter months, downhill ski the slopes or cross-country ski the trails, but dress for temperatures below with windchill factors occasionally driving the experience below. Average precipitation is fairly steady year round from 2.5 to 3.5 inches per month.

Visitor information

 * Park website
 * Canal Visitor Center, Canal Road, Valley View. operating lock demonstrations

By plane

 * Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, . Cleveland's main airport is located on the west side of the city. The airport is served by most of the major domestic airlines, and it is a hub for United Airlines as well.
 * Akron-Canton Regional Airport, . Visitors could also use this airport which is a 45-minute drive from Cleveland.

By car
Highways providing access to the Park include I-77, I-271, I-80 (Ohio Turnpike), and State Route 8. Park signs are visible from each of these freeways as you get close to the valley.

By train
By Amtrak Lake Shore Limited, it gets in early morning both directions to Cleveland. There is no train service between Cleveland and the miles to Rockside Road.

Fees and permits
Entry into the park is free, but scheduled events, concerts and other activities may be subject to a fee.

By car
Drive the scenic CanalWay, which is clearly marked by signage throughout.

By foot
Walk, bike or run the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath, the soft, fine gravel path provided the course for mules to pull the boats along the canal. Hike the trails.

By train
Ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, stations are in Independence, Peninsula and Akron. Additional intermediate stations are located in Brecksville, Boston Mill, Indigo Lake and Botzum.

See

 * Boston Store. Museum devoted to the history of canal boat building.
 * Hunt Farm Visitor Center. Exhibits about Cuyahoga Valley’s agricultural past.
 * Village of Canal Fulton. Quaint village known for antiques shops and Amish crafts.
 * Fort Laurens State Memorial, Bolivar.
 * New Philadelphia/Dover Area Birthplace of Cy Young, namesake of Major League Baseball pitching award.
 * Boston Store. Museum devoted to the history of canal boat building.
 * Hunt Farm Visitor Center. Exhibits about Cuyahoga Valley’s agricultural past.
 * Village of Canal Fulton. Quaint village known for antiques shops and Amish crafts.
 * Fort Laurens State Memorial, Bolivar.
 * New Philadelphia/Dover Area Birthplace of Cy Young, namesake of Major League Baseball pitching award.
 * Village of Canal Fulton. Quaint village known for antiques shops and Amish crafts.
 * Fort Laurens State Memorial, Bolivar.
 * New Philadelphia/Dover Area Birthplace of Cy Young, namesake of Major League Baseball pitching award.
 * Village of Canal Fulton. Quaint village known for antiques shops and Amish crafts.
 * Fort Laurens State Memorial, Bolivar.
 * New Philadelphia/Dover Area Birthplace of Cy Young, namesake of Major League Baseball pitching award.
 * Fort Laurens State Memorial, Bolivar.
 * New Philadelphia/Dover Area Birthplace of Cy Young, namesake of Major League Baseball pitching award.
 * New Philadelphia/Dover Area Birthplace of Cy Young, namesake of Major League Baseball pitching award.
 * New Philadelphia/Dover Area Birthplace of Cy Young, namesake of Major League Baseball pitching award.

Do

Park trails offer a variety of activities, from rugged backcountry hiking trails to the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, a graded biking and hiking trail with the crushed limestone along portions of the 20-mile (30 km) trail, a former stretch of the 308 mile (496 km) canal.

 * Ski at Brandywine Ski Slopes and Boston Mills Ski Slopes, 7100 Riverview Road, Peninsula. Over 34.1 ha slopes . Ski in the winter and enjoy the Annual Boston Mills Art Festival in the summer.
 * Ski at Brandywine Ski Slopes and Boston Mills Ski Slopes, 7100 Riverview Road, Peninsula. Over 34.1 ha slopes . Ski in the winter and enjoy the Annual Boston Mills Art Festival in the summer.
 * Ski at Brandywine Ski Slopes and Boston Mills Ski Slopes, 7100 Riverview Road, Peninsula. Over 34.1 ha slopes . Ski in the winter and enjoy the Annual Boston Mills Art Festival in the summer.
 * Ski at Brandywine Ski Slopes and Boston Mills Ski Slopes, 7100 Riverview Road, Peninsula. Over 34.1 ha slopes . Ski in the winter and enjoy the Annual Boston Mills Art Festival in the summer.
 * Ski at Brandywine Ski Slopes and Boston Mills Ski Slopes, 7100 Riverview Road, Peninsula. Over 34.1 ha slopes . Ski in the winter and enjoy the Annual Boston Mills Art Festival in the summer.

Buy

 * Canal Visitor Center, Canal Road, Valley View. Souvenir and Gift Shop.
 * Antique shopping in Canal Fulton.

Eat
There are numerous picnic sites throughout the park, but the park itself contains no restaurants or cafeterias. Nearby cities and towns offer numerous dining options.

Drink
Drinking water is available throughout the park. Nearby towns and cities offer numerous coffee houses, breweries, and other drinking options.

Sleep
There are some campsites and inns throughout the park.

Lodging
The Inn at Brandywine Falls (see the Sagamore Hills article) is located within the park boundaries. Additional lodging options can be found in nearby towns and cities.

Camping
The National Park Service offers one primitive campground (no drive-in access):

There are also several State Park campgrounds are nearby:

 * Findlay Lake State Park, 25381 State Route 58, Wellington, +1 440 647-4490, camping and cottages
 * Punderson State Park, Newbury, +1 440 564-2279, camping, cottages and lodge
 * Punderson State Park, Newbury, +1 440 564-2279, camping, cottages and lodge

Backcountry
The backcountry in this unusual National Park takes you into the surrounding cities and towns.

Stay safe
Do not drink water from the streams and ponds. The Cuyahoga River has navigational hazards and highly variable water quality. Swimming, wading, canoeing and kayaking are not advised.

Go next
The park is surrounded by one of the most culturally endowed regions in the US, including the cities of Cleveland, Akron and Canton. Visit New England style towns of the Connecticut Western Reserve, such as Hudson and Medina. Amish communities are of substantial size in nearby Holmes (south and west of the park) and Geauga (north and east of the park) Counties. Head northwest to the Lake Erie Islands, North Coast Beaches and Ohio Wine Country or south to the Wayne National Forest.

title: Cuyahoga Valley National Park


text:
Cuyo

The Cuyo is a region in the west of Argentina bordered in the north and northeast by the Andean Northwest region, in the east and southeast by the Pampas region, in the south by the Patagonia region, and in the west by Chile.

Regions
The following provinces are considered part of the Cuyo:

Other destinations

 * - tallest mountain in the Americas
 * - UNESCO site
 * - UNESCO site
 * - UNESCO site

Do
Learn Spanish in the city of Mendoza to appreciate the culture more.

As with many places in Argentina, there are a variety of Spanish courses and private lessons are available. There are two established language schools, both disorganized but fun, in Mendoza: Intercultural, has a range of afternoon activities especially appropriate for young partiers, and is slightly more expensive; Greenfields (aka COINED, after the web bookers) is smaller and feels even less well organised, but many of the teachers work at both schools.

Another great option for individual or very small tailor-made quality group lessons with a highly trained instructor: Spanish in Mendoza, Argentina (SIMA).

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Cuyo


text:
Cuyo Islands

The Cuyo Islands are a group of islands in Palawan Province, Philippines. The archipelago is in the Sulu Sea, to the northeast of the main island of Palawan, south of Mindoro and west of Panay. There are 45 islands, many of which are uninhabited. Their total land area is 130 km² (50 square miles); population in 2010 was about 46,000.

Understand
Cuyo Island, in the south of the archipelago, is the largest island and has most of the population.

Cuyo is divided into two island groups: the Quiniluban group in the north and the Cuyo group in the south. The largest island in the Cuyo group is Cuyo Island which has an area of 22 square miles and a population of approximately 20,000 people; it is one of the least exploited inhabited islands in the country. It is divided into three municipalities: Cuyo, Agutaya, and Magsaysay.

Cuyo Town
Cuyo Town is the oldest in Palawan Province, with a historic fort which shelters a church and a convent within its high stone walls. Constructed during the Spanish colonial era to protect the population from Moro pirates, it is one of the oldest forts in the Philippines. All the streets in town have been cemented but the town has preserved the hispanic plaza and church structures. Dominating the town centre is Cuyo's church, convent, and fort built by the Spanish and finished in 1680. Nearby stands a schoolhouse, and a park with a monument to national hero Jose Rizal.

Flora and fauna
Cuyo is covered with mango, cashew and coconut trees that gracefully sway in the wind. Thick clumps of bamboo abound.

People
The Cuyonon are very resourceful and have found ways to make the best of what they have like making tuba, a fermented toddy from coconut, and cashew brittle, both local specialties. Life is slow and the epitome of “rural living” in its simplicity, the kind that grows on people who visit the island. Its several beaches, gracious townsfolk, and simple life are its gems.

History
Chinese traders where the first to discover Cuyo island and introduced the trade and barter system in the locality. Later Chief Matunod of Malay origin arrived in big bangkas called “sakayan” and formed settlements on the island. A Malay Muslim by the name Datu Magbanua later also settled in Cuyo. His leadership was so great and powerful that even chieftains from other islands recognized his rule. The Malays brought with them their dances and when blended with native dance, the “Soriano”, it became known as the “pondo-pondo” one of the most popular folk dances even up to the present.

During the leadership of Datu Magbanua, three Chinese Mandarins arrived on the island and settled on Cuyo. The Chinese discovered gold deposits on Mt. Aguado and introduced gold mining, smith working, pottery, and other handicrafts. The natives of Cuyo became suspicious of their presence and were able to drive them out. They sailed to Ilongilong (today known as Iloilo) and formed another settlement called “Parian”.

In 1622, Count San Augustin and five Spanish missionaries colonized the island named by them as Cuyo and introduced Christianity. The friendly character of the people proved to be a blessing to the Spaniards who did not find difficulties in converting the population of Cuyo Island to Christianity. They were immediately able to baptize 500 Cuyonons.

In 1636 a powerful Muslim fleet under Datu Tagul raided Cuyo and other places in Palawan. In Cuyo they attacked the convent and the church and set the town on fire and took with them prisoners including a priest Fr. Francisco de Jesus Maria. They then proceeded to Agutaya and Culion and wrought havoc and destruction on the helpless and defenseless civilians. Again their prized captive was another priest from Culion, Fr. Alonzo de San Augustin who was captured while saying mass. A Spanish naval flotilla of 6 vessels and 250 men under Capt. Nicolas Gonzales met the returning pirates with their loot and booty on December 21, 1636. Datu Tagul was killed, 300 of his men captured and 120 prisoners were liberated. The two captured priests were not so lucky.

Weather
There are two distinct seasons in the Philippines generally distinguished by the rains and prevailing direction of the winds. The amihan season gradually begins in November with winds from the North and lasts until March and is typically drier. The habagat seasonal winds blow in from the southeast from June to October. This also coincides with the monsoon/typhoon season. Cuyo lies to the south of the direct typhoon belt that batters much of the archipelago. Most rain during this period comes in the form of short, heavy downpours bringing a pleasant coolness and lush green vegetation. During the dry amihan there are periods of hot, dusty and windless days. Apart from the April and May doldrums when it's a few degrees hotter, temperatures are nearly always the same regardless of the season being within the equatorial zone.

By plane

 * Cuyo Island is not connected by any airline.

By boat
Ferry services connecting several times a week with Puerto Princesa and Iloilo. Weekly from Manila via Coron

Puerto Princesa to Cuyo
 * Montenegro Shipping: Dep Monday 18:00 - Arr Tuesday 10:00
 * Milagrosa Shipping: Dep Thursday and Sunday 15:00 - Arr Monday 8:00

Cuyo to Puerto Princesa
 * Montenegro Shipping: Dep Saturday 22:00 - Arr Sunday 10:00
 * Milagrosa Shipping: Dep Monday and Friday 15:00 - Arr Tuesday and Saturday 8:00

Iloilo to Cuyo
 * Montenegro Shipping Lines: Dep Saturday 8:00 - Arr Saturday 20:00
 * Milagrosa Shipping Lines: Dep Monday and Thursday 19:00 - Arr Tuesday and Friday 8:00

Cuyo to Iloilo
 * Montenegro Shipping Lines: Dep Tuesday 14:00 - Arr Wednesday 4:00
 * Milagrosa Shipping Lines: Dep Friday 17:00 and Monday 17:00 - Arr Tuesday and Saturday 6:00

Manila – Coron – Cuyo
 * Serrano Shipping Co. - M/V D’Asean Journey (Manila South Port Area Gate 1 near Delfan Port)
 * Manila – Coron Dep Sunday 16:00 - Arr Monday 11:00
 * Coron – Cuyo Dep Monday 17:00 - Arr Tuesday 03:00

Cuyo – Coron – Manila Serrano Shipping Co. - M/V D’Asean Journey
 * Cuyo – Coron Dep Thursday 22:00 - Arr Friday 8:00
 * Coron – Manila Dep Thursday 17:00 - Arr Friday 11:00

These schedules are meant as a guide only and often not precise due to weather, tides, cargo delays and mechanical problems. Make inquiries near your planned departure date with these companies.

Get around
There are lots of tricycles around Cuyo Town. Best to agree on a price before setting out as most units are territorial.

Small motorcycles are available for rent in the public market and at a couple of locations just back one street from the pier.

Bicycles can also be rented. Inquire locally. Local bangka boats are available for island hopping and snorkeling. Visitors are reminded to dispose of their trash properly. If you bring it in, pack it out.

Buy
Most native handicrafts are made elsewhere and brought to Cuyo. Traditional crafts such as pottery and weaving have died out completely. Cuyo is not known for any noteworthy shopping opportunities.

Money transfer
Since there are no ATM/cash machines on Cuyo visitors are advised to budget accordingly. There are however a few options available if funds run short:
 * Western Union now has agencies located near each other. One is a sub-branch located within the Charlie Marketing store in Barangay Cabigsing and the other is just down the street at G-Cash. Both offer currency exchange for US dollars and euros only. Best to compare rates as they are not affiliated.

Eat
Local specialties include:
 * Cashew nuts (salted, roasted, bande, brittle, chewy bars)
 * Lato (an edible seaweed)
 * Combo (saba bananas fried in coconut oil wrapped in a mixture of flour and egg, not like maruya)
 * Bondok (cookies)
 * Tirek (sea urchin)

Sleep

 * Anino Kite Resort located at the most beautiful beach of Cuyo Island in Magsaysay some 20 minutes from Cuyo town at the east shore of Cuyo island with three cottages and four double rooms, all overlooking the beach. Two of the cottages have two extra beds for children. Kitesurfing, kiteboarding, canoeing, swimming, snorkeling, island excursions, etc. Reservations and inquiries: Victoria Peralta +63 929 603 3275. Rates between April and September . Rates between October and March . Same price for single or double occupancy. Occupancy per cottage is maximum two adults & one child below 4 years. Breakfast included in room rates. Kite instruction, free kite storage & kiting assistance. Free rescue service by boat. Free drinking water, coffee & tea. Free wifi. Mobile phone provider Smart (not Globe).

Connect

 * There are several internet cafes in Cuyo Town all using the SMART Network. Connection speeds are typically slow and occasionally not connecting.
 * Cycom Internet Cafe & Airline Ticketing Office: Main Road 50 metres before principal gasoline station: Ronald Palay + 63 9399 064750

title: Cuyo Islands


text:
Cuzamá

Cuzamá is a village of 3,700 people (2010) in the state of Yucatán, in the north of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. It is famed for three beautiful cenotes (cave formations), and is a destination along the Yucatán's Ruta de los Cenotes

Get in
You can get to Cuzama by either bus or by car. If you have rented a car, Cuzama is easy to get to from Mérida. It takes about 45 minutes to get to the town of Cuzuma. Once you arrive in Cuzama, make a right turn at the town square. This is where the church and town hall are located. Look for the road that leads towards Chunkanán and the cenotes' entrance.

If you are going by bus, you will want to go to the Noreste bus terminal in Mérida. This is the second class bus terminal which is at Calle 50 x 65 x 67. The bus will cost around M$32 as of 2010. There are colectivos near the bus station (as of March 2011 they were at Calle 67 between calles 50 and 52 but their location can change) which will also take you to Cuzama. The colectivos (white vans) are generally cheaper and faster. They may seem more intimidating, but the colectivo drivers for Cuzama will approach you and ask you if you are going to Cuzama so it's pretty easy. Check when the last colectivo is leaving from Cuzama that afternoon. You may also consider taking a tour to Cuzama, which is easy, but not necessary.

Get around
The cenote entrance is about 3.3 km (2 miles) from the center of Cuzama. If you took a bus or colectivo to Cuzama, this is where you will be dropped off (in front of the church). You can either walk (follow the signs) or take a bicycle taxi which should cost about US$2 each way. While tips are not required, you may feel that the bicycle taxi kids deserve it after wheeling you back and forth in the intense heat. Consider bringing snacks and water.

See
In the vicinity there are several cenotes, among which a group of three stand out:
 * Chelentún (lying stone)
 * Chansinic'Ché (ant tree)
 * Bolón-Chohol (9 mouse holes)

In Cuzamá there are two temples:
 * one in which the Holy Trinity is venerated, which was built in the 16th century
 * one in honor of San Francisco de Asís of which there is no date of construction, but dates from the colonial era.

Eat
Before you take the tour, you can ask the household in the one and only store to cook for you. There are only two choices: chicken and poc chuc, a Yucatecan tender pork dish. The chicken is good, but the poc chuc is really special.

As you usually eat on your way back from the Cenotes, you can get there really hungry; consider asking for two dishes instead of one. The price is really cheap, about US$3.

Drink? For something different, try one of Yucatan's brand sodas: Krystal. Different flavours, some unusual, about M$8.

Go next

 * Mérida (Mexico)

title: Cuzamá


text:
Cuzco

Cuzco or Cusco (Qosqo in Quechua, Cusco in Spanish), in the Southern Sierras, is a fascinating city that was the capital of the Inca Empire. Cuzco is a and is one of Peru's most visited cities as it is the largest and most comfortable city from which tourists can begin visits to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and other Inca sites in the region.

Understand
Cuzco is a beautiful city with well-preserved colonial architecture, evidence of a rich and complex history. The city is the center of indigenous Quechua culture in the Andes, and walking the streets you see the layers of history. Spanish colonial buildings erected directly atop Inca walls line the square, while the modern tourist nightlife flourishes in their midst. The city is surrounded by a number of ruins, the most impressive being Sacsayhuaman, the site of the 1536 battle in which dozens of Pizarro's men charged uphill to battle the forces of the Inca.

Nowadays, Cuzco is known for its indigenous population—often seen on the streets in traditional clothing—and its substantial tourist-fueled night life.

At 3,400 m above sea level, altitude sickness (soroche) can be a problem. See the Stay healthy section for advice. Altitude sickness tends to sneak up on you and although its symptoms may not be apparent at first, it has the potential to develop into something extremely dangerous.

Machu Picchu is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Latin America, so prices are rising every year.

In and around Cuzco, lots of places and landmarks have multiple spellings: often a Spanish spelling and a Quechua spelling, and sometimes two or three of each! The name of the city, for instance, can be "Cuzco", "Cusco", or even "Qosqo", depending on where you look. Get used to confusion and extra searching when trying to find the name of a place, especially if looking online.

Climate
Has two defined seasons. The dry season: from April to October, with abundant sunshine. The wet season lasts from November to March (in February the Inca Trail is closed).

Tourist office
More information on Cuzco is available from the official Tourist Office:

By plane

 * The small airport serves mainly domestic flights and some limited international connections. Travelers typically connect through Lima to reach Cusco with the following airlines:
 * Avianca (Bogota, La Paz)
 * Latam (Arequipa, Puerto Maldonado, Lima, and Santiago de Chile)
 * JetSmart (Arequipa, Lima)
 * Sky Peru (Lima)

With only 5 gates and a few off the main terminal, this airport is fairly small but because it sees thousands of tourists a day, with restaurants and shops before and after security. Massage facilities and communication services are also available. There are a few ATMs in the check-in area. If you have time, look across the parking lot for last-minute shopping. Construction for a larger airport is underway in Chinchero (30.5 km NW of Cusco). The new Chinchero airport will include additional international flights from outside of Peru and to accommodate more travelers entering the area.

The market rate for a taxi from the airport to the Centro Historico is around S/15 (soles), not S/30 or more as the 'official' airport taxis may try to charge you. The ticket desks for official are by the exit doors before exiting the building with their drivers outside the doors. It is best to use the unofficial cabs and expect to pay around S/10-15 without much trouble. To find these taxis, exit the airport through the main gate and go to the street that is in front of the airport. Head right on the right-hand-side of the street for around 50 m until you hit the taxi stand.

The airport opens at 03:00 in the morning, so if you have to leave early in the morning, do not arrive before 03:00, if so, You will have to wait outside the airport (and it is pretty dark).

By bus
The is on Avenida Vía de Evitamiento # 429, a 2.5 km walk (40 min) southeast from el Centro Historico on Avenida El Sol and San Martin. You can also take a taxi for a few soles. The toilet in the terminal is S/1 at the first level and free for the other one on the second level.

Buses are plentiful to and from other Peruvian and Bolivian cities like Lima (about 22 hr), Puno (6-8 hr), Arequipa (10 hr, S/25 (off season), S/40-S/120), Nasca (14-16 hr), Copacabana (9-12 hr, S/60) and La Paz (12-15 hr, S/90) but are quite long and slow, although the views can compensate. The main roads are mostly quite good, but some can be bad, making trips take longer than expected.

Buses in Peru are not operated to first world standards, especially the cheaper ones. The drivers work long hours and poor maintenance is common. There are frequent accidents, often with fatalities. If you are of nervous disposition, stick with the more upmarket companies.

Peru Hop offers high-end buses to Puno, La Paz, Arequipa, Lima, and places in between. It's geared towards tourists, with stops where you can choose to hop off for sightseeing along the way to Cuzco and back.

Also, make sure your bus has a bathroom or that it stops for bathroom breaks every couple of hours before you buy tickets. There are Puno-Cuzco buses that have/do neither, and that can mean a very long 6–8 hours.

 * Expreso Los Chankas, Pje Cáceres 150. One of the only companies to offer direct service from Ayacucho to Cuzco. S/55 for a 22-hr ride on a semi-cama bus. Buses at 06:30 and 21:00.

By rail
Cuzco is connected to Machu Picchu and Puno by rail. Rail service to Arequipa has been discontinued. Service is operated by PeruRail and Inca Rail. Trains to Machu Picchu (more exactly to Aguas Calientes below), generally operate from Poroy railway station.

Get around
The center of Cuzco is small enough to walk around, although you will probably need to catch a bus or taxi to the bus station, Sacsayhuamán or airport. Beware about walking around at night alone and/or drunk, robberies have often been reported.

Taxis are very common in Cuzco. Officially they cost 2-4 soles depending on distance. Call Cusco Taxi. Often many drivers are not locals. Beware when using taxis at night; robberies have been reported in collusion with taxi cab drivers, at certain times radio taxis may be the safest option. The driver might also try to extort a hefty sum of money (S/15) for a short ride if you don't haggle before - which is likely if you're just arriving at night at the bus terminal and want to avoid the hordes of touts. Just pay S/5 and leave it at that.

Do not get in any taxis which already have a passenger. Do not get in a street taxi by night: order one by telephone.

If you are staying in Cuzco for a long time, the combis are a cheap and reliable form of transportation. These are the Volkswagen vans and small buses with names like Imperial, Batman, or Zorro. It costs about S/0.60 to ride them. If you are unsure if a combi will take you where you want to go, just ask. They will call out the stops as they go and if you want to get off, you just yell "Baja!", as in, "I want to get off!" They run until 22:00. But if you are a fan of lots of personal space, this may not be the best option for you, as they tend to be quite full. Carry your backpack in front of you.

For large groups, a tourist bus can be very convenient to get to places like Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Check with one of the many local travel agencies.

Museums and galleries

 * Galleries; the stunning scenery of the Cuzco area are often very well depicted by local artists. It is possible to find cheap prints that are of surprisingly good quality if you're prepared to shop around.
 * Galleries; the stunning scenery of the Cuzco area are often very well depicted by local artists. It is possible to find cheap prints that are of surprisingly good quality if you're prepared to shop around.
 * Galleries; the stunning scenery of the Cuzco area are often very well depicted by local artists. It is possible to find cheap prints that are of surprisingly good quality if you're prepared to shop around.
 * Galleries; the stunning scenery of the Cuzco area are often very well depicted by local artists. It is possible to find cheap prints that are of surprisingly good quality if you're prepared to shop around.
 * Galleries; the stunning scenery of the Cuzco area are often very well depicted by local artists. It is possible to find cheap prints that are of surprisingly good quality if you're prepared to shop around.
 * Galleries; the stunning scenery of the Cuzco area are often very well depicted by local artists. It is possible to find cheap prints that are of surprisingly good quality if you're prepared to shop around.
 * Galleries; the stunning scenery of the Cuzco area are often very well depicted by local artists. It is possible to find cheap prints that are of surprisingly good quality if you're prepared to shop around.

Historic

 * The stone walls of the city are Inca, particularly near the Plaza de Armas. Unlike the colonial walls, they typically have stones with very straight lines and no mortar.

In Cuzco City

 * Get a massage. You will invariably be propositioned by young ladies handing out flyers advertising massages, especially near the Plaza de Armas. These are legit, only cost S/15-20 for 1 hour, but are not done by trained masseuses. Still, for the price it can't be beat.
 * Play Sapo, a traditional bar game played in chicharias all over Peru. The game involves throwing small coins, called fichas, at a table with a bronze sapo (toad) attached. You get points for making it into holes on the table, and a ton of points for making it into the sapo's mouth. Best played while drinking chicha (corn beer) at a local dive. Ask old men to show you the correct throwing form, as it's difficult to master.
 * Talk to local store owners, curators, waitresses and bartenders. They typically know a little English if your Spanish is not good, and are generally happy to share interesting information about the city not found in guidebooks. This is also a great way to find the best places to try cuy, alpaca, and chicha.
 * Once you are accustomed to the altitude, go for a jog! This is a very humbling experience, as the hills and thin air prove a challenge to even those in great shape. It's also a good way to explore. Head east or south of the plaza for the safest places. If you're a woman out exercising, you may get a few cat calls, as this is common in much of Latin America.
 * Plan trekking or other excursions in the area. The wealth of agencies and tour companies make Cuzco a good place to gather information and compare prices.
 * Ladies in traditional clothing carrying baby alpacas will come up to you and ask if you want a photo. They will charge you S/5 for this. They might charge double if you take a picture with more than one lady. Beware, some of the supposed baby alpacas are actually baby goats or sheep.
 * Plan trekking or other excursions in the area. The wealth of agencies and tour companies make Cuzco a good place to gather information and compare prices.
 * Ladies in traditional clothing carrying baby alpacas will come up to you and ask if you want a photo. They will charge you S/5 for this. They might charge double if you take a picture with more than one lady. Beware, some of the supposed baby alpacas are actually baby goats or sheep.
 * Ladies in traditional clothing carrying baby alpacas will come up to you and ask if you want a photo. They will charge you S/5 for this. They might charge double if you take a picture with more than one lady. Beware, some of the supposed baby alpacas are actually baby goats or sheep.

Day trips from Cuzco
Most day trips from Cuzco follow the following format: between 07:00 and 09:00, you are picked up from your hotel or you meet with your group in a public plaza very near to Plaza de Armas, or at the front door of the agency with which you booked the tour, which is also very likely to be near Plaza de Armas. Then you drive for 1–2 hours to your destination. The day ends back where it started, at 15:00-16:00. In practice this means that you can do only one day trip per day and that it will most likely occur during the beginning part of the day. An exception to this is the day tour of Cuzco which starts later, around 13:00. For all these trips, ask in your hotel if you want them to call travel agencies.

Archaeological day trips

 * Day Trip City Tour or the Four Archaeological Ruins Tour bus around S/25 (Sacsayhuamán, Qenko, Pukapukara and Tambomachay) from 13:00 to 19:00. Alternatively, a local combi (bus) goes between the city and the four sites and costs S/1 to ride. Look for the bus that says "Huerto".

 * Guides and tours to all four sites in one day, If interested, pay/negotiate for a guide at the second control at Sacsayhuamán to tour you through all four sites. Ask the guard at the ticket control which guides have been through the government training. Expect between S/60-80 depending upon the season which is S/15-20 per site. Allow 4-5 hr for the trip when taking the combis (shared buses). Pack a snack although water is available along the way. Bathrooms (clean and well maintained) are only available at the final site Tambomachay. A boleto turisitico is recommended as control points exist at three of the four sites and are carefully monitored.

 * If you don't want to hire a guide, then you could take a taxi or combi to Tambomachay/Pukapukara and walk back down the hill to the remaining sites. This is much kinder on the legs! If you go to the first two sites in the morning, there is a backpacker's cafe about 250 m down the road on the right that does tasty and inexpensive sandwiches and very good fruit juice. The walk down to Q'enqo and Sacsayhuamán has nice views.

 * Day Trip Sacred Valley (Pisaq, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero) tour bus around S/35 from 08:00 to 19:00.
 * Ollantaytambo is the most impressive ruins (after Machu Picchu, of course), it's a must see. There is lots of touristy stuff to buy, you can bargain, but the prices won't go down much.

 * Day Trip Chinchero, Moray and the Salineras de Maras tour bus around S/35 (plus S/10 the entrance of Salinas) from 08:00 to 15:00.
 * Moray was the agricultural laboratory of the Incas. Several concentric circles up to 150 m deep caused temperature changes of between 2-4°C. Seeds were developed here and spread throughout the empire. 67.5 km (42 mi) from Cuzco. Accessible with the boleto turistico. On the same trip you should visit the Salineras de Maras, terraced salt ponds and also Chinchero. The Chinchero market is on Sundays and finishes early in the afternoon. Take the Cuzco-Chinchero-Urubamba bus from Av. Grau 525. Get off at Chinchero first to catch the market then head on to Moray and the Salineras afterwards.

 * Day Trip Valle Sur (Tipon and Pikillacta) tour bus around S/35 (plus S/10 the entrance of Salinas) from 08:00 to 15:00.
 * It makes sense to see Pikillacta and Tipon on the same day as they're on the same bus route. Pikillacta is a little further from Cuzco than Tipon. Tipon has nice terraces, water channels and long staircases its believed to be a part of the Incan royal estate. Here sits the largest irrigation system built by the incas (much of it still functioning) as well as an Incan cemetery. 22.5 km (14 mi) from Cuzco. Both sites accessible with the boleto turistico. Bus Av. De La Cultura 1320, Cuzco to Urcos (Tipon-Pikillacta-Andahuaylilas).

Cuzco and its vicinity have many other smaller and less popular but still interesting Inca ruins, ranging from reasonably well-known to very obscure and difficult to find.

 * Day Trip Waqrapukara An Inca fortress and temple complex, 3-4 hours away from Cusco depending on trailhead choice

Non-archaeological day trips

 * Whitewater rafting, but not in the Sacred Valley of the Incas where the water is very polluted and the rapids are relatively tame. Instead head upstream to the Chuqicahuana or Cusipata sections of the Rio Urubamba/Vilcanota where the water is much cleaner and the rapids are excellent fun up to class 5 depending on what time of year you are traveling.
 * Inflatable canoeing. On the Piñi Pampa section of the Rio Urubamba you can paddle your own canoe, fun but not frantic class 1 and 2 rapids.
 * Rio Apurimac-rafting, If you have more time, try and raft the 3 or 4 day Rio Apurimac - the true source of the Amazon and one of the top ten rafting rivers in the world. Class 3 - 5 all in the most amazing 3,000-m deep canyon. Go with the experts as accidents have occurred and in Peru you pay for what you get, so saving on the costs may seriously reduce the quality and the safety of your trip.
 * Rent a motorcycle. There are several shops on Calle Plateros, just north of Plaza de Armas, that rent motorcycles for the day. You do not even need a motorcycle license, simply any kind of driving license from your home country. Prices are typically US$40/day which includes two helmets, gloves, and jacket. Sacred Valley Moto Tours, at Calle Plateros #399 (corner of Siete Cuartones), has new bikes in good condition. Where to go? A loop of the Sacred Valley, taking in the market at Pisac, lunch in Urubamba, and several Incan sites, can easily be done in one afternoon. The drive from Cuzco to Pisaq is a string of gorgeous switchbacks - and a great way to see the four Inca sites above Cuzco, the aminal sanctuary, and Pisaq on the same day on your own schedule. Or head south to some of the less-visited but just as pretty small towns and Inca ruins.
 * Downhill Mountain Bike Tours are available either across the Chincheros plains, past Inca ruins and down through the spectacular Maras Salineras or the 75 km downhill from Abra Malaga to Santa Maria and onto the totally awesome hot springs of Santa Teresa (and easy and cheap access to Machu Picchu from here too). Again go with the experts as there are a lot of cheap bikes out there totally not up to the job.
 * Go paragliding over the Sacred Valley. The scenery is gorgeous.
 * Go paragliding over the Sacred Valley. The scenery is gorgeous.

Work

 * ProPeru, A great program for students and part of the NGO ProWorld Service Corps. They do sustainable community development work such as building kindergartens, irrigation systems, and fish farms in rural communities in the Sacred Valley. They offer semester programs, internship programs, and short-term group programs, all ranging from a few weeks to a few months. Programs include living with a host family, sightseeing, Spanish classes and other coursework.
 * Sacred Valley communities, For the adventurous, communities in the Sacred Valley often welcome volunteers to teach English or provide other skills to community members.
 * Bruce Peru. In the city, there are many opportunities to work with street children. The most notable is called Bruce Peru. There are also opportunities to volunteer at one of the cities' orphanages.
 * Peru's Challenge: Volunteering at this NGO has provided communities surrounding Cuzco a better quality of life since 2003. More than 800 international volunteers of all ages and walks of life have taught English, sport, dance, art, health and hygiene classes while building schools and infrastructure. Volunteers play a huge part in increasing the wellbeing of rural communities through health and social work campaigns, creation of small businesses and sustainable development. The program includes accommodation, Spanish classes, lots of tours such as a trek to world famous Machu Picchu, trips to the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, Amazon Jungle and other Peruvian cultural experiences.

Buy

 * Mercado de San Blas, a lovely place to enjoy a delicious breakfast before starting a journey.
 * Pisac, a town outside Cuzco, has a very big market. It is about 30 minutes from Cuzco by bus. The bus station is on Tullumayo street a couple blocks from Limacpampas. The fare is very cheap, and you can see the Incan ruins at Pisac.
 * Sacred Valley, (Valle Sagrado), includes the towns/ruins of Chinchero, Ollantaytambo and Pisac. There is lots of touristy stuff to buy, you can bargain, but the prices won´t go down much.
 * Mercado de San Blas, a lovely place to enjoy a delicious breakfast before starting a journey.
 * Pisac, a town outside Cuzco, has a very big market. It is about 30 minutes from Cuzco by bus. The bus station is on Tullumayo street a couple blocks from Limacpampas. The fare is very cheap, and you can see the Incan ruins at Pisac.
 * Sacred Valley, (Valle Sagrado), includes the towns/ruins of Chinchero, Ollantaytambo and Pisac. There is lots of touristy stuff to buy, you can bargain, but the prices won´t go down much.
 * Sacred Valley, (Valle Sagrado), includes the towns/ruins of Chinchero, Ollantaytambo and Pisac. There is lots of touristy stuff to buy, you can bargain, but the prices won´t go down much.

The indigenous women at El Centro Bartolome de Las Casas have a store in which they sell homemade handicrafts and weavings. You can often watch them work, though they often don't speak Spanish, and rarely speak a word of English. It's a few blocks from the plaza on Avenida Tullumayu.

The further away you get from the main square, the cheaper things become. In the San-Pedro market where a glass of combination juices starts at S/3, and they give you a couple of refills. Don't go too far from the main square at night though, it can be dangerous.

Alpaca sweaters are not like they used to be. The only good ones are in upmarket shops. The best places to buy the cheap (i.e. alpaca-synthetic blend) sweaters are Arequipa and Cuzco but if you know where to look, you can find them at a good price in Lima as well at certain markets. Make sure you come to Cuzco with room in your suitcase, you will need it.

In Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu, prices can be double what they are in Cuzco.

Eat

The Cuzco area has some extremely good international food with tasty options for all budgets. Excellent at the end of the Av. La Cultura. Be sure to try an alpaca steak (don't forget a llama/alpaca is normally kept and used for its wool - so only old animals will be slaughtered). You can get alpaca pizza as well.

The soups are amazing. Try sopa de zapallo, a type of pumpkin soup.

If you are looking for traditional Peruvian food try lomo saltado (beef tips stir-fried with tomatoes, onions, and spices, over a bed of French fries and rice), aji de gallina (chicken in a very good yellow pepper sauce with olives and hard-boiled eggs), or papa rellena (stuffed potato with beef, olives, hard-boiled egg, vegetables, and spices).

Cuy (guinea pig) is the absolute traditional holiday food of the region. You can buy a whole cooked cuy in many of the restaurants around Plaza de Armas. In 2018 cuy cost S/60-70 at all these places. There are also dedicated 'cuyerias' that serve much cheaper cuy.

Chifa is the Peruvian version of Chinese food. The neighborhood of Wanchaq has many Chifa restaurants.

As far as drinks, try Inca Kola, a bubble gum/tutti-frutti-flavored yellow soda. This drink outsells Coca-Cola in Peru (which is why it was bought out by Coca-Cola in 1999). Also, chicha morada is a Peruvian specialty. It's a spiced non-alcoholic drink made out of purple corn.

When leaving Cuzco, there is a place called Boing Appetit (in front of the airport, just if you want to have breakfast or a sandwich before take the plane to Lima) its the only place that provides a free internet connection in front of the airport.

Mid-range

 * Right outside of Jack's is an empanada stand which has great rocoto salsa, a spicy salsa that goes well on the cheese or meat-stuffed pastries.
 * Right outside of Jack's is an empanada stand which has great rocoto salsa, a spicy salsa that goes well on the cheese or meat-stuffed pastries.
 * Right outside of Jack's is an empanada stand which has great rocoto salsa, a spicy salsa that goes well on the cheese or meat-stuffed pastries.

Supermarkets
There are several supermarkets close to el centro:

 * Mega, has several locations: the most central is on Matara, just north of Ayacucho. A larger one is at Plaza Tupac Amaru, on Matará 271 at Av Garcilaso. They have a home-furnishings store next door as well.
 * Mega, has several locations: the most central is on Matara, just north of Ayacucho. A larger one is at Plaza Tupac Amaru, on Matará 271 at Av Garcilaso. They have a home-furnishings store next door as well.

For larger supermarkets, take a combi or taxi a couple of kilometres south on Av. La Cultura.

Drink
There are many clubs and pubs in Cuzco, and there are always people handing out flyers around the Plaza de Armas. These usually include free drinks. The clubs are almost always busy, even during the week, do not usually have cover charges, and most are open until 03:00 at the earliest and 17:00 at the latest. The hot spots change nightly; ask around and you will quickly find the crowds of travellers.

 * El Muki. Across the street from Mama America. A place with more locals than the Plaza de Armas. It has a unique cave-like interior and is one of the city's oldest discos.
 * El Muki. Across the street from Mama America. A place with more locals than the Plaza de Armas. It has a unique cave-like interior and is one of the city's oldest discos.

Sleep
Loads and loads of options in Cuzco to suit all budgets. Most won't need to be booked beforehand. San Blas, many new hospedajes/hostales have opened in this area 4 blocks up the hill from the Plaza de Armas.

What to wear

 * June–August. Cuzco can be very hot during the day and quite cold in the early morning and late at night. If you get cold easily, you might want to carry a hat, gloves, and several layers in your day pack to use at night, that you can peel off during the day for complete summer mode
 * Shoes. Cuzco is somewhat dusty and you will be very happy wearing a boot and sneaker mix such as Keens, rather than for example flip flops.

Stay safe
Law enforcement related to drugs is very severe in Peru - that is, years in prison and no pleasure. Consider that many "long resident tourists" are part of the scene. It is already a felony that you "consider to maybe accept" an offer to buy.

Although Cuzco is, in general, relatively safe, as in any urban area, muggings and petty thefts do occur. Use common sense and you should be fine. Don't wander alone away from the Plaza de Armas late at night. Don't flaunt your valuables around. Be conscious of what is going on around you. As Peru's main tourist attraction, Cuzco is a magnet for thieves and scammers. Pickpocketing (especially by children) is a major problem. New scams are being thought of all the time. For example, be wary if you are approached by people trying to sell you stuff in the streets and try to strike up a long conversation. It's possible that they are distracting you while someone else is pickpocketing you. By night, it's not wise to venture away from the main well lit areas. The markets, bus station and other crowded areas are the epicentres for these activities. Often targets are distracted by some strange going on (e.g. fight or dispute) whilst another person performs the robbery. Only take taxis that are well marked, and if you are taking a taxi alone at night, write down the number and call a friend (or pretend to call a friend if you don't have a phone) saying, so the driver can hear, that you are coming home in taxi #... Also, try not to set yourself apart as a clueless tourist by wearing expensive or flashy clothing or revealing clothing in a particularly conservative region of Peru (the locals do not wear shorts and tank-tops around).

Watch for the feral dogs that hit the streets at night, rummaging through trash. Peruvians love dogs, and most of the time the animals are friendly. Just use common sense and project confidence and you shouldn't be bothered. If you feel threatened let the dogs see you pick up a rock off the ground, or if there are no rocks simply act like you picked one up. The dogs seem to know what this means and they'll slowly back off.

There are a number of beggars in the streets of Cuzco, most of them children. They will tell you the money is for schooling. Giving to beggars is a moral decision each individual can make. If you don't want them to follow you around, a stern 'no' will suffice. Please see the article on begging.

Stay healthy
For most travellers, at 3,400 meters, Cuzco is the highest point on their trip (or any trip for that matter); altitude sickness is a big problem - you may become winded after even minor exertion (other symptoms include headache and nausea). If you've had trouble at high elevation in the past, arrive a day early to acclimate. Remember on the first day to take it slow and stay away from the bars the first night. Most hotels offer coca tea (coca leaves are the traditional native remedy for altitude sickness) and finding products made out of coca like coca candy is easy to find in Cuzco, but their effect is doubtful. If you expect to get drug tested upon your return home, however, avoid all products with coca, drink plenty of water and look into Diamox Sequels in USA or Glaucozol in Peru (drug: acetazolamide) (available at a pharmacy) to help deal with the adjustment period. Acetazolamide is a diuretic (so, you will be peeing every 2 hours, quite annoying). Another option (probably the best) is the famous Sorojchi pills (drugs: Acetylsalicylic Acid, Salofeno and Cafeine).

To avoid upset stomach doctors recommend that you drink only bottled water and avoid uncooked vegetables and fruits that you haven't peeled, even in hotels.

At this elevation and not far from the Equator, there's a risk for serious sunburns. According to a study Cuzco is the city with the highest average level of UV-radiation in the world. Protect your skin and eyes!

Go next

 * Ccaccaccollo, Traditional fabric making from Llama shearing to weaving in this township.

 * Pisac, Colorful marketplace, climb up to the expansive ruins to the religious site and cemetery behind. 32 km (20 mi) from Cuzco. Accessible with the boleto turistico.
 * Ollantaytambo, Religious center that doubled as a fortress during the Spanish conquest . A great place to visit on the return from Machu Picchu or an alternative if you don't want to visit Machu Picchu. Great place to stay too. 77 km (48 mi) from Cuzco. Accessible with the boleto turistico.
 * Lake Titicaca, PeruRail connects Cuzco to Juliaca and Puno, and the journey is one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world, passing through amazing scenery and the middle of small towns. The journey should take 10 hr, but there are often delays. The 'scenic stop' included at La Raya is a bit of a waste of time, though it's included anyway. Prices are high, and the cheap backpacker train no longer runs this route, having been sent to the Poroy (Cuzco) - Machu Picchu line. The trip from Cuzco to Puno runs about US$220 each way now.

 * There are several buses that travel to Lake Titicaca, which are much cheaper and take less time than the train, while passing much of the same scenery. The more expensive buses stop at 5 or 6 interesting spots along the trip, including the "Sistine Chapel of South America".

 * Machu Picchu: the atmospheric ruin perched below the Andes and above the jungle. For the best experience, walk there on the Inca Trail or one of the alternative trails, which is certainly worth the exercise! There are numerous tour companies which organise such trips, costing US$365–450 with all travel costs. There are lots of companies offering a 4-day "Jungle Trek" as an alternative to the Inca Trail, or 2-day, one-night trips for US$260-270 (Mar 2018) including hostel accommodation. A one-way train trip (Jan-Apr, it's a bus to Ollantaytambo and train to Aguas Calientes) on Inca Rail or PeruRail starts at US$65 each way. Prices rise depending on time of day, demand and class of train. Both companies can sell you tickets to the Machu Picchu site (for a $5 surcharge), tickets for the bus from Aguas Calientes to the site ($24 round-trip). This trip takes just under 4 hours. The trains begin and end at Poroy - you must take a bus or taxi from Cuzco to Poroy. You can also get to Machu Picchu from Cuzco in a "cheap" way, first a minibus for round trip for S/95 (May 2015) to Hidroelectrica, then walking 3 hr to Aguas Calientes or just take train for US$28 (May 2015); for more details about this option, see Aguas Calientes.
 * Choquequirao: like Machu Picchu a big Inca ruin area at the edge of a mountain with great view. It offers much bigger area and terraces but less housing. Not as fabulous as Machu Picchu but definitely worth a visit. Only accessible by trekking (possibility to continue to Machu Picchu). Very few visitors are brave enough to make the trek. BTW, it's cheaper.
 * Ausangate: a high-altitude, dramatic alternative to the treks above, without historic sites but with amazing scenery.
 * Puno: visiting Lake Titicaca is the perfect way to complete a journey to the Southern Andes. It is possible to travel from Cuzco taking a direct 30-minute flight, traveling by train or by road, which allows stopping at various interesting sites on the route such as Andahuaylillas, Piquillacta, Tipon, Huaro, Raqchi or Lampa as well as witnessing stunning landscapes.
 * La Paz (Bolivia): there are overnight buses direct from Cuzco to La Paz that pass through Desaguadero. The duration seems to be about 15-17 hr long. Or go from Cuzco to Copacabana, Bolivia, (about 10 hr) and from there onto La Paz (about 2 hr).
 * Machiguenga Center for Tropical Research: 100% indigenous owned rainforest lodge in the Amazon. Macaw clay licks. Immediately downstream from the Pongo de Mainique canyon on Rio Urubamba. It seems like you have to go through a tour operator packages include flights in and out.

There are several smaller bus terminals in Cuzco that travel to other destinations around the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

 * Av. Grau 525, Cuzco—Chinchero - Urubamba.
 * Calle Puputi 208, Cuzco—Pisac - Yucay - Urubamba.
 * Av. Tullumayo 207, Cuzco—Pisac - Calca.
 * Av. De La Cultura 1320, Cuzco—Urcos (Tipon - Piquillacta - Andahuaylilas).

title: Cuzco


text:
Cwmbran

Cwmbran (Welsh: Cwmbrân) is a new town in Monmouthshire, South Wales. It has a population of about 50,000 (2011), and has mainly been constructed since the 1950s.

Get in
The town is served by a railway line from Newport in the south to Abergavenny and Hereford in the north.

A frequent bus service is also available from Newport and Pontypool.

Go next

 * Pontypool
 * Blaenavon
 * Newport (Monmouthshire)
 * Usk
 * Caerphilly

title: Cwmbran


text:
Cyangugu

Cyangugu is a city of about 64,000 people (2015) in Rusizi District in Western Province of Rwanda.

Understand
Pronounced something like "Tchangugu", this is a city right on the southern tip of Lake Kivu, as well as Changugu proper the term also refers to Kamembe, a town a few km away just up a hill overlooking the lake. Cyangugu itself is the low-density district on the lake shore, while Kamembe, the higher density industrial and transport centre is further inland and to the north.

Primarily this town is used as a stopover to or from Bukavu in southern DRC, however it is a pleasant place to spend a few days.

Get in
There are regular buses and minibuses to Butare and Kigali in Rwanda. The town is right on the border with Bukavu and DRC. There is also a road south to Bugarama and from there to either DRC or Burundi. This is less frequented than the route east to Butare but it should be possible to arrange transport.

Rusizi District is about 141 km south-west of Kigali. From Kigali Nyabugogo there are buses like Omega Bus, and Ritico Bus.

Take a boat on Lake Kivu from Kibuye/Karongi or from Gisenyi/Rubavu.

Kamembe International Airport is the nearest airport. RwandAir flies from Kigali International Airport 11 times a week.

Get around
Taxi-moto (motorbike taxis) are the main form of transport within Cyangugu (and between Cyangugu and Kamembe).

See
The southern end of Lake Kivu is Kamembe and Rusizi is one of the three lake ports of Lake Kivu along with Karongi and Rubavu.

Do
Nyungwe National Park is 54 km along the Butare road (not 20 km as the sign in town says). The western half of Nyungwe National Park is a place for chimpanzee, Columbus Monkey, bird watching, waterfalls, hiking and villages.

Buy
Cyangugu is a useful place to stock up if you're heading to Nyungwe national park.

Eat
All the usual Rwandan fayer is easily available from lunchtime buffets to brochettes.

Sleep
There is a range of guest houses and hotels from around 3'000Francs upwards.

 * Moriah Hill Resort
 * Kivu Marina Bay Hotel
 * Moriah Hill Resort
 * Kivu Marina Bay Hotel
 * Kivu Marina Bay Hotel

title: Cyangugu


text:
Cyclades

The Cyclades are a group of Greek Islands, located in the southern part of the Aegean Sea (south of Athens and north of Crete). The archipelago contains some 2,200 islands, islets and rocks; but only 33 islands are inhabited. The Cyclades are best known for the islands of Santorini and Mykonos, but plenty of less heavily-touristed islands can be found here.

Cities
Ermoupolis (Syros) is the capital of the Cyclades.

Most of the Cyclades have one main town which has the same name as the island. Some larger towns which have names of their own include:

 * — the capital of the Santorini archipelago
 * — on Thira, the largest island of Santorini, known for its beautiful buildings and sunset views
 * — beautiful port city on Syros, known for its history and architecture
 * — port of Sifnos
 * and Artemona — adjacent main towns of Sifnos
 * — medieval town of Sifnos

Understand
The Cyclades are the Greece of the travel posters: bare rocky islands adorned with brilliantly white cubistic villages soaring on hills above the wine-dark sea, and fringed with terrific beaches. Since all the world has discovered this, they tend to be very crowded with visitors, especially in high summer. But most visitors feel the islands' attractions are worth putting up with the crowds.

Kyklos is the Greek word for circle. Because the islands are set up in a circle around Delos the islands are named Cyclades. The best time to visit the Cyclades is May through June (early season, accommodation is much cheaper and it's not that hot), or September through mid-October (post season). In high summer (July and August), though it's the most popular season, these islands for that reason get extremely crowded and hotel prices are at their highest; furthermore, the weather then can be very hot, and some islands may suffer water shortages. In the whole period mid-May through mid-October it's usually warm enough to enjoy the beaches, but in some years you risk unseasonably chilly weather at the beginning or end of this period. In October the weather changes and rain starts to fall. Ferry schedules are reduced out of season. The Cyclades are also famous for the constant wind (called meltemi) in July and August that mitigates the heat a bit.

By plane
Regular (mostly daily) flights from Athens to Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Santorini, Milos and Syros operated by Olympic Air and Aegean Airlines. In high season there are also less frequent flights from Rhodes, Crete (Heraklion) and Volos by Sky Express. From May till October charter airlines fly directly to Santorini and Mykonos from many European airports.

By ferry
From the Greek mainland ferries and highspeed catamaran services run daily from Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio. Ferries operate to all the islands in the Cyclades, some of the larger islands also have a highspeed catamaran service. Ferry trips are four to five hours to the closest islands (Kythnos, Syros, Tinos, Mykonos and Sifnos) and from eight to ten hours to the furthest (Santorini) depending on the number of stops. The highspeeds take half the time but cost twice as much. There are daily ferries from Piraeus to all of these islands, with the exception of Kea and Kythnos which you get to from Lavrio and Andros which you get to from Rafina.

Many travelers probably consider Rafina not a possible departure port if they are heading to one of the Cyclades, but if you are arriving at the airport of Athens, you are often better off taking a ferry from Rafina than traveling to Athens and get a ferry from Piraeus.

Many boat services stop working by end of October and resume by April. Check with the operator before making departure plans as the services are subject to delays and cancellations in adverse weather.

 * Hellenic Seaways. There are two fast car ferries (Nissos Mykonos and Nissos Rodos) in addition to the high speed catamarans Highspeed 1, Highspeed 4, Highspeed 5, Highspeed 6, Flyingcat 3 and Flyingcat 4 " . "Deck class" is a cheapest way to go around the Cyclades, you can sleep outside, on the deck.
 * Hellenic Seaways Express Apollon. Really old-fleet boats. Consider flying instead, even if it costs times more. Distinguished Class: first few cabins are really shaky (and hard-to-sleep in); too intensive conditioner in saloon. Take your tickets if you go to DC-saloon, other-class passengers are not allowed there. In Piraeus, the boat is ready for boarding 2 hrs before departure time. While in the port of Piraeus, you may leave luggage in your cabin in the port.
 * Hellenic Seaways Highspeed. Bright red Vodafone-logo boats; most popular and recommended sea transport, at least to Santorini.
 * Blu Star Ferries. They operate BlueStar 1 & 2, Blue Star Paros, Naxos and Ithaki from Piraeus plus Superferry I from Rafina
 * Aegean speed lines. The 3 Speed Runners are high speed ferries operating from Piraeus to most of the Cyclades islands.
 * Seajets. SuperJet departs from Piraeus: Milos, Folegandros, Syros, Santorini, Koufonissi, Amorgos. SeaJet 2 departs from Rafina: Tinos, Mykonos, Paros.

Get around
Travel by ferry. They are safe, regular, cheap and fun. The biggest ferry hub within the Cyclades is in Paros which has links to many islands.

Be prepared that travelling by ferry can be tedious in high season when ferries are really crowded. Usually there are two types of ferries: The ordinary ones and the speedboats (hydrofoils, which are much more expensive).

Also, ferries may be cancelled due to sea and weather conditions so don't leave on the last ferry before your flight, especially if it is windy. Seas are calmer at night, so the late evening and early morning ferries are the most likely to operate.

Tickets for ferries can be usually bought from travel agencies which are located around the local port.

See
If you visit the Cyclades for the very first time go for Santorini, Mykonos and Paros. If you want to get rid of the crowds go for the smaller islands such as Folegandros or Amorgos.

Do

 * Island hopping - this is very popular within the Cyclades. If you have more than one week, this might be an option for you since ferry schedules are excellent and every island has its own charm.

Eat
See Greece for more information on Greek cuisine.

Drink
If visiting in winter season, try Ρακόμελο (pronounced rakomelo). The local people drink this hot drink to warm them up on a cold day. Ingredients are raki, honey and hot water.

Stay safe
The Cyclades are very safe. Travelers should exercise usual precautions.

Be aware of rental scams, especially with agencies working only with motorbikes and ATVs. Using these types of vehicles is very common on Cyclades and there are a lot of rental agencies. Some of them are ready to cheat. They will offer faulty motorbikes or ATVs for a lower price, but in case of accident they will demand that the customer pay for the whole cost of damage. They are offering only basic insurance but will present it like full insurance. Also, there is a big possibility of serious injuries.

It is possible to recognize these rental agencies by observing them aggressively attracting tourists and offering lower prices than others. Employees in front of these type of agencies will be loud and ready to promise everything until the contract is signed. It is necessary to check the vehicle before making any decision. Their vehicles are in most of the cases dusty, dirty and look old.

Go next
Head on down to Crete when you are done with the Cyclades. If you have plenty of time you might want to go to other Greek islands belonging to the Dodecanese, the Ionian Islands or the Sporades as well.

Cyclades

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Cycling in Scotland

With rugged terrain and sometimes harsh weather, Scotland can be challenging to cyclists.

Maps
A good start online is Open Cycle Maps.

Roads and touring
There are many quiet roads throughout rural Scotland, suitable for cycling. Routes of the National Cycle Network span the country, made up of quiet country roads and traffic-free paths.

Both A- and B- roads may be quite busy in the central belt, in and between major conurbations, and in summer on main tourist routes; you may wish to plan your journey to avoid these roads if you are uncomfortable cycling in traffic.

Cycling Scotland from Scotland’s National Tourist Board publishes a list of cycling routes throughout Scotland.

Mountain biking in the Cairngorms
Mountain biking in the Cairngorms National Park combines superb off-road trails and natural singletrack with spectacular scenery. There are trails for most abilities, from mapped and waymarked routes to more challenging unwaymarked epic rides through this rugged, mountainous area. There’s also Laggan Wolftrax, a dedicated MTB trail centre, run by Forestry Commission Scotland.

Cycling for families and novices

For families and more leisurely cyclists the waymarked trails on the Rothiemurchus Estate are ideal, rolling through old Scots pine forest, with glimpses of the nearby loch and ruined castle. Route maps are available at the Rothiemurchus Visitor Centre.

The trails start from the village of Inverdruie – easily reachable via bike track from Aviemore. The 9-km Loch an Eilein and 8-km Lochan Deo routes are easy-graded, while the longer, 16-km Ancient Forest route, which heads out to Loch Morlich via Coylumbridge, is slightly more challenging given the distance, but still within the capabilities of most families.

Glenlivet Estate, part of the Crown Estate, (Tomintoul) has a network of six waymarked cross-country mountain bike routes ranging from 12 km to 28 km. Using forest track, moorland track, farmland and minor roads the routes provide access to some stunning areas of the estate including the Carn Daimh viewpoint at 570 m offering panoramic views across the area. A free map of the routes is available here.

The Speyside Way also links up a number of towns and is great family, low level or mtb trail touring.

Unmarked routes

Cairngorms National Park has an excellent range of unmarked trails. Moor of Feshie is ideal for a gentler ride of this type, but this is a vast, rugged, mountainous area, so there’s great scope for epic outings and multi-day adventures:

 * Ride from Inverdruie to Braemar via Glen Feshie on a multitude of interweaving paths and trails.

 * Take the Burma Road route - a classic - with a stiff ascent and some fine cross-country riding.

 * 33-km on dirt tracks through the Ryvoan Pass, via Abernethy, around the back of the Kincardine Hills and back over the Sluggan Pass to Loch Morlich.

 * 19-km return trip from Lochan Deo to Loch Einich, via Glen Einich: tough, stunning views, and a wade through a boulder-filled river.

Great trail riding can also be found around Nethy Bridge, Grantown on Spey and on the eastern side of the Cairngorms massif.

Laggan Wolftrax

Set in the natural beauty of Strathmashie Forest, Wolftrax provides a green-graded beginners' trail, the thrills of a big-and-bermy Bike Park, a fast red-graded route packed with features and a black-graded trail that's possibly the most technical of its type in Scotland. A café, bike shop and hire is on site.

All riders should be aware of the Scottish Outdoor access code and the forest cycling code.

Mountain biking on the 7stanes
The 7stanes is a series of mountain bike trails in forests throughout the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway.

Centres are at Glentrool, Kirroughtree, Dalbeattie, Mabie, Ae, Tweed Valley (Glentress and Innerleithen) and Newcastleton.

Mountain biking at Nevis Range
Nevis Range, near Fort William, has cross-country, downhill and 4-cross courses and hosts a round of the UCI mountain bike World Cup every year.

Itineraries

 * Great Glen Way, a route for walkers and mountain bike in the Scottish Highlands.
 * Speyside Way is a walking and cycling route in Northeast Scotland.

Related articles

 * Cycling in England and Wales

title: Cycling in Scotland


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Cygnet

Cygnet is a small town in the Huon Valley region of Southern Tasmania, of population 839. It is nessled in an apple and berry growing district, a short distance from the Huon river, amongst ungulating hills and valleys.

The township has a burgeoning artistic community and a number of excellent cafes, restaurants and galleries. There is much local agricultural produce that can be procured from the side of the road and forms a theme through the local cuisine. The best produce, food and art is best found by asking one of the many friendly locals or shopkeepers. This is a town with an old fashioned small town ethos with a unique Tasmanian fusion of art and agrarianism.

Get in
Cygnet is a 56-km (50-minute) drive south-west from Hobart. The township is within an hour from the Hartz mountains national park and many other local towns. An irregular bus service to Huonville is run by Tassielink.

Go next

 * Bruny Island
 * Geeveston

title: Cygnet


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Cypress

Cypress is a city in Orange County in Southern California.

Understand
This is a mixed of residential and business area. As it is the location of regional offices for companies such as United Health, Siemens, Yamaha and Mitsubishi Motor Sales, and the headquarters of Vans, there are a number of reasonable hotels and food chains in the area. Prices on the weekend tend to be cheaper that those near the amusement parks in Buena Park and Anaheim.

Get in
Directions from Los Angeles International Airport

Take the 105 Freeway East, to the 605 Freeway South. Exit on Spring/Cerritos and turn left. (30 miles).

Directions from Orange County John Wayne Airport

Take the 405 Freeway North. Exit on Valley View Avenue. Turn left at the end of the exit ramp, then turn right onto Valley View. (20 miles).

Directions from Long Beach Airport

Go east on Wardlow Rd. Wardlow Rd turns into Ball Rd. (7 miles).

title: Cypress