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Cusco ClubhouseVISIT THE CUSCO CLUBHOUSE
Drop by to see us in Atoqsaycuchi 670, hang out in the garden, use the wi-fi, get your travel questions answered and research your next adventures. Or just relax and have free tea and coffee, enjoy home-baked cookies and chat with fellow SAE members.
VIRTUAL VISIT - CLUBHOUSE VIDEO To get a preview of what it´s like in the Cusco clubhouse, check out our new clubhouse video, made by your (very talented!) fellow SAE members Bob and Brenna Redpath. You can also check out their website and round the world adventures (including right here in and around Cusco) at their website, FromHereToUncertainty (link below video).
South American Explorers Cusco Clubhouse from FromHereToUncertainty on Vimeo.
IT´S FESTIVAL TIME IN CUSCO!
It´s still a perfect time to be in Cusco - the sun is shining, Machu Picchu and the trekking trails are all open, and many colorful, traditional festivals will be taking place in and around the city over the next few weeks and months. In July one of the main festivals is Peruvian Independence Day observance on July 28th and 29th.
TRAVEL WARNINGSKeep an eye on this spot for updates on transport strikes, weather-related travel issues and other important travel advisories in Cusco and around the south of Peru.
The recent transport strikes that have affected transport to the Quillabamba area northwest of Cusco have been lifted for the moment. But the situation, based on conflicts over exportation of natural gas and high local prices is still not completely settled, so keep an eye on our website for any further updates.
Bolivia had also been experiencing civil unrest and serious transport strikes in the southeast area around Potosi which also affects access to the Uyuni saltflats. Those strikes appear to have been lifted, but it is always a good idea to check with us or other reliable sources on current situations. Both the US and British governments have travel warnings on their websites for example. See the following websites for current travel warnings: British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
FESTIVALSFor a list of some of the major festivals coming up, as well as our SAE clubhouse events, see:
Events in the Cusco Clubhouse and Around Town - Click here!
CLUBHOUSE CLOSINGSThe Cusco Clubhouse will be closed for the following local holidays:
Wednesday, July 28th - Peruvian Independence Day (observed)
MACHU PICCHU BACK TO NORMALVisits to Machu Picchu are back to normal now, with train service now completely restored including from Cusco (Poroy) or Ollantaytambo. Up to date travel info can be had from the two train companies that currently handle all train travel to Aguas Calientes /Machu Picchu:
Perurail at Wanchaq Station, or www.perurail.com, or Inca Rail - offices on Avenida del Sol #611 in Cusco, and at Av. Argentina 3250 Callao in Lima. or you can also make reservations on their website: www.incarail.com.pe
Machu Picchu re-opened to visitors on Thursday, April 1st. Re-opening ceremonies included a blessing of the Pachamama (Earth) by actress Susan Sarandon, well-known for her support of cultural and environmental causes. See the following article Tourists Return to Machu Picchu REMEMBER YOU SAW IT HERE FIRST! The SAE Cusco clubhouse worked hard to keep its members and other travelers up to date on the shifting situation regarding Machu Picchu. We´re proud to report that we were often the first online with the latest breaking news, and were able to help many travelers find out how to fulfill their dreams of visiting this international treasure. Stay tuned with us, we aim to keep you informed!
TREKKERS TAKE NOTE! - You can do any of the treks now, including those in the Lares area, as well as the Choquequirao trek. On Lares - both the village itself and the majority of the treks remain in good condition, and these go through beautiful mountain areas and past lovely, traditional Quechua-speaking villages.
Choquequirao itself is an amazing, extensive site considered the ´second Machu Picchu´ - in fact, many consider this visiting this site to be an even more authentic experience, like visiting MP before it became so ´touristy´. Only about 30% of the site has been uncovered, so you have a chance now to see this site in its authentic state, before it is ´restored´.
HOW TO HELP- Many of you have asked how you could help the victims of the devasting floods and mudslides that have hit Cusco, the Sacred Valley and areas around Machu Picchu. Here is a short list of non-profit organizations that are working directly with the affected communities and can accept donations of money, clothing, food, etc. They may have needs for volunteers, but please contact them directly prior to heading out to these areas:Living Heart Foundation - Ollantaytambohttp://www.livingheartperu.org/help.htmThe devastation to families living in adobe houses near the river has meant they they have lost everything…The most important thing is of course money. The main concern of Living Heart is also being able to maintain the help to the 400 mal nourished children in remote areas where we have maintained help during the past 3 years. Volunteers would need to speak Spanish and/or Quechua to be able to help out.
DESEA Foundation and Kusikawsay School
DESEA work in various sustainable projects in the SV, and the Kusikawsay School building at a cultural centre in Taray (near Pisac, where the bridge washed out). was severely damaged by flooding and erosion - and they’re now appealing for additional support to help with the reconstruction.
Wayki TrekA trekking agency owned and operated by local community members, Wayki have been bringing donations of food, water, clothing and other items to Anta and other remote villages in the SV.
SAE Clubhouse– you can also bring your donations to the clubhouse and we will make sure to get them into the hands of one of the above organizations.Be sure to come to our Pub Quizzes each Wednesday, as the funds raised are dedicated to various charitable causes, including aiding the victims of these recent floods. Pub Quizzes are held at the Real McCoy, Calle Plateros 326, 2nd floor, at 7:30 p.m.
We´re proud to announce that our efforts raised over $500, thanks to our many collaborators!
BACKGROUND -Due to heavy rains over a period of several days in late January, the Cusco area and surrounding regions experienced flooding, mudslides and bridge outages that have severely affected transportation in several sectors. Services/travel affected include the trains to Machu Picchu, which are now running dand the Sanctuary itself is open to visitors.
Mary Finn Manager, SAE Cusco Clubhouse; cuscoclub@gmail.com; 51 84 245484
Cusco Clubhouse Events - Click here!Founded in 1999 the Cusco clubhouse is now well established and welcomes lots of visitors through its doors. Due to its proximity to Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail and the Peruvian Amazon, it is one of the busiest clubhouses. The clubhouse is located in the San Blas District at 670 Atoqsaycuchi. Contact InformationAtoqsaycuchi 670, San Blas, Cusco
Services on offerAs well as the usual SAE services such as trip planning, access to the trip reports and volunteer database, extensive library, reference books, maps guidebooks for sale, luggage storage, safety deposit box, book exchange and wireless internet, we also offer a weekly events program, and the chance to learn about and contribute to local community and environmental projects. Volunteer ResourcesWe have information binders dedicated to those members who are looking for a volunteer project or want to learn about and contribute to local community and environmental projects. The binders are packed with information about organizations looking for volunteers across South America. We also have a collection of greetings cards, notepads and textiles for sale at the clubhouse on behalf of local projects that work with street children, disadvantaged young people and women from rural communities. Supporting local community projectsHere in Cusco , SAE tries to get involved in, and support community projects. In the past successful river clean ups have been organized, involving local students. More recently we have organized clothes donation trips to remote communities in collaboration with local businesses and NGOs Our weekly events program also gives local projects a springboard to promote their work. We often invite local organizations to the clubhouse to give a short presentation about their work in the community and how SAE members and other tourists can get involved. Weekly events ProgramWe have varied social and cultural events ranging from Peruvian Food & Drink Night, Latin American Film Night and BBQs to Quechua class, Andean Medicine talks, Salsa class and visits to a Peruvian fair-trade textile project to name a few!
Our Environmental PolicyIn following one of the aims of South American Explorers to: “ Support scientific field exploration and research in the social and natural sciences as well as charities and NGO´s with aims to improve social, economical and ecological conditions”, last year we set up a recycling center. It is possible to recycle plastic, paper, tins and glass. There is also a facility to refill your plastic bottles with mineral water. We also try to use low energy appliances and attempt to keep our ecological footprint as low as possible in running the clubhouse. We also sell biodegradable soap at the clubhouse for trekkers to reduce their environmental impact when out in the mountains. Cusco Clubhouse Environmental Campaign in the Sacred Valley - Click here for more information!Useful PublicationsThe Cusco Clubhouse has produced a number of free information leaflets offering advice and recommendations to members. The titles are: “Cusco ´s Ultimate Eating and Drinking Guide”, “Enjoy Cusco Safely” , "Weaving in Cusco" and “How can you help?”. Additionally, the "Cusco & Machu Picchu", "Bolivia Climbing", "Jungle", and "Alternative Inca Trails" Information Packets have been updated and are for sale at the clubhouses and on-line. HoursThe Cusco Clubhouse is open from Monday to Friday, 9:30am-5:00pm and on Saturdays from 9:30 - 1pm. Where we areOur main clubhouse is now located on Atoqsaycuchi 670, in San Blas. If you want to come directly to the clubhouse in Cusco, an airport taxi will cost 10 soles (US$3) to anywhere in Cusco, the drivers have a badge which says “Corporación Peruana de Aeropuertos y Aviación Comersial SA” which also has their name and photo. Alternatively, if you go outside the airport you can usually flag down a taxi for 3 -5 soles (US$1- 1.50). If you decide to do this (especially if you have valuables on you) make sure you check carefully for the authorized sign, which is a sticker with “2006 TAXI Autorizado” on the windscreen. Taxis also often have a black and yellow chequer board on the side doors and the license number painted on the doors. Tell the taxi driver to take you to Tandapata in San Blas. He will drop you off at the corner of Tandapata and Atoqsaycuchi and then you go down a few steps and the clubhouse is there on the left. Cusco Founding Life Members:
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