Cusco’s airport (tel. 084/22-2611) is 10 minutes south of town and the taxi ride costs about US$2.50. Taxes for domestic flights are US$5.84 pp.

All Cusco-bound travelers must first arrive in Lima and then board another plane in Cusco, for which there are currently three main operators. To approach Cusco’s airport, planes must fly at considerable altitude and down a narrow valley, passing ice-covered Nevado Salcantay en route. Because of the tricky approach and winds, afternoon flights are frequently cancelled. If possible, fly in and out of Cusco in the morning.

LAN (Av. El Sol 627-B, tel. 084/25-5552 or Lima tel. 01/213-8200, www.lan.com) is the most reliable airline and has more than 10 Cusco-bound flights a day. It often has very good offers if you book ahead of time. Star Perú (Av. El Sol 627, tel. 084/25-3791 or 084/23-4060, www.starperu.com) and Taca (Av. El Sol 602-B, tel. 084/24-9921 or 084/24-9922, Lima tel. 01/213-7000, www.taca.com) are also reliable and sometimes have cheaper flights.

In addition, LAN has daily flights from Lima and Cusco to Puerto Maldonado and Arequipa, as well as various other destinations around Peru. Star Perú also flies from Lima or Cusco to Puerto Maldonado and from Lima to other Peruvian destinations.