FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Lounges in Lima / Cuzco - Cusco / Juliaca available to AA EXP
Old Aug 4, 2013 | 7:32 pm
  #18  
JDiver
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT EXP; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
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If you're headed to Machu Picchu, the best acclimatization is to head to the Sacred Valley (lower than Ollantaytambo), visit (Ollantaytambo (2,792 m / 9,160 ft MSL) is interesting both in the ancient town and in the view of the archaeological zone itself because you can see how it was built, stones that were abandoned on the trail up from the Urubamba Valley, etc.) and take the train to Machu Picchu (2,430 m / 7,972 ft MSL).

THEN see Cusco (3,400 m / 11,200 ft MSL) , Sacsayhuaman, etc. Much better acclimatization schedule, IMO. (The new airport is supposedly to be built in the Valley for that reason, not to mention better density altitude for the airlines - Cusco can be treacherous due to the high density altitude.)

Most farmacias will be able to help - drink lots of water / coca tea (there's no cocaine hydrochloride unless you use a catalyst, and then only small amounts) an can dispense Diamox. Take it easy the first day - unless you know you are fine with high altitude, watch yourself.

Watch out for scammers in Cusco - pickpockets, women and children willing to have their photo taken - but then the woman will say the child(ren) aren't hers and you need to pay the child(ren) as well as her, etc.

If you are there for a while or visit SA, check a membership in South American Explorers (ex SAE Club), with clubhouses in Buenos Aires, Cusco, Lima and Quito and a ton of information online and there about sights, reputable tours, offers Internet, VOIP, luggage storage, events, lectures, etc. (Full disclosure: I am a life member and have been for decades.)

Check the information and contact information for the Cusco VIP Lounge here or e-mail info <at> viploungecusco.com. You can get your oxygen and use the smoking area . (Lest anyone forget, hemoglobin has ~210 time sgreater affinity for carbon monoxide than for oxygen, short enough in supply at CUZ). The lounge (unlike Juliaca) is landside, so no reason, IMO, why you couldn't use it.

I'll be back in Perú later this month - but Lima (with its nasty garua weather at this time of year) and then off to Iquitos and Nauta to catch a river boat for some time in Pacaya-Samiria Natural Reserve / Ucayali and Marañon rivers where they join to form the Amazon.

Originally Posted by Priority Pass
Lounge Information
Airport: Cusco - Alejandro Velasco Astete International (CUZ)

Lounge: VIP LOUNGE CUSCO SAC
Location: Landside - 1st Floor. The Lounge is located on the left hand side of the airline ticket desk zone before the Boarding Taxes payment window.

Opening Hours: 06:30 - 16:30 daily.

Conditions: Children under 6 years are admitted free - Non-smoking.

Additional Information: Alcoholic drinks and long distance telephone calls are both subject to payment.
Originally Posted by SkyTeam777
I wonder if access is granted for Priority Pass members upon arrival at Cusco...would love to stop in and grab a bottle of water to begin the acclimation!

As for departure, with PP, anyone know what the food selection is like?

A bit annoyed at South America's obsession with secondary screening at the gate meaning no buying a bottle of water in the gate area to take on board.
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