Peru in cash.
Machu Picchu as the mist lifts, Inca Cusco on living foundations, Lake Titicaca and its reed islands, Lima's table at the world's summit. The sol is spent in markets, taxis and marvels.
Helvetica Exchange prepares your PEN travel envelope at Rue Pierre-Fatio 19, 1204 Geneva (Rive district) — the posted rate, no separate commission, Monday–Friday 08:30–18:30 and Saturday 09:00–17:00. Reserve and your rate is held for 3 hours during opening hours; ID from the LBA thresholds.
The cities, chosen.
Cusco & the Sacred Valley
The navel of the Inca world — cyclopean walls beneath colonial balconies.
Machu Picchu — Timed tickets (book weeks ahead) + train + shuttle — dawn through the Sun Gate remains the grail.
Pisac & Ollantaytambo — Vertiginous terraces, an Andean market, the staircase fortress.
Puno & Lake Titicaca
The world's highest navigable lake — 3'812 m of sky in the water.
The floating Uros islands — Villages of woven totora — craftwork in cash, smiles guaranteed.
Taquile island — The men's UNESCO-listed knitting, lake trout facing Bolivian summits.
Lima
The gastronomic capital of the Americas, facing the Pacific.
A Miraflores cevichería — Leche de tigre and pisco sour — the lunch that justifies the journey.
Barranco — The bohemian quarter, Bridge of Sighs and street art.
Getting around.
Fly Lima–Cusco (1 h 20), then rail to Aguas Calientes. Acclimatise two days in Cusco (3'400 m) — coca leaves and calm. Colectivos and markets run on cash everywhere.
Cash & banknotes.
PEN 90–170 a day (hotel aside) covers museums, two fine meals and local transport — Machu Picchu itself (ticket + train) is the big line: PEN 600–900. Altitude is real: two gentle days, water, coca tea.
| Rate reservation | held 3 hours, during opening hours |
| Counter hours | Mon–Fri 08:30–18:30 · Sat 09:00–17:00 |
| Commission | none — the margin lives in the posted rate |
Before you go.
How many soles per day?
PEN 90–170 per person excluding hotel covers museums, two good meals and transport — Machu Picchu (ticket + train) alone runs PEN 600–900.
What about altitude sickness?
Real in Cusco and Puno: two gentle days, hydration, coca tea — and keep Machu Picchu (2'430 m, lower!) for later. Pharmacies sell soroche pills everywhere.
Indicative amounts — rate reservable for 3 hours · Rue Pierre-Fatio 19, Geneva · Guide complet en français