Practical information
Location
The school will be held in the Paraninfo Universitario, the main historical building (right off the main square) of the state university of Cusco. As you know, Cusco was the ancient Inca capital, and is now a medium-large city. The city center largely dates to the Inca and colonial periods.
Cusco is in a highland valley, at about 3400 meters above sea level. You are advised to arrive on Saturday, August 8, and refrain from intense physical activity and heavy meals the first day. Classes will start on Monday, August 10.
Getting there
Travellers from overseas (except Bolivia) should first fly to Lima, and then fly from there to Cusco. When scheduling your trip -- that is, if we do not do it for you -- keep in mind that there are several flights per h our leaving Lima for Cusco from 5am to roughly 6pm, and none whatsoever thereafter.
Climate
While the Cusco area does have clearly defined seasons, they do not correspond neatly to "summer" and "winter", due to altitude and closeness to the equator. This explains our initial reluctance to call this a "winter school".
The weather should be sunny during the day (to the point of actually feeling hot under direct sunlight), and cool and crisp (or even downright chilly) at dawn and in the evening. This is called the "dry season". Bring a light jacket, warm pyjamas and sunscreen.
Note as well that the climate in Machu Picchu is less dry than that of Cusco.
Accomodation
All participants (speakers and students) will be housed together in the historical part of town or its immediate vicinity. Rooms will have at most double occupancy.
Please make sure you check out early on the last day (Saturday 22nd). Local check-out times are early (often 9am) and strict; not respecting them may entail payment of an additional day.
Sightseeing
Cusco is more or less self-explanatory, and rewards random walks. We will attempt to make a nocturne possible (i.e., evening entry to some museums).
We have organized a bus trip to the Valle Sagrado on the Saturday in the middle of the conference.
Yes, it is possible to go to Machu Picchu (by train) from Cusco. Sunday 16th is left free for this purpose. That would have to be self-funded and self-organized, though, and is obviously optional.
There will be a folklore evening on the first Wednesday of the conference, at the maths department in the university's main campus. Wednesday afternoon on the second week of the conference will also be free from academic activities. There will be a public talk on the last Friday afternoon.