From LIMA to CUSCO

The high mountainous Andes lies between Lima and Cusco, so you can either fly over the Andes or take a long winding road through it. The flight between Lima and Cusco takes about one hour and is by far the easiest way to travel. If you do not have time or do not want to spend a day and two nights in a bus, then we recommend that you travel by plane.

The usual bus route is southwards from Lima along the Pan-American highway via Nasca and Pisco to Arequipa, and then eastwards to Lake Titicaca and finally northwards towards Cusco. It is a good option if you have enough time. You could then also visit the Ballestas Islands, Nasca, Arequipa, and Lake Titicaca on your way to Cusco. There is a recent road connecting the two cities that goes south from Lima to Nasca, and then eastwards to Cusco via Abancay. This route is particularly scenic and mountainous and remains in the "adventure travel" category.


By PLANE

There are many daily flights between the Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima and the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco. The latter is just 10 minutes by taxi from the main square in the center of Cusco. The airport-taxi fare to your hotel, in the center of Cusco, is around US$10. Flights from Lima to Cusco depart in the morning because the weather is usually better, and because pilots must be able to see the mountains just before landing in Cusco. The view of snow-capped Salkantay is particularly good from the left side windows of the plane, about 10 minutes before landing in Cusco. The flight time is about 50 minutes. In order not to miss your return flight it is best to book an early flight (before 9:30am), since later flights are often delayed or even cancelled, particularly during the wet season (January-March) in the highlands. Airline companies operating this route include LAN (www.lan.com), Peruvian Airlines (www.peruvianairlines.pe), Star Peru (www.starperu.com/), TACA (www.taca.com).


By BUS

Several bus companies in Lima offer service from Lima to Cusco. Most buses first go to Arequipa, from where you have to take a connecting bus to Cusco. There can be a very long waiting period in Arequipa, and you will probably have to transfer to another bus. Quite often the bus from Lima to Arequipa travels overnight to avoid the high daytime temperatures, arriving early in the morning in Arequipa. The onward bus from Arequipa to Cusco may also depart in the evening and arrive early in the morning in Cusco, allowing you to spend a day visiting Arequipa. You can store your bags in the bus station, but it is best to take your valuables with you. Cruz del Sur operates on this route, but they are not the only company, nor necessarily the best.

The more direct route from Lima to Cusco via Nasca and Abancay takes about 24 hours. It is a stunning ride with magnificent scenery, but the road has many sharp and dangerous curves making it more suitable for the adventurous traveller. Ten years ago this route used to be the territory of bandits and terrorists. Tourists completing the trip often wrote books about it. Apart from the dangerous turns this route is considered safe now.


LIMA AIRPORT

Lima's Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chavez is located about 30 minutes by taxi from the city center or from Miraflores. Allow one hour for this taxi trip, as heavy traffic can at times be a problem.
If departing internationally, check in 3 hours before departure. For domestic flights check in 2 hours before departure. This may seem excessively early, but some airlines have the habit of overbooking their flights, so if you really must be on the flight then it is advisable to arrive early.
After checking in you need to pay a departure tax. For international flights this is around US$30. The domestic departure tax is around US$5. The main domestic airline is Lan (www.lan.com), previously known as Lan Peru. This is by far the safest and most professional airline with international destinations from Lima.


LIMA BUS STATION

There is no central bus station in Lima; each company has its own arrival and departure depot. Be particularly careful with your valuables at any of the bus stations! The biggest and best companies with country wide destinations are

• Ormeño (www.grupo-ormeno.com),

Av Calle Carlos Zavala 177, Lima centre Tel 427 5679
They also have an office at Avenida Javier Prado Este 1059, Tel 472 1710


• Cruz del Sur (www.cruzdelsur.com.pe),
has buses to Arequipa, Ica, Cusco, Puno, Chiclayo, Trujillo and Pisco, which depart from their bus station located at Jr. Quilca 531, Lima center, Tel. 424 6158.
Buses to Tumbes, Piura, Chiclayo, Tujillo, Huaraz, Arequipa, Tacna, Cusco and La Paz depart from their bus station located at Av. Javier Prado Este 1109, San Isidro, Tel. 225 6163.