Bus
The reliability of bus travel in the Peruvian Andes has improved greatly over the years. But there is no place you are more likely to be robbed than at a bus depot, so be careful.
Secure your personal items on the bus, especially if you plan to sleep.
You may be videotaped after boarding as an extra security measure. (In the past, thieves boarded as passengers. No more, now that they are on camera.)
Still, most long-term travellers in Peru get around by bus.
This is a popular, easy route in Peru but one which takes about 16 hours, normally overnight. Fares in 2005 ranged from US$12-$35 depending on class.
It is probably worth getting a good bus for this route, so you can get some sleep.
The most popular companies include Ormeno, Cruz del Sur, Flores & Civa.
Buying your ticket & finding the right bus station in Lima can be a hassle as there is no central terminal.
Another time we phoned a bus company to book seats for a 7:30 PM departure. The computer held those seats for us until 3:00 PM, then deleted our reservation (since we did not get there until 5:00 PM). Buy tickets a day in advance was our lesson learned.
South American Explorers in Lima now books bus tickets for members with Cruz Del Sur, one of the best bus lines. Tickets are delivered to the SAE office in Miraflores, Lima. SAE will also inform you of the best way to get to the correct bus station, usually by legal cab.
Departing Arequipa to Lima, logistics are much easier though you still should take a cab to the efficient Terminal Terrestre (main bus station) the day before departure to pay for advanced, reserve tickets.
Tips on taking the bus to Cuzco are the same as to Arequipa (see above).
The main difference is that the trip is longer, 22-26 hours! (The flight is one hour & may only cost about double the luxury Cruz del Sur bus fare.)
The road to Cuzco is rougher than to Arequipa.
Bus discounts may be available if you have a student card. Low season fares can be very low.
The distance as the condor flies is not far, but this is still a 12-16 hour journey. Fares in 2005 ran US$15-20 depending on bus & exact route.
Other easily arranged bus journeys for hikers include:
