Machu Picchu, Nazca lines and its relations with aliens , Inca civilization, the local Peruvian people with their colorful outfits, their dark skins and smiling faces are the main things you will probably remember about Peru. Beside these, foods like chifa and ceviche, pisco sour drink and more Inca ruins will welcome you in Peru. We only had to chance to stay for one week in Peru but I highly recommend staying for two weeks at least for anyone who is planning to visit this beautiful country. To read my other routes, please visit my Travel Route Series.
Airport- Lima (Miraflores)
There is an official taxi company at airport, Green Taxi. The prices are fixed. From airport to Miraflores we paid 50 sol. The price of city center is more or less the same. Right after exiting the airport on the right you will see a bus with blue stripes that goes to Miraflores. It costs 1 Sol and lasts 1.5 hours.
| Route | Distance (Km) | Duration (Taxi) | Price (Taxi) | Duration (Bus) | Price (Bus) | Places to See |
| Airport – Lima (Miraflores) | 12 | 30 Min. | 50 Sol / 15 USD | 1 Hour 30 Min. | 1 Sol | Old Town-San Francisco Cathedral – Miraflores Park and beach, Paragliding |
Lima- Ica (Huacachina )
You can easily find many bus companies which have busses that go to Ica. At Ica you can visit the archeology museum where you can see some historical findings. I suggest you to visit Huacachina village and try the sandboarding tour, especially the latter because you get the chance to see the amazing sunset of Huacachina.
| Route | Distance (Km) | Duration (Bus) | Price | Places to See |
| Lima – Ica (Huacachina) | 305 | 3 Hour 30 Min. | 60 Sol / 20 USD | Ica Archeology Museum, Huacachina sandboarding tour |
Ica – Cusco
Some tourists prefer to fly to Cusco from Lima. But I strongly recommend you to take a bus to avoid the altitude sickness and spend some time at Ica and Huacachina. The altitude of Cusco is 4400 metres. The slower you ascend to Cusco, the less you feel the effect of high altitude.
Cusco was the one of the most important cities during the Inca civilization. While strolling through the streets of Cusco, you will see the traces of colonial and Inca lifestyle. You need at least 2 days to see all the important places around.
| Route | Distance (Km) | Duration (Bus) | Price | Places to See |
| Ica – Cusco | 795 | About 17 to 18 Hours | 195 Sol / 60 USD | Old Town- Plaza Armas – Sacsayhuaman – Salkantay – San Blas – La Catedral |
Cusco- Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu
There are many alternatives to reach Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes) and the Sacred Valley. You can choose public buses, tour operators’ buses and trains. There are also some other alternative to go there such as trekking and cycling. We took a tour for Sacred Valley and then we reached Aguas Calientes by Incarail train from Ollantaytambo.
| Route | Distance (Km) | Duration (Train) | Price | Places to See |
| Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes(Machu Picchu) | 155 | 2 Hours | 168-270 Sol / 50 – 85 USD | Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, Pisac, Ollantaytambo |
| Route | Distance (Km) | Duration (Train) | Price |
| Cusco – Ollantaytambo | 70 | 3 Hours and 45 Minutes | 75 USD |
Cusco – Puno
The lake of Titicaca is between Bolivia and Peru. The small town called Puno where the shores of Titicaca are located is about six and a half hours by bus from Cusco. You can join the half or full day Lake Titicaca – Floating Islands Boat tours. We joined the half day tour. Then we took a bus to Copacabana which is in Bolivia. The border town is Kasani.
| Route | Distance (Km) | Duration (Bus) | Price | Places to See |
| Cusco – Puno | 386 | 6 Hours 30 Min | 110 Sol / 32 USD | Lake Titicaca- Floating Islands |