We're deciding on whether a flight from Lima to Arequipa is worth the price tag, if only to circumvent the lengthy bus ride. Your recommendations would be most appreciated.
We're travelling in July 2009 and are planning on an itinerary that goes from Lima-Arequipa-Lake Titicaca-Ollantaytambo-Machu Picchu-Cusco-Lima. We are planning our trip on our own and would love to hear from other travellers who have gone to these places.
Thank you!
Reply to this You can take the local plane from Lima to Arequipa go to: ww.lan.com, right now the prices are around $100 for the round trip.
If you want to do it by bus is a 14h trip. The local bus companies that I would recommend and Oltursa (best), Ormeno or Cruz del Sur, for special service the tickets might cost as much as a airplane tickets, they all have websites, but you can only buy tickets once you are in Lima.
There are other cheaper companies yes, but at your own risk, you can find out once you are in Lima.
From Arequipa to Puno there are buses. Arequipa has a Central bus station where buses leave everyhour, all kinds of prices. I think there is also a train service.
Cusco to Lima definetely by plane! road trip is too long!
Arequipa, Cusco, Puno (4,000msnm!) are over the sea level so you might get altitude sickness, it's awful so be sure to get a good pill (I took Dramamine, you can buy it when you are in Lima, no need for prescription) one before you leave and one when you arrive to your destination.
Reply to this Thanks, Kass; we appreciate your advice.
Do yout hink it's better for us to book a flight online now (LAN's prices are closer to $165 / person) or should we wait until we get to Lima?
Reply to this Hi,
Well, it is high season (July/August), right now you see on the websit there are avaible seats for all days, but I do not know how long that will that last. Usually Peru is full of tourists in July but given the "crisis" this year it might be different. However, prices might come up anyway, so maybe it's better for you to book it now.
When are you coming to Peru? because the last days of July are holidays (27-29) here so there well be a lot of peruvians traveling as well.
Reply to this Thanks for such a quick response. I think we might just book it now, based on your advice. We'll be in Peru during the first 2 weeks of July, so we should miss the Peruvian holiday. If you have any other suggestions or recommendations, please let me know.
Thank you again for all of your help!
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