Arequipa to Cusco: everything you need to know for your trip

If you are planning your next great adventure in Peru and have several days to travel, an itinerary that you cannot miss is the trip from Arequipa to Cusco.

Cusco is known worldwide for Machu Picchu, but in its surroundings, you will find impressive Andean landscapes and a great variety of tourist destinations that are worth visiting. For its part, Arequipa, considered the second most important destination in the country, combines the elegance of its colonial city with the majesty of its volcanoes and canyons.

In this guide, you will find the essentials to discover the best of both destinations in a single unforgettable trip.

Basic facts about Arequipa and Cusco

Cusco and Arequipa are part of the Peruvian highlands and offer impressive natural landscapes, although their histories and cultures clearly distinguish them.

Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire and preserves a unique archaeological legacy, while Arequipa developed especially during the colonial and viceregal era, which allowed it to become a prosperous city with a notable architectural heritage, such as its mansions and sillar temples.

To enjoy the best of both destinations, a trip of at least seven days is recommended. The most common route is to arrive in Lima and from there fly to Arequipa or Cusco, depending on the point where you prefer to start the experience.

Regarding budget, both cities are accessible for the average traveler, although they also have exclusive luxury options. Getting to know them is an excellent way to get into the cultural and natural richness of deep Peru.

Cusco and Arequipa for tourism in Peru

If you are planning a week-long trip, the perfect combination in the highlands of Peru is in Arequipa and Cusco, two destinations that bring together history, culture, nature and adventure.

Arequipa

The ideal thing is to start the route in Arequipa, as it is closer to Lima and its altitude is lower compared to Cusco, which allows for better acclimatization. The visit begins by touring its historic center, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, where there are plenty of churches, convents, plazas, and colonial mansions that turn every corner into an unforgettable postcard.

Arequipa is known as the "White City" due to the use of sillar, a volcanic stone with which a large part of its buildings were constructed. Its colonial architecture is one of the most recognized in the world, and touring it is to discover the fusion between Andean tradition and Spanish heritage. Get to know its 2 outstanding attractions:

The Sillar
The magic of Arequipa is in its volcanic origin. The sillar comes from the solidification of volcanic rocks, and its quarries offer a unique experience. The sillar tour is half a day and usually includes a stop in a small typical town in the Peruvian highlands before arriving at the Añashuayco quarry, where huge cliffs show the extraction process.
The Culebrilla ravine is also visited, a natural passage of great beauty, and stone carvings such as those of the Church of the Company of Jesus are appreciated. In addition, the landscape is framed by snowy mountains and apachetas (Andean stone mounds), which makes this tour an ideal setting for photography.
The Colca Canyon
Another of the unmissable attractions is the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world and the most famous adventure destination in Arequipa. There you can live the experience of seeing the majestic Andean condor fly, a symbol of the Andes and guardian of the sky.
The most recommended tour is two days and one night, enough to enjoy the canyon, go trekking, relax in the hot springs of Chivay and spend a night in a traditional town, which allows you to get to know the Andean worldview up close.

Cusco

Cusco continues to be a unique experience, not only because of its cultural heritage, but also because of the natural and architectural richness it offers in every corner. So, if you have already explored Arequipa and are looking for a different tour, this list will be your best guide. Cusco perfectly combines the two most important stages in the history of Peru: the Inca era and the Spanish influence.

In its streets, temples, convents, colonial churches, and archaeological remains that narrate centuries of history coexist. On one hand, you will find vestiges of the great Andean empire; on the other, colonial constructions that reflect the impact of the conquest. Learn more about this region and its most outstanding attractions:

The City of Cusco and its Archaeological Complexes
A good starting point is to tour the city and then venture into its surroundings. A few minutes from the center is the Archaeological Complex of Saqsaywaman, a monumental citadel where sacred temples and a huge esplanade stand out, which every June hosts the Inti Raymi ceremony, the most important festival on the Cusco calendar.
Less than half an hour away by car is Pukapukara, an Inca fortress with a reddish tone that surprises with its interior plazas, stairs, and passages. Very close by are the Baths of Tambomachay, a ceremonial space linked to water, where the Incas built channels and fountains that are still preserved in perfect condition.
To complete the tour is Qenqo, whose name in Quechua means “labyrinth”. Its zigzag passages lead to underground galleries, creating a scene full of mystery that is also ideal for photography.
Chinchero
Another essential stop is Chinchero, known as the “rainbow town.” Located in the Sacred Valley, it preserves stone constructions dating back to 1480, attributed to the Inca Túpac Yupanqui. Its stairs, walls, and channels reflect the precision of Inca work in architecture.
Besides touring its streets and visiting its colonial church, it is worth walking to the Poc Poc waterfall, a waterfall of more than 20 meters surrounded by a natural environment full of flora and fauna. It is a destination that perfectly combines history, culture, and nature in one place.
Machu Picchu
No trip to Cusco would be complete without visiting Machu Picchu, one of the wonders of the world. The experience will depend on how you decide to get there. For those who prefer a comfortable trip, the most practical option is to take the train to Aguas Calientes.
On the other hand, if adventure is your thing, the Inca Trail is the classic route. For four days and three nights, you will travel ancient paths, crossing mountains, cloud forests, and Inca ruins until you reach the Sun Gate (Intipunku), the most impressive entrance to Machu Picchu. No matter how you get there: being in front of this citadel is one of those moments that mark a before and after in the life of any traveler.
Choquequirao
If you already know Machu Picchu or are looking for a less crowded experience, Choquequirao is the best option. This archaeological complex, considered the last great work of the Incas, is even more extensive than Machu Picchu. However, it can only be accessed through a demanding four-day, three-night trek, which makes it a destination reserved for the most adventurous.
Those who dare to travel it agree that the effort is worth it: spectacular landscapes, camps under starry skies, and the possibility of exploring an archaeological site without crowds. Choquequirao offers history, nature, and adventure in the same place, being ideal for those looking for an authentic and out-of-the-ordinary trip.

How to get from Arequipa to Cusco?

Traveling between Arequipa and Cusco is one of the most notable routes in Peru, as it connects two of the most important destinations in the southern highlands: the White City and the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Both cities offer unique landscapes, history, and culture, so deciding how to travel between them is key to making the most of your time and enjoying the experience to the fullest.

There are several transport options that suit every traveler's style: fast and comfortable flights, a luxurious train trip that combines Andean landscapes with exclusive experiences, or the most affordable and popular option among backpackers, which is traveling by bus. Below, we tell you about the main options for getting from Arequipa to Cusco:

By plane
The fastest and most practical way to travel between Arequipa and Cusco is by plane. The flight takes about 1 hour from the Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport (Arequipa) to the Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (Cusco). Airlines like LATAM and Sky Airline usually offer daily flights, with morning and afternoon schedules. It is the best option if you have few days for your trip or if you want to avoid long hours on the road.
By train
A unique and exclusive option is to travel on the Belmond Andean Explorer, considered one of the most luxurious trains in the world. The route departs from Arequipa towards Puno, where you can enjoy spectacular views of Lake Titicaca, and from there it continues to Cusco. The journey lasts 2 days and 2 nights, with luxury cabins, gourmet cuisine, and onboard experiences. It is the most expensive alternative, but also the most memorable if you are looking for a different trip.
By bus
The most common and affordable way to travel between Arequipa and Cusco is by tourist or regular bus. The direct journey takes about 10 to 11 hours, depending on the company and the intermediate stops. There are companies like Cruz del Sur, Tepsa, and Civa that offer comfortable services, with reclining seats and night buses to make the most of the travel time.

Arequipa to Cusco by Bus

The two cities that represent the greatest tourist attraction in Peru, Arequipa, known as "the white city" and Cusco, called "navel of the world", are separated by a distance of 482 kilometers (approx.) by road. If you want to take the trip along the Arequipa - Cusco route, from the city of Arequipa, you will find a varied offer in the land transportation service offered by the companies Oltursa, Tepsa, Movil Tours and Civa. The cost of the tickets ranges from 40 soles to 110. The average duration of the trip, in any of the companies mentioned, can reach 11 hours. In that time you will be able to see, from the comfort of your seat, the diversity of the geography offered by the dry and sunny climate of the white city. If you are a traveler who prefers daytime tours, you have the option of taking the buses that leave at 9:30 a.m. Departure times are also offered from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Terminals in the city of Arequipa can be found in the vicinity of the international bus terminal. In Cusco, the bus terminals are located near the Via Evitamiento.

Best Tours in Peru

Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.

Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and more

If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu Ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your Vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.