From Santiago Chile to Cusco by bus

[laluna]

Hey there....just found this forum and have a lot of questions but will start with this one and post more later.

I am planning a trip to Argentina - Chile- Peru this March. I am wondering about taking the bus from Santiago Chile up the coast and into Peru to make my way to Cusco where I'll spend some days getting aclimatized before doing the Inca Trail to MP. Has anyone done this trip by bus at this time of year? I am wondering about the road conditions once into Peru as I read that it can be wet and the roads a problem. Any info and advice would be great to receive!

I've got more questions but will post them separately.

Thanks!!!

[bmd]

Risk is always a factor for travelers; however, calculated risks are generally the best bet when deciding how to get from Santiago to Cusco. Knowing the road conditions are a good idea before making your decisions, but mostly, the roads used by any bus from Santiago Chile to Cusco are the best options available. One of the most recommendable bus operators for this trip is Cruz del Sur. Travelers can book travel on their website (www.cruzdelsur.com) or at the station itself, upon arrival.

The trip from Santiago to Cusco is quite a long distance, so breaking up the stretch with stopovers and and sightseeing breaks is an excellent way to really get the best out of it. Cusco to Arequipa is about 12 hours. From there, a bus change will generally take place, and from Arequipa to Tacna is 10 hours. In Tacna, travelers alight from the bus and cross the border into Arica, Peru, where there can be found another bus that will complete the stretch to Santiago, at 30 hours, which is most definitely a trip that would be wisely distributed at shorter intervals.

[sergy8]

Hi Laluna, the best way to get from Santiago de Chile to Cusco is by taking a bus or flying to Arica. the bus takes about a day to get there while a flight to Arica just a few hours. Once you are there you would cross the borderline and get to Peru, in Tacna, there you can take another bus to go to Cusco...it's aprox. 15-hour...Another way is to take an international fly from Santiago to Lima, and then another fly from Lima to Cusco.

Originally Posted by laluna

Hey there....just found this forum and have a lot of questions but will start with this one and post more later.

I am planning a trip to Argentina - Chile- Peru this March. I am wondering about taking the bus from Santiago Chile up the coast and into Peru to make my way to Cusco where I'll spend some days getting aclimatized before doing the Inca Trail to MP. Has anyone done this trip by bus at this time of year? I am wondering about the road conditions once into Peru as I read that it can be wet and the roads a problem. Any info and advice would be great to receive!

I've got more questions but will post them separately.

Thanks!!!