Arequipa, the «White City», and the Colca Canyon are must-stops on many Peru itineraries. But the trip from Cusco to Arequipa, and then from Arequipa to Colca, often raises questions about safety and the best time to travel.
Here we explain the safest and most practical ways to get there, so you can enjoy the trip without worrying.
Cusco to Arequipa: the overnight bus option
The most popular way to travel between Cusco and Arequipa is the overnight bus. It’s worth it because you save a night of hotel and gain a full day of sightseeing.
- Schedules. Buses usually leave Cusco between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. and reach Arequipa the next morning, after about 10 to 12 hours on the road.
- Safety. The trip is generally safe if you choose formal, well-known bus companies such as Cruz del Sur, Oltursa or Civa. They offer «cama» or «semi-cama» service, with comfortable reclining seats, which you need to rest and arrive in good shape.
Key tip: never travel with very cheap or unknown bus companies. On Andean roads, safety, vehicle maintenance and driver experience are not optional.
Arequipa to the Colca Canyon
Once you’re in Arequipa, a visit to the Colca Canyon, where you can see the condor, takes some planning. It’s a high mountain road, and the drive is often done in low visibility, because of fog or because it’s before dawn.
- The safest route. The drive takes 3 to 4 hours. Always do it with licensed tourist transport and with guides who know the area.
2-day/1-night tour: the best value
This is the most comfortable and safest option. On day 1 you reach the town of Chivay (or the valley) and spend the night there. On day 2 you get up early to go to the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint.
- Safer. You avoid the exhausting 14-hour trip of the one-day tour (Full Day), which means leaving Arequipa before dawn, with the risk of driver fatigue.
- Easier on you. You have more time to adjust to the altitude and relax in the La Calera hot springs, a great way to end the day.
By plane: Cusco to Arequipa
If your time and budget allow, flying is the fastest option.
- Duration. Flights take about 1 hour and operate during the day.
- Pros. Maximum comfort and time saved: you skip the 10 to 12 hours on a bus.
- Cons. It costs more than the bus and requires extra transfers to the airport.
Comparing the options
| Option | Duration | Comfort/safety | Best for… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight bus (formal company) | 10 to 12 hours | High (with cama or semi-cama seats) | Saving time and money. |
| Flight (daytime) | 1 hour | Maximum (fast and comfortable) | Travelers short on time with a flexible budget. |
| Colca tour (2 days/1 night) | 2 days | Maximum (relaxed trip) | Seeing the condor without rushing and getting some rest. |
Heading from Cusco to Arequipa?
We’re a local agency in Cusco, registered with MINCETUR since 2003, with English-speaking guides. We plan your whole route using only formal companies, and we organize your Colca tour so it’s comfortable and safe.