Quick Facts
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Duration
08 hours 20 minutes
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Rating
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Experience
Hiking, mountaineering, hot springs, Peruvian Andes
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Best Price
USD $10
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Maximum comfort or class
Good
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Departures
25 Departures Daily
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Recommended by
1829 travelers
Price may fluctuate due to seasonal demand and other market-driven and regulatory events.
All about the bus from Lima to Huaraz
Taking a bus from Lima to Huaraz is a trip that will show you different facets of Peru. The experienced travelers at AndesTransit know that to be true!
We believe that traveling by bus is the BEST way to see Peru as you can absorb the changing landscape more leisurely. The routes between Lima and Huaraz will take you from Peru’s largest city to a small town nestled in the Andes where many indigenous traditions still reign. You will journey from the sea, through the desert and arrive in unbridled mountain landscapes inviting you to climb and hike.
Bus travel in Peru is very common, and with the help of AndesTransit, it’s extremely easy to book. Just click the Reserve Now button above to book your bus from Lima to Huaraz, or if you want to learn more about this awesome route, check out our insider ‘Lima-Huaraz Travel Guide’ below!
What are the buses in Peru like?
If you have traveled in Latin America before, you know that the quality of buses can range from basic “chicken buses” to comfortable ones with full, onboard services.
The cheapest buses (local buses) can be an “adventure” to ride and are NOT recommended if you are busing from Lima to Huaraz. These buses are going to be super basic – many won’t have comfortable, reclining seats or air conditioning (let alone heating or blankets). Most won’t even have a toilet. And remember that buses from Lima to Huaraz are mostly during the night.
On the other hand, Peru’s luxury buses are super-AMAZING – and best of all, they are also super affordable. These buses are equipped with bathrooms, fully reclining seats, climate control (something important when traveling in the mountains at night!), and full-time staff.
Please check out our tips for safe bus travel, click here to read Tips for Safe and Comfortable Bus Journeys.
How long is the bus ride from Lima to Huaraz?
It is about 400 kilometers (240 miles) from Lima to Huaraz, taking 8-9 hours by bus. Of course, traffic conditions in the capital, weather, and road incidents can affect how long the trip lasts.
The bus heads out on Pan American Highway, cutting across the coastal desert north of Lima. Your journey, then, takes you into the Andes mountain chain. That is why, when traveling at night, heating is a luxury not to dismiss!
If you take the bus during the day (when the buses are more basic), you can watch the landscape change from barren desert to snowy mountains. Along the way are many small settlements where people go about their daily tasks, like spinning wool on handheld spindles, farmers plowing fields, and women herding llamas.
But this trip from Lima to Huaraz is just long enough for sleeping on a comfy luxury bus, and waking up the next morning rested for hiking adventures! Or, if you’re traveling from Huaraz to Lima, resting up to begin exploring Peru’s capital!
What is the cost of traveling by bus from Lima to Huaraz?
Usually bus tickets from Lima to Huaraz range $10-14 USD (regularly). The price of the actual ticket will depend on a few important factors.
When you go
Savvy travelers know that weekends, holidays, and vacation times will always be more expensive. If you are on a super-tight budget, look for a bus that travels on a weekday.
When you book
Sooner is always better than later! Booking in advance is always the smart move, no matter where or when you are traveling. This is especially true when traveling during holidays when ticket prices rise from one day to the next.
Which Bus Carrier you Choose
The biggest factor in the price is the bus company you choose. Simply put, you get what you pay for! If you want a nice seat, air conditioning, blankets, meals, and toilets, you’ll have to pay a bit more. And for a bus trip that goes from one climatic extreme to the other, it’s best to have the comforts.
What are the bus schedules from Lima to Huaraz?
Although bus travel in Latina America has improved a lot over the past decade or so, it’s important to remember that you have to go with the flow.
Often bus schedules are subject to change, and many online sources are not up-to-date, not even on the bus companies’ own websites. After all, their time and resources are focused on keeping buses rolling down the highway, not on the computer screen.
But here at AndesTransit, we strive to give you the most current schedules of all sorts of transportation, not just buses. We work directly with the country’s best bus companies to ensure you get the information you can rely on. If you wish to see the most up-to-date Lima-Huaraz bus schedules, click the Reserve Now button above!
Where can I book bus tickets from Lima to Huaraz?
You have two ways of getting tickets between Lima and Huaraz:
In-person
This is the time-honored way of getting a ticket from Point A to Point B (in this case, from Lima to Huaraz), but entails all sorts of adventures: Hauling your baggage from the bus office to bus office, comparing prices, keeping your eye on your belongings while negotiating a ticket, perhaps only to find out the bus doesn’t leave until hours in the future or perhaps that you’re shy on the asking price, then finding an ATM that actually works. Ugh!
Online
Traveling is adventurous enough as it is without having to deal with the entire scenario above. Buying a ticket online eliminates all of that, making your journey much more trouble-free. At AndesTransit, you’ll be able to find out the most current schedules and fares, pay for it online through a secure system and get English-speaking and Spanish-speaking support staff to have your back all the way through your trip.
What is the best bus from Lima to Huaraz?
CDS is definitely one of the best bus lines in Peru, and for good reason. Its Cruzero Suite and Cruzero Evolution services offer high-quality amenities to guarantee you a comfortable ride: reclining seats, WiFi, personal entertainment screens, tasty meals (including vegetarian), AC and heating, pillows and blankets, and on-board service to attend to your needs. What more could a traveler need for that long journey from Lima to Huaraz?
Another good choice is Movil Tours, which offers a variety of services between Lima and Huaraz, the most luxurious being the Premier with snacks and drinks, cama (160º) and full cama (180º) seats, AC and heating, personalized service by the onboard wait staff, and a USB portal for your devices.
You can book either of these buses, plus several other options, on the AndesTransit ticket platform by just clicking the Reserve Now button above.
What to see in Huaraz
The main reason travelers head to Huaraz is for some premier hiking and mountain climbing. After all, this is Peru’s hiking capital! The attractions here are the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Negra, and Huascarán National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
When arriving from Lima to Huaraz’ be careful with the altitude (3,028 meters / 9,934 feet above sea level). It is a good idea to take it easy for a few days to acclimatize yourself before your treks. The views are breathtaking and reach 4,000-5,000 meters / 13,123-16,404 feet! Be aware that during the dry season (May-September), nights will be super-cold. The wet season (January-April) is known for its heavy afternoon rains. In October, Huaraz also receives much precipitation. Consider that while choosing when you want to go.
#1 - Central Market
Like in any town, the Mercado Central (Jirón Juan de la Cruz Romero) is the place to have an authentic introduction to local foods and life. And Peru has a lot of good food. You’ll see women in their traditional clothing hawking everything from live chickens to more varieties of potatoes than you ever thought could exist. This is also a place to pick up anything you need for hostel cooking, picnics or preparing for your treks.
#2 - Archeological Museum of Áncash
Museo Arqueológico de Ancash (Avenida Luzuriaga N° 762, Plaza de Armas) is rated as one of the best archeological museums on the continent. It has a large collection of prehistoric artifacts from the Áncash region, including of the Chavín culture, displays on the Inca and other pre-Hispanic civilizations, and information technology of these nations. On the grounds is the Parque de Piedra with over 140 ancient stone sculptures and a botanical garden of native flora.
#3 - Day Hikes
In the Huaraz region, it isn’t all just long treks and mountain climbing. You can also pack up for the day and get out into nature, but be sure to stop by the Mercado Central for some snacks for the road. One of the most popular day hikes is to Laguna 69 (4,600 meters / 15,092 feet). Even though it is only a six-kilometer (3.6 miles) long hike, it is quite taxing due to the steep ascent and lack of oxygen in the air. Other excursions you can make in one day are to the celeste-blue Laguna Parón, Pastoruri Glacier, and Laguna Churup – all located in the Cordillera Blanca. In the Cordillera Negra, you can head to Laguna Wilcacocha. You can do any of these on your own or on a tour.
#4 - Chavín de Huántar
Another day trip you can make is to Chavín de Huántar (98 kilometers / 61 miles from Huaraz), another World Heritage Site in the region. These ruins date from 1200 BC. and feature stunning stone heads inset in the walls. Archaeologists theorize that this was a temple complex, and it is said to be the “Birthplace of South American culture.” If you like, spend the night in quaint Chavín village and take a dip in the local hot springs.
#5 - Monterrey Hot Springs
After a day of tripping out of the city or a week of trekking and mountain climbing, a soak in some delicious hot springs is just what you’ve earned! Seven kilometers (4.5 miles) outside Huaraz are the Baños Termales de Monterrey with three pools and private tubs (36º-49ºC / 97º-120ºF). The grounds also have a restaurant, campsites, and bungalows.
If hot springs are your thing in general, we have a great list of them across Latin America. Read Hot Springs by Bus.