In the Arequipa and Lake Titicaca region, internal travel is organised in several modes. At Arequipa intra-muros, everything is done on foot (compact historic centre, 1 km²). Uber, Cabify, InDriver are reliable and affordable (PEN 5-15 per in-town ride, PEN 20-30 to suburbs or airport). Avoid unofficial taxis.
Arequipa → Colca: main option organised 2-day/1-night excursion from Arequipa (€80-150/person all-inclusive transport + guide + night + entries) — recommended for 90% of travellers. Alternative option Arequipa → Chivay public bus (3h, PEN 30-50, Reyna or 4M Express) then taxi/colectivo to Cabanaconde and Cruz del Condor — for autonomous travellers with time. Car hire possible (€50-70/day, Arequipa-Chivay highway in good condition, Chivay-Cruz del Condor road of medium quality, 4x4 useful but not mandatory).
Arequipa → Puno (Titicaca): Cruz del Sur or Oltursa long-distance bus (6h, €30-50 depending on class, altiplano and desert crossing, comfortable 160° reclining seats, included VIP meals). Prefer daytime departures for spectacular landscapes (Andean lagoons, vicuñas, volcanoes). Alternative: Arequipa-Juliaca flight (60 km from Puno, 30-40 min taxi/colectivo, LATAM €80-150 depending on anticipation) — saves 4h but brutal arrival at 3,825 m.
Puno → Cusco: Cruz del Sur long-distance bus 6-8h (€40-60), spectacular Andean road via La Raya 4,313 m (pass, photo stop, marked by Inca stelae), Sicuani, Urcos. Belmond Andean Explorer train: luxury rail cruise with sleeper cabins, gastronomy, €600-1,000/person for daytime Puno-Cusco trip. Iconic but expensive experience, 2x/week departures (Wednesday and Saturday). PeruRail Titicaca train: more affordable option, Pullman seats €250-350 for Puno-Cusco trip — remarkable Andean landscapes, gastronomic lunch included. Our recommendation: Cruz del Sur bus for value, or Titicaca train for the experience.
Access from Lima is mostly by Lima-Arequipa domestic flight (1h30, LATAM, Sky, JetSmart, €70-180 return depending on anticipation) — the only practical option to open the trip from the south. Long-distance Lima-Arequipa buses (14-16h, Cruz del Sur €50-80) are an alternative for travellers with time. International direct flights from Arequipa: very limited, mainly to Santiago de Chile and La Paz.
At Puno, the city centre is done on foot (compact). Taxi PEN 3/ride for trips to the port (5 min, Titicaca excursion departure). No reliable urban tourist public transport. At Chivay and Colca villages, everything is done on foot or via colectivos (PEN 2-5 local minibuses per trip, slow but authentic).
Read also
- Arequipa — The White City at the foot of Misti, UNESCO 2000, Santa Catalina monastery.
- Lake Titicaca — The world's highest navigable lake at 3,812 m, floating Uros Islands and Taquile.
- Peru — Complete country guide: visa, currency, regions, best time to visit.
- Cusco and Machu Picchu — The absolute must-see — to combine with Arequipa-Colca-Titicaca for 14-18 days.