About the ride from Lima to Huaraz
For tackling the approximately 402km (250 mile) trip from Lima to Huaraz, you have only one option - a comfortable and convenient bus journey offered by many different transport companies.
The bus journey to Huaraz from Lima offers an incredible way to get acquainted with what you can expect from Huaraz, one of Peru’s most exciting and well-established adventure capitals.
Two of Peru’s most popular destinations, Huaraz and Lima are vastly different to one another - but they both offer equally-unmissable experiences. While Lima has a clifftop location right on the edge of the sea, Huaraz is located in the lofty peaks of one of South America’s most mountainous regions.
Lima is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in South America, teeming with edgy cultural experiences, crowded nightclubs and incredible culinary heritage. An untidy but energetic sprawl of disparate neighborhoods, Lima has a real magnetism, and its charming warmth is only magnified by the city’s contrasting mix of shantytowns and towering skyscrapers.
But while only small pockets of Lima are rugged and rough around the edges, large swathes of Huaraz are exactly that. A rudimentary market town which offers vast panoramas and even vaster smiles, Huaraz is incredibly friendly.
But the main appeal in Huaraz is the huge range of outdoor attractions on offer, which make the city’s surroundings a haven for adventure backpackers. The region is home to the Cordillera Blanca, one of the world’s most majestic and enticing mountain ranges. If you want to get acquainted with the icy summits of Huascaran, Peru’s largest mountain, you’ll find them here.
Other draws in the area include lakes, ruins and thermal baths. In short, if you want to hike, climb, cycle or enjoy Peru’s outdoors in any other way, you absolutely need to visit Huaraz.
And when you’ve finished all the intense stuff, the city is packed with rugged and welcoming drinking dens and local eateries.
What to see when traveling from Lima to Huaraz
The journey to Huaraz from Lima is an incredible way to get an idea of what you can expect from your adventures in the region.
After leaving behind the labyrinth of Lima’s streets, your bus will drive through barren stretches of arid deserts. But after reaching Paramonga, your journey really begins, as you head east and begin a steep ascent as your bus climbs 3,000 meters to the lofty heights of Huaraz.
On your way to Huaraz from Lima, you’ll pass tiny villages, wooden homes, sparse forests, rocky outcrops, dusty settlements and swirling mountain passes. Your bus will negotiate the challenge of steep cliffside bends as you climb higher and higher towards your destination.
The trip from Lima to Huaraz is one of Peru’s best journeys, and it’s an excellent introduction to the lofty adventures which the city has in store.
But despite the rugged territory, most of the roads are high-quality and well-maintained, making for a surprisingly comfortable trip. The buses too are very comfortable, so you can enjoy relative luxury as you journey towards Huaraz.
The moment you arrive in Huaraz, you’ll fall in love with its charm. You’ll be greeted by smiling locals and endless opportunities for immediate adventure - along with a whole host of other backpackers all keen to tackle the peaks and passes of the city’s surroundings.
If you’re short on time and you don’t mind skipping some of the views, you can book an overnight journey from Lima to Huaraz, instead of a daytime one.
How to get from Lima to Huaraz
Taking a bus
Taking a bus is the only option for reaching Huaraz from Lima - but as it's an incredible way to get there, that’s absolutely no hardship. This also means you don’t have to spend lots of time choosing between different transport options. Instead, you simply buy your ticket and get on your way.
Your bus from Lima to Huaraz will likely be stuffed with friendly faces all making the same journey as you. You'll meet other travelers, fellow outdoor adventure enthusiasts, and lots of the famously-friendly people who live in Peru. Bus journeys throughout the nation are a fantastic way to get acquainted with the warm, welcoming nature of Peruvian people.
The buses themselves are very comfortable, with reclining seats and often excellent facilities. All buses from Lima to Huaraz have AC, TVs and reclining seats, while some have WiFi, power sockets, food, drinks, blankets and English-speaking staff.
Most buses to Huaraz from Lima will stop for small breaks along the way.
