In search of Aventura 757 km - Driving from Lima to Cuzco

I arrived in Lima on Tuesday, July 3 with my Peruvian husband, Nando, and our three kids - aged 11, 11, and 8. We have been staying at my sister-in-law's house in Comas, where I have been working to finalize my research plans here in Peru. (I will be conducting a study on humor and racial ideologies in Peru.)

After being in Lima for five days, we are anxious to get on the road and go to Cuzco. After researching a few options, we have decided that the best way to get to Cuzco is to rent a car. It is cheaper than flying, and should be more enjoyable than going by bus.

We have traveled by bus from Lima to Cuzco several times, and thus are fine with not having that experience again. Last year, we rented a car in Guatemala, and had an amazing time. Hopefully the experience will be as good or better here in Peru.


We are set to leave Lima today at noon and hope to make it to Nazca tonight. If not, we at least will get as far as Ica. Before we leave, I really want to get a copy of this book: Aventura 757 km. Guía de ruta Survial by Rafo León Rodríguez. I heard about the book on the Lonely Planet forums and on the blog Living in Peru, where Carsten Korch also details his family's trip from Lima to Cuzco by car.

I asked for the book in several bookstores here in the Cono Norte where we are staying, but had no luck. It seems I will have to go to the center of Lima to get it. We will make a stop there on the way out of Lima, as we have to go in that general direction. I really hope I can find the book, as I have read great reviews of it.

Soraya - happy to be in Lima

Tatiana - happy to be on the couch in front of the TV

The kids love being here in Lima at my sister-in-law's house, mostly because she has six dogs, several cats, cable television, and Internet. It has been great for me to be connected, and to eat the amazing food here in Lima. But, it will be good for us to get on the road and have our own adventure.

As I am writing this, the kids are downstairs arguing about which television station to watch. We've let them go a bit overboard with the television these past few days, but I am looking forward to turning it off soon!

Raymi - in the Yaris ready to go.

The car we got is a Toyota Yaris. I wasn't sure if all of our bags would fit, but they did. We packed as lightly as we could. We each have one carryon suitcase and one backpack. In addition, we have another backpack that has a few extra items - towels, toiletries, books, and toys. All of the suitcases plus my husband's big tambour drum fit into the trunk of the Yaris, and we will carry the backpacks and a couple of blankets in the car with us.

We are waiting for our clothes to finish drying at the laundromat and then will hit the road! I am excited!