Peru is primarily known as a trekking destination, but its roads offer equally extraordinary adventures. The Sacred Valley below Machu Picchu is stunning by car; the Colca Canyon road descends to one of the world's deepest gorges; and the Andean highway from Lima to Huaraz passes snow-capped peaks above 6,000m. A hire car in Peru is for experienced drivers — but the rewards are proportional to the challenge.
Best airports & pick-up locations
- Lima (LIM) — Jorge Chávez International. Coastal route south to Paracas and Nazca Lines, Andes road to Huaraz.
- Cusco (CUZ) — Sacred Valley, Maras salt mines, Pisac market, Ollantaytambo.
- Arequipa (AQP) — Colca Canyon, Misti volcano, altiplano roads.
Driving in Peru
- Drive on the right. Speed limits rarely enforced. Road quality varies enormously.
- Altitude sickness (soroche) affects drivers above 3,500m — acclimatise before long drives and ascend gradually.
- Mountain roads are often unpaved, narrow and without barriers on cliff edges. 4WD recommended above Cusco altitude.
- Hiring a car with a driver is strongly recommended in mountain areas — local knowledge of road conditions is invaluable.
Local tips & best routes
The Sacred Valley road from Cusco through Pisac, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo is Peru's most beautiful valley drive — stopping at Inca terraces and colonial towns along the way. The road from Arequipa down to the Colca Canyon (twice as deep as the Grand Canyon) is extraordinary — condors soar overhead at the Cruz del Condor viewpoint. The Lima to Nazca coastal highway passes the famous Lines and Paracas National Reserve.