Has anyone taken the bus from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado?
 

I already have a plane ticket. However, my nephew, who is backpacking thru 3 continents, plans to meet me in PM. For financial reasons he is taking the bus. Is there any advice I can give him about the bus trip? What about last minute plane tix prices from Cusco to PM?

Star Peru flies that route. www.starperu.com

I've read that the road between the two is finally completed and paved, but the bus trip still takes 9-12 hours. That's during the dry season. During the rainy season, landslides are frequent, and you might measure the trip in days rather than hours.

What time of year will this be?

Have done the bus years ago it was a nightmare.

PM is dodgy not great not on the amazon

do manuadventures.com inkajungletrail.com

TONNES better wildlife no flights required

save lots of money and puke on plane/bus rides

Orotongoexpeditions.com for TRUE amazon is worth it

Starperu.com best for in Peru flights LAN usually

twice as much due to ridiculous rip off tourist surcharges.

Actually come to think of it

I did it on the back of a truck

they called "a bus" was sick the whole time

perpertual curvy potholed downhills the whole way

few stops loos.. new bus might be a bit better but

http://www.peruadventurestours.com/e...do_biking.html

gives you an idea of the route.

Buy him a ticket if you have 2 usually under $99 with

StarPeru.com

Going 9/28-10/2.

I checked the star peru site, round trip is $212. We'd help him with plane ticket, but he has at least 2 friends joining him; that starts to get pricey. He tells me they will figure things out as they go. I just want him to be informed and then will step back from planning his trip.

The peruadventure bike tour looks amazing...for an avid biker. Their site say its a 12-hour bus ride and road completion is a few years away. The one picture (if current) shows a gravel road.

I will send him this link. Thanks for your help.

The road is paved and finished and goes all the way to Brasil

Good to know TRD. Do you know if its still a 12 hour drive (in good weather)?

The bus ride is 11 hours.
By private car it should be around 6 to 7.

Hi TRD - this information is really helpful -- any info on the price / possibility of hiring a private car? Thanks!