Pisco to Quillabamba is about 506 road miles (815 km): roughly 13 h 12 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Peru: Abancay, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Huancayo within the regions of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junín.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Peru: the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), which includes Vilcabamba.
This route passes through or near an area the State Department rates Do Not Travel. Read the full advisory before you plan this drive: Peru. Advisory issued: Peru September 04, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Peru: “Due to safety concerns, U.S. embassy personnel are prohibited from traveling on mountainous roads at night.”
| Distance | 506 mi (815 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 13 h 12 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-28A → PE-28D → PE-28E → PE-3S → PE-28B |
| Regions on the route | Ica, Huancavelica, Ayacucho, Cusco |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 20.3 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
What the drive from Pisco to Quillabamba is like
PE-28B (272 mi) and PE-28A (130 mi) carry about 79% of the 506 miles. It runs through 4 regions: Ica, Huancavelica, Ayacucho, Cusco. Of the 7 stops listed below, 5 are within a mile of the road.
Pisco to Quillabamba: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–5 | 5 | Ica |
| PE-28A | 5–55 | 50 | Ica |
| PE-28D | 55–121 | 66 | Huancavelica |
| PE-28E | 121–139 | 18 | Huancavelica |
| PE-28A | 139–219 | 80 | Huancavelica, Ayacucho |
| connecting roads | 219–221 | 2 | Ayacucho |
| PE-3S | 221–227 | 6 | Ayacucho |
| local roads | 227–234 | 7 | Ayacucho |
| PE-28B | 234–506 | 272 | Ayacucho, Cusco |
- Mile 55 of this route: Ica → Huancavelica (region line)
- Mile 144 of this route: Huancavelica → Ayacucho (region line)
- Mile 161 of this route: Ayacucho → Huancavelica (region line)
- Mile 174 of this route: Huancavelica → Ayacucho (region line)
- Mile 327 of this route: Ayacucho → Cusco (region line)
- Mile 332 of this route: Cusco → Ayacucho (region line)
- Mile 343 of this route: Ayacucho → Cusco (region line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Pisco and Quillabamba
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Band of Holes (mile 25), Tambo Colorado (mile 29), Zona Monumental de Carmen Alto (mile 219), Cathedral Basilica of St. Mary, Ayacucho (mile 221), Museo de sitio de Quinua (mile 236)
- Museums and history: Band of Holes (mile 25), Tambo Colorado (mile 29), Zona Monumental de Carmen Alto (mile 219), Cathedral Basilica of St. Mary, Ayacucho (mile 221), Wari (mile 232), Museo de Sitio de Wari (mile 232), Museo de sitio de Quinua (mile 236)
Band of Holes
In the Pisco Valley, the Band of Holes, also called Monte Sierpe or Cerro Viruela, is a line of roughly 5,200 human-sized, stone-lined pits whose makers and purpose remain unknown.
Tambo Colorado
Tambo Colorado is a well-preserved Inca adobe complex near the coast of Peru, also known by the Quechua names Puka Tampu and Pukallaqta.
Zona Monumental de Carmen Alto
Carmen Alto's monumental zone is the historic core of Carmen Alto district in Huamanga province, Ayacucho, recognized as part of Peru's national cultural heritage since December 1989.
Cathedral Basilica of St. Mary, Ayacucho
Also known as Huamanga Cathedral, this Baroque cathedral in Ayacucho was declared part of Peru's national cultural heritage in 1972.
Wari
Near the town of Quinua, 22 km northeast of Ayacucho, Wari was the capital of the Wari Empire and sits at 2,600 to 2,900 meters.
Museo de Sitio de Wari
Near the Wari archaeological complex in Ayacucho, the Museo de Sitio de Wari displays ceramics, bone remains and stone objects found during research excavations.
Museo de sitio de Quinua
In the Quinua District of Ayacucho, the Museo de sitio de Quinua is devoted to the Battle of Ayacucho, which ended Spanish rule in Peru, with a permanent exhibit of related objects.
More drives to Quillabamba
- Cusco to Quillabamba
- Andahuaylas to Quillabamba
- Abancay to Quillabamba
- Jauja to Quillabamba
- Tarma to Quillabamba
- Ica to Quillabamba
From Pisco to other places in Peru
- Pisco to Huaral
- Pisco to Barranca
- Pisco to Churin
- Pisco to Tarma
- Pisco to Cerro de Pasco
- Pisco to La Merced
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Pisco to Quillabamba?
About 13 h 12 min of driving without stops, over 506 miles.
What is the driving distance from Pisco to Quillabamba?
About 506 miles (815 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
Is it safe to drive from Pisco to Quillabamba?
The U.S. State Department rates Peru Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Parts of this route are in or near areas rated Level 4: Do Not Travel (Peru: Abancay, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, and Huancayo within the regions of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junín; Peru: the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), which includes Vilcabamba). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Pisco to Quillabamba use?
In order: PE-28A, PE-28D, PE-28E, PE-3S and PE-28B. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Pisco to Quillabamba?
Closest to the road: Tambo Colorado (archaeological site, mile 29, 0.2 mi from the route); Cathedral Basilica of St. Mary, Ayacucho (basilica, mile 221, 0.2 mi from the route); Museo de sitio de Quinua (museum, mile 236, 0.2 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on October 10, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.