Quillabamba to Huacachina is about 524 road miles (843 km): roughly 11 h 59 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: “Roads are often poorly maintained and may lack crash barriers, guard rails, signs, and streetlights.”
| Distance by road | 524 mi (843 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 11 h 59 min |
| Main roads, in order | PE-28B → AY-100 → PE-3S → PE-28A → HV-121 → HV-122 → HV-118 → I-C-106 |
| Regions on the route | Cusco, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, Ica |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 21.0 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
The Quillabamba–Huacachina drive in a few lines
PE-28B (219 mi) and PE-28A (101 mi) carry about 61% of the 524 miles. It runs through 4 regions: Cusco, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, Ica. Of the 6 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Quillabamba to Huacachina
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE-28B | 0–219 | 219 | Cusco, Ayacucho |
| local roads | 219–252 | 33 | Ayacucho |
| AY-100 | 252–277 | 25 | Ayacucho |
| connecting roads | 277–278 | 1 | Ayacucho |
| PE-3S | 278–307 | 29 | Ayacucho |
| connecting roads | 307–309 | 2 | Ayacucho |
| PE-28A | 309–410 | 101 | Ayacucho, Huancavelica |
| HV-121 | 410–419 | 9 | Huancavelica |
| HV-122 | 419–438 | 19 | Huancavelica |
| HV-118 | 438–485 | 47 | Huancavelica |
| I-C-106 | 485–513 | 28 | Ica |
| local roads | 513–524 | 11 | Ica |
- Mile 164 of this route: Cusco → Ayacucho (region line)
- Mile 173 of this route: Ayacucho → Cusco (region line)
- Mile 180 of this route: Cusco → Ayacucho (region line)
- Mile 355 of this route: Ayacucho → Huancavelica (region line)
- Mile 368 of this route: Huancavelica → Ayacucho (region line)
- Mile 386 of this route: Ayacucho → Huancavelica (region line)
- Mile 485 of this route: Huancavelica → Ica (region line)
Stops between Quillabamba and Huacachina
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Marayniyoq (mile 289), Cathedral Basilica of St. Mary, Ayacucho (mile 308), Zona Monumental de Carmen Alto (mile 309)
- Museums and history: Azángaro (mile 278), Tinyaq (mile 285), Marayniyoq (mile 289), Museo de Sitio de Wari (mile 296), Cathedral Basilica of St. Mary, Ayacucho (mile 308), Zona Monumental de Carmen Alto (mile 309)
Azángaro
Near Huari in the Huanta valley of Ayacucho, Azángaro is a Wari administrative center of about 8 square kilometers, with 340 similar buildings lining a central passage.
Tinyaq
Also known as Quri Willka, Tinyaq is an Inca-period archaeological site on a mountain of the same name in the Iguain District of Huanta Province, Ayacucho.
Marayniyoq
Marayniyoq, also written Marayniyoc, is an archaeological site in Peru's Ayacucho region on a plain called Vega Pampa, southeast of Huanta and southwest of Huamanguilla.
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.
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.
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.
When you get to Huacachina
Regional Museum of Ica "Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins"
Ica's regional archaeological museum, named for Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins, focuses on the different Indigenous cultures that lived in Peru.
St. Jerome Cathedral, Ica
Also called Ica Cathedral, St. Jerome Cathedral is a Catholic church in the city of Ica, Peru.
More drives to Huacachina
- Lima to Huacachina
- Huaral to Huacachina
- Barranca to Huacachina
- Churin to Huacachina
- Tarma to Huacachina
- Cerro de Pasco to Huacachina
From Quillabamba to other places in Peru
- Quillabamba to Ollantaytambo
- Quillabamba to Urubamba
- Quillabamba to Yucay
- Quillabamba to Maras
- Quillabamba to Chinchero
- Quillabamba to Písac
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Quillabamba to Huacachina?
About 11 h 59 min of driving without stops, over 524 miles.
What is the driving distance from Quillabamba to Huacachina?
About 524 miles (843 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 Quillabamba to Huacachina?
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 Quillabamba to Huacachina use?
In order: PE-28B, AY-100, PE-3S, PE-28A, HV-121, HV-122, HV-118 and I-C-106. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Quillabamba to Huacachina?
Closest to the road: Marayniyoq (archaeological site, mile 289, 0.4 mi from the route); Cathedral Basilica of St. Mary, Ayacucho (basilica, mile 308, 0.2 mi from the route); Zona Monumental de Carmen Alto (historic center, mile 309, 0.9 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.